Ways to Relieve UTI Pain and Urgency At Night

A UTI is a urinary tract infection. It can be an infection in any part of your urinary system, including your bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters.

Some of the common symptoms that can make it difficult to sleep at night include:

pelvic discomfort
persistent urge to urinate
burning sensation when urinating
frequent urination (small amounts)

Medical treatment for nighttime UTI symptoms

The first step to relieving UTI discomfort at night is to see your doctor about knocking out the infection.

Stopping the infection

Based on your current health and the type of bacteria in your urine, your doctor might recommend antibiotic medication for a simple UTI, such as:

ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
cephalexin (Keflex)
fosfomycin (Monurol)
nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)

If you have a complicated UTI or kidney infection, your doctor may prescribe a type of antibiotic called fluoroquinolones, such as levofloxacin (Levaquin) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

To reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance, you should receive the shortest treatment course possible. Effective treatment typically takes no more than 7 days.

There are also other medications available for treatment that are not antibiotic based.

Relieving the pain

Discomfort is typically relieved within a couple of days of starting the antibiotic, but your doctor may also suggest an analgesic (pain medication).

Antibiotics arenâ€™t the only option and there are other prescription medications available to treat UTIs.

Many UTI analgesics include phenazopyridine for relief from the pain, itching, burning, and urinary urgency. Itâ€™s available in both prescription and over-the- counter (OTC) forms.

Self-care remedies for nighttime UTI symptoms

To help your recovery, you need to rest. But it can be difficult to sleep with some of the uncomfortable symptoms that may accompany a UTI.

Here are some things you can do at home to help you sleep comfortably:

Drink plenty of water during the day to help flush out bacteria.
Avoid alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks that contain caffeine or citrus juice. These tend to irritate your bladder and aggravate the urgency and frequency of your need to urinate.
Drink less fluids before bed.
Use an incontinence pad or wear incontinence pants. These can lessen the concern of urinating in your sleep or give you the option of not getting out of bed to urinate.
Use a hot water bottle or heating pad to warm your abdomen to minimize bladder discomfort or pressure.
Completely empty your bladder before bed.
Take your antibiotics as instructed by your doctor.

If your doctor hasnâ€™t prescribed pain medication and you feel it would help you sleep, ask them for a recommendation for either OTC or prescription pain medications.

Steps you can take to avoid a UTI

To reduce your risk of getting a UTI, there are specific lifestyle steps you can take, including:

Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
Drink cranberry juice. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies arenâ€™t conclusive about cranberry juice preventing UTIs, but itâ€™s unlikely to be harmful.
Wipe from front to back after urinating and bowel movements.
Empty your bladder before and after sexual activity.
Take showers instead of baths.
Avoid potentially irritating feminine products, such as deodorant sprays, douches, and powders, in the genital area.
Change tampons regularly.
Switch your birth control method. Condoms and diaphragms can contribute to bacterial growth.
Wear cotton underwear and clothing thatâ€™s loose fitting.

Key takeaways

Some of the uncomfortable symptoms of a UTI can interfere with sleep.

Once your doctor has diagnosed and recommended treatment for your UTI, talk to them about steps you can take to make sleeping easier. They can recommend prescription or OTC pain medications. You can also try heating pads and hot water bottles.

Once youâ€™ve recovered from your UTI, here are some steps you can take to help avoid another one:

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