UTIs and Menopause: How Supplements Can Support Urinary Health Through Hormonal Changes

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UTIs and Menopause: How Supplements Can Support Urinary Health Through Hormonal Changes

It’s no secret that the body goes through some drastic transformations during menopause due to changing hormone levels. Rest assured knowing that it’s completely natural to experience unusual or uncomfortable symptoms as your body goes through this process. And while we all know about the most talked-about symptoms of menopause—such as hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain—just as many women experience some urinary health changes, too.

And yet, urinary health isn’t something many people like to talk about, even though it’s an important aspect of your overall health. If you notice an increase in urinary tract infections (UTIs), incontinence, or urinary frequency during menopause, don’t be alarmed. There may be things you can do to minimize your symptoms and continue living normally. Here’s what you should know about using supplements to support urinary health throughout menopause.

What Happens to Urinary Health During Menopause?

When going through menopause, the body produces less estrogen and progesterone. This leads to a weakening and thinning of the urethral and bladder tissues. As a result, many women experience increased urinary incontinence or urgency. Menopausal women also have a higher risk of developing occasional or chronic UTIs. Certain supplements may help boost urinary tract health throughout menopause and beyond.

Supplements That May Boost Menopausal Urinary Health

When you’re ready to take a proactive approach to urinary health and control of associated symptoms, you may want to incorporate specific supplements into your daily routine. Some of the best options include cranberry juice extract, probiotics, and pumpkin seed extract. Here’s how each of these supplements may help you stay more comfortable during menopausal hormone changes. 

Cranberry Juice Extract

Cranberry juice has a long history of use for preventing or treating UTIs. However, guzzling gallons of cranberry juice can have adverse health effects due to the high sugar content. That’s why many women choose to take a UTI supplement instead. As opposed to cranberry juice cocktail that you can find at your local grocery store, cranberry juice extract contains a more concentrated form of proanthocyanidins (the active component in cranberry juice).

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) may help prevent UTI-triggering bacteria from thriving in the bladder. Research shows that supplements containing at least 36 mg of PACs may notably reduce the risk of UTI development. Therefore, adding a cranberry juice extract supplement with at least 36 mg of PACs to your routine could help prevent unwanted UTIs.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can have a positive effect on the gut, urinary tract, and other body systems. They exist naturally in certain foods and beverages, including yogurt, sauerkraut, cottage cheese, tempeh, and kefir. However, it can be difficult to get sufficient probiotics from food alone. Taking a quality probiotic supplement may help support good digestion and urinary health through menopause.

While probiotic supplements aren’t powerful enough to fight off an acute UTI, they can be a great preventative tool. Regularly consuming probiotics containing Lactobacillus species can potentially prevent the overgrowth of infection-causing bacteria.

Pumpkin Seed Extract

During menopause, it’s not uncommon to experience more intense urinary urges. If you feel like you have to urinate all the time, but very little comes out, you may have an overactive bladder. Overactive bladder is common during menopause because of decreased estrogen, which can cause muscle or nerve changes in the bladder. Pumpkin seed extract may help curb symptoms of overactive bladder and restore urinary health.

Pumpkin seed extract comes from regular pumpkin seeds and is also known as Cucurbita pepo extract. It’s loaded with nutrients that reduce inflammation and swelling in the body. Some research suggests that it may also reduce symptoms of an overactive bladder. More research is needed to confirm the efficacy of pumpkin seed extract for overactive bladder. However, it certainly doesn’t hurt to give this remedy a try!

Other Ways to Improve Urinary Health

Besides taking the above supplements, there are other ways to improve urinary health during menopause. Consider making the following lifestyle changes:

• Stay hydrated to flush out harmful bacteria
• Do Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
• Consult a urologist as needed for persistent or severe UTI issues
• Consume a healthy diet that’s low in bladder-aggravating foods like carbonation, caffeine, sugar, and yeast

You should also try to consume more bladder-friendly foods like blueberries, watermelon, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale. Fiber-rich foods like potatoes, whole grains, and legumes can also support good urinary health.  

Conclusion

Your lifestyle and dietary choices can have a huge impact on your urinary and overall health. Consider incorporating one or more of the above supplements into your diet to support optimal urinary health during menopause and make your wellness a priority.