Drink plenty of water
Urinate frequently; don’t hold urine
Use a heating pad or warm compress on the lower abdomen or back for discomfort
Consider over-the-counter phenazopyridine for short-term symptom relief (follow label directions)
Consider over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (if safe for you)
Take antibiotics as prescribed if a clinician confirms or strongly suspects a bacterial UTI
Finish the full antibiotic course even if symptoms improve
Avoid bladder irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
Avoid sexual activity until symptoms improve (or use barrier protection if you do)
If you get UTIs often, discuss prevention options with a clinician (e.g., vaginal estrogen for postmenopausal people, targeted antibiotics, or other prevention strategies)
Seek urgent care or emergency help if you have fever, chills, flank/back pain, vomiting, pregnancy, male sex, kidney disease, or severe symptoms
Get same-day medical evaluation if symptoms are new, worsening, or not improving within 24–48 hours
Do not self-treat with leftover antibiotics