How much should you drink? Although about eight glasses (or 64 ounces) a day is a good starting point, Dr. Gormley says, it doesn’t hurt to drink a little more when you think you might have a UTI. A small 2018 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women with recurrent UTIs had fewer infections when they increased their intake by 1.5 liters per day for 12 months or more. Just be wary of drinking too much in the hope that this will resolve your issues. Overhydration can put strain on your kidneys and, in rare cases, lead to life-threatening water poisoning, known as hyponatremia. While there’s no set amount of water that will push you over the edge, know that the kidneys can process about a liter of fluid per hour (so drinking more than that puts you in the danger zone).

Dr. Botros also recommends limiting “bladder-irritating” foods and drinks, such as coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and carbonated drinks. And cranberry juice, often cited as a remedy for UTIs, may actually irritate more, adds Dr. Gormley. However, there is some evidence that cranberry juice and the extract itself may help prevent recurrent urinary infections– so just talk to your doctor about the best course of action.

Plus, you shouldn’t hold back, says Dr. Gaither. This is because urinating naturally flushes bacteria from the body, she explains, which can help reduce the risk of getting repeat infections. Refraining from peeing can help bacteria multiply.

Try an over-the-counter UTI medication.

Urinary pain relievers, such as phenazopyridine (better known as AZO, Uristat, or Pyridium), can help relieve the burning sensation of a UTI by numbing the urinary tract. “It can at least take the edge off things while you’re trying to let your body work,” Dr. Ackerman says. But it is important to note that these medications do not cure an infection.

Don’t worry, but they can also turn your pee a bright orange color, says Dr. Gormley. Urinary pain relievers often contain a dye that can stain your urine and tears. It can therefore appear on underwear and even tint your contact lenses. Another thing to note: you should only take them for more than two consecutive days. This is really just a way to relieve discomfort until your antibiotics take effect. Additionally, dye can sometimes interfere with the reliability of a urinalysis, which is a test that examines the appearance of your pee and checks for the presence of blood cells, proteins and other substances that may indicate a infection. However, these medications won’t affect urine culture results, she explains, so tell your doctor if you’re taking them before taking these tests.

Use a heating pad.

When you’re experiencing pain in your pelvic area, abdomen, lower back, and surrounding muscles, Dr. Ackerman says, “heating pads and warm baths” can help relax the muscles and minimize pain. (Here is 11 Heating Pads for Muscle Cramps and Pain.) Make sure your bath is warm and not hot to avoid burning your skin. And don’t soak for too long: your tub may be filled with bacteria (even if you can’t see it!), making it easy for it to reach your urethra. And definitely avoid bubble baths, as soapy water can irritate your urethra.

Practice mindfulness or breathing exercises.

It’s hard not to feel stressed when you’re sitting on the toilet, desperate to find a comfortable position. But taking steps to calm your mind and body can make things a little more bearable. Deep breathing, or breathing through the diaphragm, for example, has been shown to help some people manage chronic pain symptoms. (Here is five deep breathing exercises to calm you down.) A small study suggested that mindfulness-based stress reduction, or meditation, might help patients with bladder pain. (Here is seven simple mindfulness exercises to try.) “People really underestimate the value of mindfulness and breathing in these situations,” Dr. Ackerman says.