How To Keep Your Bladder Microbiome Healthy

The human body is an epic combination of various microorganisms, each performing processes that help maintain wellbeing and ensure proper organ function. For instance, you might be familiar with the microbes in the stomach. However, gut microbes are also in the mouth, esophagus, intestines, and urinary region (via Bioscience Institute). These colonies of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, are known as microbiota, while their collective genome is called a microbioma or microbiome. Healthy bacteria make up the major part of the human microbiome. 

The urinary microbiota resides in the colon and bladder and is responsible for preventing serious urinary tract infections or vaginal issues, explains Bioscience Institute. Recent studies show that males and females have unique bladder microbiomes containing many microorganisms. A 2016 study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that adult non-pregnant women have a well-established female urinary microbiota (FUM) responsible for preventing urinary diseases. They further explained that these microorganisms may or may not be beneficial and can vary from person to person.

According to a 2016 study published in International Urology and Nephrology, you may want to increase your water intake as it can dilute levels of harmful bacteria in urine and keeps the bladder microbiome healthy. It's also necessary to treat urinary tract infections using antibiotics and ensure these harmful bacteria are gone for good and won't reoccur, per WebMD. Additionally, you can also opt for non-antibiotic supplements with cranberry or D-mannose (via Healthline). D-mannose is known for preventing bacteria from adhering to the walls of your bladder, explains WebMD.

Similarly, cranberry supplements are a better option than juice for keeping the bladder microbiome healthy thanks to their concentrated formulas (via Medical News Today). In fact, a single cranberry pill may provide as much benefit as 8 ounces of cranberry juice. In addition, a 2018 study published in Medical Hypotheses shared that probiotics may also play a vital role in preventing the risk of urinary tract infections for women, but more research is needed in this area. Medical News Today also recommends women pee right after sex as it helps flush out the harmful bacteria that might reach the urethra or bladder in order to prevent urinary tract infections.