If you’re struggling with recurring UTIs, this functional medicine Toronto article may motivate you to help prevent future infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when a bacterial infection is present in the urinary tract. Close to 80% of these infections are caused by E. coli, though fungi and viruses can also cause these infections. 

UTIs are recurrent when they happen twice in six months or three times in 12 months. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for UTIs to become chronic in women, as, close to 44% of women with a single UTI will experience a relapse. Thus, some people will opt into functional medicine therapies for treatment, especially to tackle the root cause and prevention of UTIs. 

We briefly feature facts about these infections, tips to promote deterrence, and what our patient-centred clinic can offer you. 

Crash Course on Chronic UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) appear frequently in women due to anatomy; the female urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.. Also, the opening of a female’s urethra is situated near the anus and vagina, which boosts the susceptibility to form these infections. And it’s not unusual for postmenopausal women to form these infections, too, as declining estrogen levels modify urethral and vaginal tissues; these changes can boost the chances of forming a UTI. 

Urinary infections may reappear (become chronic) due to: 

• • Incorrect use of antibiotics
  • Poor hygiene practices (i.e. wiping “back to front”)
  • Transferring bacteria via sexual activities 
  • Being infected by certain bacteria, including staphylococcus
  • Kidney stones
  • Vaginal atrophy
  • Not emptying your bladder often, which can encourage bacteria to thrive
  • Potentially due to steroid prescription medications and immunosuppressants

Symptoms include painful and/or bloody urination, pelvic-area pain, fatigue, chills, frequent urge to pee, and/or urinary incontinence. As a result, chronic UTIs can impede optimal health outcomes, hindering daily living. 

Integrative Functional Medicine Strategies for Preventing UTIs

Studies have posited that an integrative medicine approach to UTIs may be effective for treatment and prevention, especially for targeting antibiotic-resistant UTIs. When the integrative functional medicine model is applied, a patient’s biology must be carefully scrutinized, helping to comprehend the root cause of symptoms. 

Prior to prescribing therapies, functional medicine practitioners must understand a patient’s current health condition, diet, genes, lifestyle/environmental factors, medical history, etc.; then functional lab tests can come into play. Depending on your health needs, our clinic may recommend these tests – among others – for exploring the root cause of UTIs: 

• • DUTCH hormone testing: Estrogen and progesterone imbalances can affect the urinary tract. Especially if you’re struggling with menopausal symptoms, this test can measure hormone levels to indicate if wonky levels are potentially causing UTIs.  

• • GI-Map (Diagnostics Solutions): Unwanted pathogens in the gut and vagina can cause chronic UTIs. This test involves submitting a stool culture to help detect parasites, fungi, etc. and understand if your microbiome state is causing UTIs. 

After reviewing your lab reports, a treatment plan for preventing UTIs can be arranged. Some of these tailored tips may include: 

• • Herbal supplementation: Garlic is an example of a plant-based medicine that can potentially help combat (and avoid) UTIs. Garlic contains sulfur-containing compounds that promote antimicrobial actions; due to its powerful effects on UTIs, scientists deem that garlic could be beneficial for other microbial infections. 

• • Probiotics: Lactobacilli is a group of ‘good’ bacteria in the vagina. Supplementing with them via probiotics may be beneficial if you’ve had prolonged use of antibiotics. Antibiotics can disrupt your microbiome, and lacking Lactobacilli can increase your susceptibility to forming recurrent UTIs. 

• • Hormone optimization programs: A hormone therapy can be tailored for low estrogen levels. An example is, “Vaginal estrogen therapy [which] is safe and extremely efficacious in treating these symptoms and lowering the risk of UTIs,” states a paper from Reviews in Urology. 
  • Taking D-mannose: D-mannose is a natural sugar derived from fruits. Studies show that this supplement may be promising for preventing UTIs, as the sugar can stop bacteria from attaching to the cells in your urinary tract lining. 

The strategies above may or may not apply to you, as treatments are prescribed by us for biological needs. So, let’s collaborate to improve your quality of life! The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre welcomes you to become a new patient. 

Suggested reading: What is Camu Camu? A Guide to This Superfruit for Functional Medicine Toronto Therapies

Personalize Your Therapies for Digestive Issues, UTIs, Brain Care, and More

By understanding your shortcomings (i.e. nutrient deficiencies), it’s possible to tackle a wide variety of discomforts, such as brain fog, fatigue, concentration issues, high blood pressure, and more. This is what the functional medicine approach to wellness offers patients, and it’s something that our clinicians are passionate about!

Our integrated health care model is designed to provide education to patients while helping them take charge of their health. We can integrate several treatment options into one customized plan, combining conventional healthcare with Traditional Chinese Medicine, naturopathic remedies, hormone optimization programs (i.e. bioidentical hormones), psychotherapy, botanical supplementation, IV drip therapies, and more. 

Having access to natural solutions for symptoms is important to us and our patients – which is why we have supplements available to purchase in our clinic. Our patients also have access to our IV Lounge, which is where you can sit back, relax, and reflect on your health goals while nourishing your body with intravenous nutrients. When IV drips are combined with healthy lifestyle factors and additional functional medicine therapies, they can contribute to optimal health results. 

If you’re struggling with a poor diet and other unhealthy lifestyle choices, ask yourself this: what’s stopping you from improving your current lifestyle? Take measures to prevent chronic conditions now – let’s talk about this during your 1st appointment at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre. Just click here to fill in our contact form to set up your consult! 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

“5 tips to prevent a urinary tract infection” from the Mayo Clinic Health System, posted on June 28, 2022, viewed on March 24, 2025.

Aggarwal N, Leslie SW. Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. [Updated 2025 Jan 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557479/

Brubaker, Linda MD*; Carberry, Cassandra MD*†; Nardos, Rahel MD‡; Carter-Brooks, Charelle MD§; Lowder, Jerry L. MD∥. American Urogynecologic Society Best-Practice Statement: Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Adult Women. Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery 24(5):p 321-335, 9/10 2018. | DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000550

Cooper TE, Teng C, Howell M, Teixeira-Pinto A, Jaure A, Wong G. D-mannose for preventing and treating urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Aug 30;8(8):CD013608. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013608.pub2. PMID: 36041061; PMCID: PMC9427198.

Garofalo, L., Zwickey, H., Bradley, R., & Hanes, D. (2021). Naturopathic Management of Urinary Tract Infections: A Retrospective Chart Review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 27(12), 1116. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2021.0163

Gupta, V., Nag, D., & Garg, P. (2017). Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women: How Promising is the Use of Probiotics? Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 35(3), 347-354. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmm.IJMM_16_292

Lenger SM, Bradley MS, Thomas DA, Bertolet MH, Lowder JL, Sutcliffe S. D-mannose vs other agents for recurrent urinary tract infection prevention in adult women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Aug;223(2):265.e1-265.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.048. Epub 2020 Jun 1. PMID: 32497610; PMCID: PMC7395894.

Mansour, A., Hariri, E., Shelh, S., Irani, R., & Mroueh, M. (2014). Efficient and Cost-Effective Alternative Treatment for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections and Interstitial Cystitis in Women: A Two-Case Report. Case Reports in Medicine, 2014, 698758. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/698758

“Recurrent UTI” from the Cleveland Clinic, reviewed January 28, 2025, viewed on March 23, 2024. 

Renard, J., Ballarini, S., Mascarenhas, T., Zahran, M., Quimper, E., Choucair, J., & Iselin, C. E. (2014). Recurrent Lower Urinary Tract Infections Have a Detrimental Effect on Patient Quality of Life: A Prospective, Observational Study. Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 4(1), 125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-014-0054-6

Rosenblum N. Update in Female Hormonal Therapy: What the Urologist Should Know: NYU Case of the Month, December 2020. Rev Urol. 2020;22(4):182-185. PMID: 33927578; PMCID: PMC8058921.

Stothers, L. (2009). Should hormone replacement therapy be used in postmenopausal women for voiding dysfunction? Canadian Urological Association Journal, 3(2), 150. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.1049

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). “Using garlic to combat antimicrobial resistant urinary tract infections.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 July 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150710101332.htm>.

Wagenlehner, F., Lorenz, H., Ewald, O., & Gerke, P. (2022). Why d-Mannose May Be as Efficient as Antibiotics in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Lower Urinary Tract Infections—Preliminary Considerations and Conclusions from a Non-Interventional Study. Antibiotics, 11(3), 314. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11030314