Is beer good for UTI? - #12542
I am kinda in a pickle here and hope someone can help. I had this really bad UTI a few days ago, and it was no joke. The burning when I pee, constant urge, it was just awful. I went to the doc, got antibiotics, and am waiting for it to clear up. But here's the thing — last night, I was out with friends and they ordered beers. I know alcohol isn't great for irritation, but I just have this nagging question: is beer good for UTI? Like, will it make the whole situation worse or is there some other side of the coin? I mean, I’ve heard some people say that drinking beer can help flush out the system. But then again, I also read somewhere that it can mess with your hydration levels, which seems like the opposite of what you need right now, right? I really like to enjoy a cold one with my buddies and I just wanna know if I should totally avoid beer until this UTI clears up or if a little won't hurt. I’d love to hear what you all think about if beer is good for UTI or not, especially if anyone has had similar experiences. Would really appreciate any advice!
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors’ responses
Beer is generally not a good idea when you have a UTI, primarily because alcohol can act as a diuretic, which means it can increase urine production. While that might sound like it could help flush out bacteria, what it actually does is potentially lead to dehydration. Proper hydration is key when dealing with a UTI because enough fluids help keep the urine diluted, making it less likely for bacteria to thrive and more likely to be flushed out of your system. When you’re dehydrated, the urine becomes more concentrated, and this can escalate irritation or burning sensations you’ve been experiencing. Moreover, alcohol can further irritate the bladder lining, exacerbating symptoms like the pain and urgency to urinate. Since you’re currently taking antibiotics, avoiding alcohol would be wise—some antibiotics can interact poorly with alcohol, potentially leading to side effects or reduced effectiveness of the medication. For now, stick to water, herbal teas, or cranberry juice, which has been traditionally suggested to help with UTIs. Need to complete the entire antibiotic course as prescribed, and if you don’t see improvements or if symptoms worsen, revisiting your doctor would be necessary to ensure the infection is properly treated. Staying off beer until the infection has cleared up is definitely safer for your recovery and goodwill in the long run.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.