Drinking more water can prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in younger women

Increasing water intake helps prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in younger women with low fluid consumption, a JAMA Internal Medicine study finds.

Researchers randomised 140 premenopausal women who had at least three episodes of cystitis in the prior year, and no current symptoms, to drink an additional 1.5 L water daily or to consume fluids per usual for 12 months. All women reported drinking less than 1.5 L of fluids daily at enrollment.

The researchers conclude, "It seems appropriate for clinicians who counsel healthy women with recurrent cystitis to routinely ask about daily fluid intake and to recommend increased intake of water, especially in those who drink no more than 1.5 L of fluids daily, as a safe and inexpensive alternative to strategies that employ antimicrobials."