Can Vitamins Cause a UTI?

Original Date of Publication: August 10, 2023 

Original Author: Judy Blatman is OmegaQuant’s consumer health writer. Her blogs tee-up practical suggestions for health, with an emphasis on omega-3s and omega-3 testing, so readers can decide their own path to good health. Judy’s knowledge about dietary supplements developed during her 16 years spearheading communications for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, where she led an award-winning healthy lifestyle consumer education initiative focused on diet, dietary supplements and exercise. Learn more

Date of Review/Update: July 9, 2026

Reviewer: Stacy Cappadona MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS, TSAC-F 

Stacy Cappadona is OmegaQuant’s science writer and reviewer. She is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics. Stacy has spent most of her career supporting the health and performance of United States military communities, applying evidence-based nutrition strategies to meet the demands of high-stress, high-performance environments. Learn more

 

 

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common outpatient infection in the United States, especially among women (1). Between 50% and 60% of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime, and the prevalence among women over age 65 is roughly 20% (1). Furthermore, from 1990 to 2021, the burden of UTIs increased globally (2).

Not only are UTIs common, but they can also be quite serious, particularly for older adults or those with cognitive decline, who may be overlooked, misdiagnosed, or left untreated. While there are many risk factors that increase your chances of getting a UTI (we will talk about that more later), vitamin intake is not one of them. So why do some people say that taking certain vitamins causes bladder or urethral pain? Let’s talk about it.

VIDEO: Omega-3 and Early Onset Dementia

 

What is a UTI? 

UTIs are infections that occur when bacteria (e.g., E. coli) enter the urinary tract—which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Generally, the journey of a UTI starts in the urethra, the small tubes that carry urine out of the body and can be exposed to external bacteria. But if not stopped, it can travel up into the bladder and kidneys, where it can become more serious.

UTIs are classified based on where they occur and on symptoms and other complicating factors. According to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), UTIs can be classified as (3):

• Uncomplicated UTI: Infection confined to the bladder in women or men without a fever. Symptoms are confined to the urinary tract and may include discomfort during urination (dysuria), urgency, frequency, and lower abdominal discomfort and pressure.
• Complicated UTI: Infection beyond the bladder in women or men. Symptoms that suggest infection beyond the bladder may include fever, chills, back pain, and more.

 

Risk Factors for UTIs

In women, the urethra is shorter and much closer to the bladder than in men, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder and potentially travel farther into the urinary tract. So yes, just being a woman increases your risk of developing a UTI, but other risk factors can include the following (4).

• If you’ve had a recent UTI, the initial infection can disrupt bladder immunity or leave behind inflammation. Antibiotics taken for the initial UTI may also kill beneficial bacteria or fail to completely eliminate the bacteria responsible for the original infection. A recurrent UTI is defined as two or more UTIs within six months of each other, or three UTIs within a year.
• If you’re sexually active, be aware that intercourse can introduce bacteria into the urethra. A woman’s urethra is near her vagina and anus, areas where UTI-causing bacteria find a welcoming environment for growth.
• If you have an uncircumcised penis, the uncut foreskin provides a more hospitable environment for bacteria than a cut penis, so be sure to practice good hygiene in this area.
• If you are pregnant, those pregnancy hormones make UTIs more likely. And some pregnant women are not fully able to empty their bladder, thanks to an expanding uterus (with fetus) pressing heavily on the bladder. Apparently, leftover urine with bacteria can lead to a UTI.
• If you are hoping to avoid pregnancy by using spermicides or a diaphragm, you may be interfering with or eliminating the good bacteria that help prevent UTIs.
• If you are postmenopausal, your vaginal tissue becomes thinner and drier, creating a breeding ground for the “bad” bacteria to set up shop and posting a “welcome” sign for a UTI.
• If you have diabetes, you may have the one-two combo of a lowered immune system and nerve damage that leaves urine in your bladder, making it harder to clear out any bad bacteria that enter.

For more risk factors and other information about UTIs, visit the Office of Women’s Health UTI website. Still, nothing you’ve read so far explains why some experts suggest certain vitamins may be linked to UTIs.

VIDEO: Leading Researcher Breaks Down 8 New Studies on Omega-3

 

What is the Relationship Between Vitamins and UTIs?

Vitamins themselves do not cause UTIs. However, that doesn’t mean there is no relationship between vitamin intake and urinary tract symptoms. Some vitamins have, at least anecdotally, been associated with symptoms that can mirror UTI symptoms. For example, there are reports that patients who take high doses of vitamin C or provitamin A experience a sense of urgency, or the “need to go” (5). Furthermore, some are concerned that excessive vitamin B6 intake can affect the nervous system (6), potentially disrupting bladder control, leading to feelings of urgency or loss of control.

Does this mean these vitamins are causing a UTI? No. UTIs are caused by bacterial infection. Although these symptoms sound similar, they are not caused by a bacterial infection. Instead, they result from excessively high levels of these vitamins, which can increase urine acidity, irritate the bladder, or affect the nervous system. So, while high levels of these vitamins may cause symptoms that resemble a UTI, they are not actually an infection.

Fortunately, you are unlikely to reach vitamin levels this high through food alone. However, anyone taking vitamins as supplements should be cautious and work closely with their doctor.

There is, however, emerging research linking low vitamin D levels to UTIs. We’ve blogged about it before. But to expand on it briefly, a 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 studies, including over 1,900 participants, can shed some light on the topic (7). These researchers found that vitamin D insufficiency was associated with a significantly increased risk of UTI. Similar findings were observed in children (8). The authors attribute this relationship to vitamin D’s role in immunity. Decades of research have shown that vitamin D plays a protective role in innate and adaptive immunity, as well as in inflammation (9,10).

Furthermore, in 2021, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association between vitamin D status and lower urinary tract symptoms (11). Lower urinary tract symptoms are disorders related to storage or voiding, such as urinary urgency, frequency, incontinence, and nocturia (waking at night to urinate).

Again, these symptoms are similar to a UTI, but they are not caused by an infection. But vitamin D may help in these circumstances too.

Vitamin D receptors are found in the bladder, prostate, and pelvic floor and have been linked to urological disorders (12, 13). The researchers found that vitamin D insufficiency was associated with a higher likelihood of lower urinary tract symptoms (11). Furthermore, they found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of lower urinary tract symptoms in the general population (11).

So even though low vitamin D isn’t the cause of a UTI, it seems to play an indirect role in UTI risk by supporting immunity and helping with other lower urinary tract symptoms unrelated to a UTI. So, whether you’re experiencing urinary symptoms from a UTI or not, vitamin D may still be a good option for some relief.

VIDEO: What this Alzheimer’s Study Missed

 

What Foods or Beverages May Lead to Urinary Tract Symptoms?

Other foods or drinks that may irritate your bladder, leading to similar symptoms that you may see with a UTI, include (14, 15,16):

• Highly acidic drinks, such as citrus juices or tomato juices
• Caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea
• Alcoholic beverages
• Carbonated drinks
• Citrus foods
• Spicy foods
• Raw onions
• Artificial sweeteners

People who may be more susceptible to urinary tract irritation related to vitamins and dietary choices include those with other bladder conditions, such as painful bladder syndrome or overactive bladder syndrome.

VIDEO: What Influencers Get Wrong About Seed Oils

 

When Should You Seek Medical Attention for a UTI?

Although some home remedies may help with UTI prevention or discomfort, it’s important to seek medical attention if you suspect that you, or someone you care for, may have a UTI. Untreated UTIs may lead to permanent damage or more widespread infection.

Look for symptoms like burning or pain with urination, a strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away, urine that looks red, or pelvic pain. Pain on the sides of your lower back, fever, chills, and pain when urinating are signs that your UTI may have spread to your kidneys, so get in touch with your doctor immediately.

Caregivers should be on alert for UTI symptoms in infants, young children, and older adults, as they may not be able to express their symptoms easily. Getting medical attention sooner rather than later is important. And always talk to your doctor before started a new vitamin or supplement.

 

References:

1. Medina M, Castillo-Pino E. An introduction to the epidemiology and burden of urinary tract infections.Ther Adv Urol. 2019;11:1756287219832172. Published 2019 May 2. doi:10.1177/1756287219832172
2. He Y, Zhao J, Wang L, et al. Epidemiological trends and predictions of urinary tract infections in the global burden of disease study 2021.Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):4702. Published 2025 Feb 8. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-89240-5
3. Trautner BW, Cortes-Penfield NW, Gupta K, et al. IDSA 2025 guideline update on complicated urinary tract infections. Infectious Diseases Society of America. Published July 17, 2025. Accessed July 7, 2026.https://www.idsociety.org/practice-guideline/complicated-urinary-tract-infections/
4. Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updated May 4, 2026. Accessed July 7, 2026. https://womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections
5. Maserejian NN, Giovannucci EL, McVary KT, McKinlay JB. Intakes of vitamins and minerals in relation to urinary incontinence, voiding, and storage symptoms in women: a cross-sectional analysis from the Boston Area Community Health survey.Eur Urol. 2011;59(6):1039-1047. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2011.03.008
6. Healthdirect Australia.Vitamin B6 toxicity. Last reviewed October 2025. Accessed July 7, 2026. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vitamin-b6-toxicity
7. Deng QF, Chu H, Wen Z, Cao YS. Vitamin D and Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2019;49(1):134-142.
8. Gan Y, You S, Ying J, Mu D. The Association between Serum Vitamin D Levels and Urinary Tract Infection Risk in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutrients. 2023;15(12):2690. Published 2023 Jun 9. doi:10.3390/nu15122690
9. Schwalfenberg GK. A review of the critical role of vitamin D in the functioning of the immune system and the clinical implications of vitamin D deficiency.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011;55(1):96-108. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201000174
10. Hertting O, Holm Å, Lüthje P, et al. Vitamin D induction of the human antimicrobial Peptide cathelicidin in the urinary bladder.PLoS One. 2010;5(12):e15580. Published 2010 Dec 14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015580
11. Yuan P, Wang T, Li H, Lan R, Li M, Liu J. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association between Vitamin D Status and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.J Urol. 2021;205(6):1584-1594. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000001441
12. Lee HS, Lee JH. Vitamin D and Urinary Incontinence among Korean Women: a Propensity Score-matched Analysis from the 2008-2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.J Korean Med Sci. 2017;32(4):661-665. doi:10.3346/jkms.2017.32.4.661
13. Vaughan CP, Tangpricha V, Motahar-Ford N, et al. Vitamin D and incident urinary incontinence in older adults.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016;70(9):987-989. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2016.20
14. Trebelhorn J.Treating your overactive bladder with diet and supplements. Michigan Institute of Urology. Published 2025. Accessed July 7, 2026. https://www.michiganurology.com/treating-your-overactive-bladder-with-diet-and-supplements-blog/
15. Shorter B, Lesser M, Moldwin RM, Kushner L. Effect of comestibles on symptoms of interstitial cystitis.J Urol. 2007;178(1):145-152. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2007.03.020
16. Maserejian NN, Wager CG, Giovannucci EL, Curto TM, McVary KT, McKinlay JB. Intake of caffeinated, carbonated, or citrus beverage types and development of lower urinary tract symptoms in men and women.Am J Epidemiol. 2013;177(12):1399-1410. doi:10.1093/aje/kws411