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2022 Uqora Review Is It Effective Against UTIs

Medically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By Emma Caplan and Iman Balagam — Updated on October 13, 2022Share on PinterestWe include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are never a pleasant experience, and shockingly, they’re extremely common. UTIs occur when bacteria are pushed inside your urethra, causing an infection. The cause is often unknown, but common reasons include diet, hormones, gut imbalance, hygiene, travel, working out, and more. About 50 to 60% of women get them, yet most of the options out there focus on treatment, not prevention. Enter Uqora, a natural supplements brand that works to prevent UTIs before they begin by focusing on keeping your urinary health intact.

Pros and cons of Uqora

Pros

Free shipping is available on all orders. The online chat system offers quick responses to inquiries.All products come with a no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee. If you choose to purchase a subscription, you can save up to 35%.If you choose a bundle, you can save up to 20%.

Cons

Uqora hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat or prevent any disease.It can be cheaper to purchase D-mannose and multivitamins separately.Uqora products don’t target hormonal imbalances that could make you prone to UTIs. If the source of your infection isn’t E. coli, you may need to try another method of preventing UTIs.

What is Uqora

Uqora is a natural supplements company that focuses on developing supplements for UTI prevention. The brand was co-founded by Jenna Ryan and her partner, Spencer Gordon. Gordon has a background in biochemistry, so the two, alongside a team of urologists, began to research natural ways to prevent UTIs. The company launched in 2018 with Uqora Target, a preventive drink mix that helps flush the urinary tract. It has since been renamed Flush. Uqora focuses on UTI prevention rather than treatment, which is helpful, as constant trips to the doctor are often expensive and time-consuming. Not to mention, UTIs are painful and can lead to other concerns, like yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. The line is accessible to all sexes and is only sold on the company’s e-commerce website. You can purchase products individually, in a bundle, or through a subscription plan.

How does Uqora work

Uqora products target infections caused by E. coli bacteria — the bacteria responsible for about 80% of uncomplicated UTIs. The main ingredient in Uqora products is D-mannose, a sugar that works by binding with the bacteria that can cause UTIs and helping them get swept out with urine. If the source of your UTI is caused by bacterial biofilm that is already lodged in the bladder, D-mannose won’t work. It only targets free-floating bacteria. You can purchase D-mannose supplements from other sources, but Uqora products also contain vitamins, antioxidants, electrolytes, and natural diuretics that can help flush everything out quicker.

Who is Uqora good for

If you’re someone who regularly gets UTIs, it’s important to see a doctor so they can help you figure out the root cause of your infections. If the source is E. coli, Uqora could be helpful. If it’s not, you may need to try another method, such as focusing on your gut microbiome and vaginal health. None of Uqora’s products are guaranteed to prevent all UTIs, nor do they target bacterial or hormonal imbalances that can make you prone to UTIs. The ingredients in Uqora products are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, so they should be safe for most adults. However, it’s best to talk with your doctor before trying any supplement, especially if you take other supplements or medications.

Uqora products

FlushDefendPromoteWhat it’s forflushing urinary tractmaintaining a clear urinary tract each dayvaginal health through an antibiotic alternativePrice$30$30$30How to take itmix packet in water, drink every 3 days and after sextake 2 capsules daily with watertake 1 capsule daily with waterConsiderations
• may work better for younger people
• results may vary, but many buyers had positive experiences
• may cause mild stomach discomfort
• consistent usage won’t necessarily stop all UTIs
may be more effective when taken with Defend

Flush

Price: $30What it’s best for: flushing your urinary tract Flush, formerly known as Target, is Uqora’s first and most popular product. It’s a powdered drink mix meant to be consumed after having sex, working out, traveling, or anything that may put you at risk of a UTI. Just mix Flush into an 8- to 12-ounce glass of water and drink every few days. The company recommends consuming it every 3 days to flush your urinary tract, and also after sex and other times you may need support. The main active ingredient in this powder is D-mannose. Research from 2016 based on 43 women with a UTI found that after taking D-mannose, most had improved symptoms. However, this product is intended to be taken for UTI prevention, so it’s important to still see a doctor if you experience symptoms. Flush also contains vitamin C, which helps support the immune system, and vitamin B6, a natural diuretic that helps increase urinary flow.

Pros

helps prevent UTIstastes great, according to reviewers

Cons

may work better for younger peopleresults vary, but many users notice a difference Shop now at Uqora

Defend

Price: $30What it’s best for: maintaining a clear urinary tract each dayWhile Target flushes the urinary tract when you need support, like after intercourse, Defend (formerly known as Control) is designed to keep the urinary tract clear on a daily basis. Defend is a set of vegan capsules that are meant to continually cleanse biofilm and strengthen the bladder wall. Biofilm is a tool bacteria use to protect themselves and stay hidden. Microbial biofilms make it hard to treat UTIs, so Defend works to break down existing biofilm and prevent it from recurring. If you’re unsure what’s causing your UTIs, Defend may be a good choice for you, as it “helps keep your bladder clean in the face of hard-to-pinpoint things like stress, hormonal changes, and holding your bladder,” according to the company. The active ingredients in this product are black pepper powder, D-mannose, green tea extract, vitamin D3, and curcumin, which has been found to help reduce bladder infections in rats. Each bottle comes with a 30-day supply.

Pros

helps clean your bladder helps maintain good hygiene and hydration

Cons

may cause mild stomach discomfortwon’t necessarily stop all UTIs Shop now at Uqora

Promote

Price: $30What it’s best for: vaginal health through an antibiotic alternativeTypically, when you get a UTI, you’re prescribed an antibiotic, as it’s currently the most effective treatment. Unfortunately, antibiotics tend to kill helpful bacteria in the process, which then allows bacteria like E. coli to flourish. Probiotics allow good bacteria — and sometimes bad bacteria — to return. One such probiotic is Promote, a daily vegan probiotic for vaginal and urinary health. It’s not a digestive probiotic. Rather, it focuses on restoring and maintaining the good bacteria that balance the vaginal microbiome and protect you from future UTIs. You can take it along with your digestive probiotic. Promote consists of three strains of good bacteria to maintain a healthy vagina: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus reuteri. Each bottle comes with a 30-day supply, and you’re instructed to take 1 capsule with water daily.

Pros

helps promote overall vaginal health to reduce or eliminate UTIseasy to take orally

Cons

may be more effective when taken with Defendpricey Shop now at Uqora

Bundles

Price: from $40Uqora offers up to 20% off when you purchase more than one product within the same order. Or, by bundling all three products together, you can save about 32% of the cost of purchasing all three items separately. If you decide that you want all three of Uqora’s products, it may make the most financial sense to purchase the Complete System, which contains Flush, Defend, and Promote for $80. You can take all three of these products in the same day for maximum urinary support: Flush flushes the urinary tract, Defend cleanses biofilm from the urinary tract and cleanses the bladder wall, and Promote balances the vaginal microbiome. The only con with the bundles is that if you successfully prevent future UTIs, it’s nearly impossible to isolate which product made the biggest impact. Shop now at Uqora

Subscription

By choosing to go with a subscription plan, you can save up to 35%. After taking the quiz on the website to figure out your needs, you can then decide what products you want to bundle and how much you need. Target allows you to choose among 10, 20, or 30 packets, and you can change this amount at any time. If you choose the Complete System subscription, you’ll get a 1-month supply of Defend, a 1-month supply of Promote, and your selected choice of Flush packets. Your subscription renews every 4 weeks, and you have the flexibility to manage your shipment dates, renewal frequency, and products. Uqora sends you renewal notification emails a few days before your order renews. There are no penalties for canceling.

Uqora pricing and insurance

Flush retails at $30 for 10 packets, $55 for 20 packets, and $75 for 30 packets. A month’s supply of Defend or Promote comes out to $30. Signing up for a subscription plan allows you to save 15% individually, and 35% if you bundle all three items together. Uqora offers a student discount program. Reach out to their support team at [email protected] using your school email address. The brand doesn’t currently offer any free trials, but all of its products have a no-questions-asked free-return policy. Uqora’s products are health savings account (HSA) and flexible savings account (FSA) approved, which means that you can use your HSA or FSA card at checkout. To use your HSA dollars on the supplements, you’ll need your doctor to fill out this one-page form, which validates that they consider Uqora’s products to be medically necessary for your health.

Uqora s reputation

At the time of writing, Uqora doesn’t appear to have any pending lawsuits. Uqora has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, though it only has two customer reviews. The reviewers complain that they had a hard time canceling their subscriptions. All the ingredients in Uqora products are deemed GRAS by the FDA, but the products aren’t approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.

Safety of Uqora products

Uqora products are deemed safe for the general public, including for older adults, by the FDA. Products have undergone research and manufacturer testing and clinical trials, and no known adverse side effects for the ingredients’ concentrations have come up. That said, people do report that taking D-mannose (a Uqora active ingredient) at high doses can cause stomach pain or loose stool. So, it’s best to take Uqora Defend with food. With the appropriate dosage, ingredients in Uqora products have proven safe and effective in children from 4 years old and up weighing at least 45 pounds. However, it’s always best to talk with your child’s doctor if you have specific questions or concerns or if your child has pre-existing medical conditions.

Customer reviews of Uqora

There are currently more than 21,000 reviews on the Uqora website, with more than 18,000 5-star reviews. There are only a few negative reviews on the site. The consensus is that Uqora products, mainly Flush (formerly known as Target), work effectively to help prevent UTIs. Reviewers range from ages 21 to 80, so the products appear to be used by most age groups. A lot of testimonials claim that Flush changed their life and that they would recommend it to others. A common complaint is that the product is overpriced. You can purchase D-mannose and multivitamins separately for cheaper.

How does Uqora compare with competitors

Here’s a quick rundown on how Uqora compares with four competitors on the market when it comes to products, price, prescription requirement, and shipping cost. UqoraWispStixLove WellnessHum NutritionUTI products• D-mannose-based capsules
• D-mannose-based drink mix
• probiotics• antibiotics
• D-mannose capsules
• probiotics
• boric acid
• UTI testing sticks
• pH-balanced cleansing wipes
• D-mannose-based capsules
• UTI pain-relief tablets• cranberry extract-based capsules• probioticsStarting monthly price$30$9–$27$13–$19$24.99$26Prescription needednoonly for antibioticsnononoShippingfreefreefreefree for subscription orders over $35free for orders over $50

When to call a doctor

UTIs are very common and over-the-counter remedies like Uqora often help. But sometimes you may need to talk with a doctor for advice and prescription treatment. If you get severe or frequent UTIs (about three or more UTIs each year), or if home treatment simply isn’t helping, it’s time to make an appointment with a doctor.

Frequently asked questions about Uqora

Is Uqora a legitimate company

Yes, Uqora is a legitimate company offering products that help many users prevent UTIs. These products contain ingredients that are deemed GRAS by the FDA.

Does Uqora have any side effects

Uqora’s ingredients are recognized as safe by the FDA with minimum side effects. D-mannose, an active ingredient, can cause some gastrointestinal issues like bloating or loose stools. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor before taking D-mannose, as it is a form of sugar. Uqora also doesn’t specify which D-mannose they use. Since most D-mannose on the market is made from corn, it’s a possible allergen for many people. Uqora recommends checking in with your doctor before trying their products.

Does Uqora work for men

Yes. Flush and Defend can be used by anyone. Promote, a vaginal probiotic, can be used by anyone with a vagina.

How often can you consume Uqora

The brand recommends taking no more than 8,000 milligrams (mg) of D-mannose in a day. There are 600 mg in 2 capsules of Defend and 2,000 mg in a packet of Flush, so you’ll be well under that number even if you’re taking both capsules and a packet of Flush each day. The company recommends taking Flush at least every 3 days but says you can take it up to 4 times per day.

Can Uqora treat a UTI

No, Uqora cannot treat a UTI. Rather, Uqora products were developed to help prevent them. If you have UTI symptoms, it’s best to contact your healthcare professional.

What is the main ingredient in Uqora

D-mannose is the main ingredient in Uqora products. This is a sugar that combines with and helps clear out UTI-causing bacteria through urine.

Takeaway

While there’s not a ton of research on the effects of D-mannose when taken by people who have UTIs, preliminary research and thousands of positive reviews on Uqora’s website show it might be worth trying if you experience recurrent UTIs. Iman Balagam is a writer based in Houston, Texas. When she’s not laughing at her own jokes, or buying overpriced chia pudding, she can be found reading fiction novels, catching a spin class, doomscrolling through TikTok, or waiting for her delayed Spirit flight to board. You can see more of her work on her website. Last medically reviewed on October 13, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Al-Badr A, et al. (2013). Recurrent urinary tract infections management in women.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3749018/Domenici L, et al. (2016). D-mannose: A promising support for acute urinary tract infections in women. A pilot study.
europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2920-2925-D-mannose-a-promising-support-for-acute-urinary-tract-infections-in-women.-A-pilot-study.pdfKlein RD, et al. (2021). Urinary tract infections: Microbial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions and new treatment strategies.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7942789/Xue W-Y, et al. (2017). Intervention effect and mechanism of curcumin in chronic urinary tract infection in rats.
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1995764517307575?via%3DihubOur experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 14, 2022 By Emma Caplan, Iman Balagam Edited By Parisa Syed Medically Reviewed By Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP Copy Edited By Anne Arntson Jun 22, 2022 By Iman Balagam, Emma Caplan Edited By Melissa Lee Medically Reviewed By Alyssa Peckham, PharmD, BCPP Copy Edited By Sara Giusti VIEW ALL HISTORY Share this articleMedically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By Emma Caplan and Iman Balagam — Updated on October 13, 2022

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