Uqora Reviews: Can Uqora help prevent UTIs?

If you suffer from urinary tract infections (UTIs), you’re not alone — UTIs are responsible for an estimated seven million office visits, one million visits to the emergency room, and 100,000 hospitalizations each year.1 Additionally, it’s estimated that 12.6% of women and 3% of men worldwide experience UTIs every year.2

If you experience recurrent UTIs, your doctor may put you on long-term antibiotics or refer you to a specialist like a urologist or urogynecologist. Some people may undergo urodynamic studies or even consider surgical options in order to prevent further UTIs. Beyond that, prevention options have been limited. (And, despite what you may have heard, cranberry juice doesn’t actually help prevent UTIs.)3

This gap in available options is what brands like Uqora are hoping to fill. Founded in 2017, the company offers several products designed to try and help people reduce UTI occurrences or make them less severe if they do happen. Our guide breaks down the information and science behind Uqora’s offerings to help you decide if it’s right for you.

If you suffer from recurring UTIs or are looking to prevent future ones, but long-term antibiotics aren’t appealing, then a preventative supplement regimen like Uqora’s may be a good option for you. While no supplement has been scientifically proven to prevent UTIs, the ingredients chosen by Uqora have seen positive results in several studies and trials.

Some of the products can get fairly expensive if you’re looking for maximum support, but all of Uqora’s other products are competitively priced, and everything ships for free. Competitors offer similar supplements, but none have the same combination of ingredients seen in Uqora’s three-step regimen.

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In this review of Uqora, our testing team evaluated the company based on the overall customer experience, the products themselves, and the latest scientific evidence and medical standards surrounding UTI treatment and prevention. We purchased and tried the products ourselves and analyzed dozens of studies to ensure our understanding of key ingredients is as thorough and up-to-date as possible. As the research evolves and changes, so too will the information you find in this review.

Additionally, this review, like all medical-related content on our website, was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.

When evaluating a product or service, we examine it based on various criteria. In the case of Uqora, we looked at it through the lenses of safety, effectiveness, cost, and convenience.

Supplements aren’t approved by the FDA, so the steps taken by Uqora to make sure its products are safe were most important to us.4 The effectiveness is a close second, however, especially when we’re talking about something as frustrating (and often painful) as UTIs. Cost and convenience are also important factors, overall, but not as much as safety and efficacy.

Safety

The ingredients of Uqora, along with every other competing product mentioned in this guide, are all Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Most, if not all, of the ingredients in Uqora’s Flush, Defend, and Promote are ones you’d find throughout your everyday diet — calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, potassium, and more. Even D-mannose (the ingredient in Flush and Defend that’s purported to help prevent or reduce the risk of UTIs) is a GRAS ingredient. The only hangup about safety regarding D-mannose is the potential to trigger reactions in those with corn allergies.

Uqora’s supplements are also produced in facilities that adhere to FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), as are those from competitors like O Positiv. GMP compliance ensures that “a product is safe for use, and that it has the ingredients and strength it claims to have.”5

Additionally, while this information can’t be found on Uqora’s website, its products are third-party tested for safety. Uqora’s supplements can also be found in CVS locations and on its website — and CVS requires that all vitamins and supplements it sells be third-party tested. We do wish this information was more readily available from Uqora itself, but it’s still nice to know.

Effectiveness

While none of the ingredients in Uqora’s three-step UTI prevention regimen are confirmed to help with UTIs, the company does back up its use of most ingredients with results from scientific studies. None of the competitors we mention throughout this guide provide similarly extensive evidence-based reasoning — the closest thing is O Positiv stating that the cranberry extract in the URO Urinary Tract capsules has been “extensively studied.” Other competitors, like Hers, simply say what certain ingredients are “known” to promote or lead to, which is a little vague.

Some of the ingredients in Uqora’s lineup that have seen positive study outcomes in regard to UTIs include:

• D-Mannose: Studies suggest it may reduce the occurrence and severity of UTIs.6 7
• Vitamin D: Research points to this vitamin potentially improving the integrity of your bladder walls.8
• Turmeric root extract (curcumin): Curcumin has been shown to help prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to your urinary tract.9

Cost

If you suffer from recurring UTIs, then you’re likely looking to find a long-term solution that’s both effective and affordable. A single purchase of either Uqora’s Defend ($30) or Promote ($30) is close in price to a one-time purchase of similar competitor products, like Stix’s UTI Daily supplement ($28) or O Positiv’s Urinary Health Capsules ($31). Flush, however, is where things can get expensive. This product is available in three quantities, depending on your needs — 10, 20, and 30 packets. Uqora states that the 30-packet option is for those who want “max support.”

The chart below breaks down the costs of Flush:

As you can see, getting “max support” is pretty expensive, and those with frequent UTIs most likely want the most support possible. A subscription does knock off over $10 for a 30-pack, but that’s still nearly double the prices offered by competitors. Only at the 10-pack price is Flush comparable in cost to rival products.

Other than product cost, Uqora does offer a 60-day money-back guarantee (same as O Positiv), free shipping on all purchases, and FSA/HSA eligibility on a majority of its products.

Convenience

Uqora is fairly convenient, especially if you sign up for a subscription. Many companies offer subscription options (like O Positiv and Stix), and this takes the hassle out of needing to remember to order more of your supplements every month. Uqora’s subscription has no commitment, it can be adjusted and scheduled as you like, and canceling is penalty-free.

If you run out of an item before your next shipment is due to arrive, you can adjust the date on the Uqora website, or check your nearest CVS store to see if it’s in stock there. Having multiple avenues for purchase is something we appreciate.

When it comes to the products themselves, the Defend and Promote pills are easy to swallow, based on our testing, and you only need to take one or two. Some competitor products, like Wisp’s D-Mannose, require you to take a lot of pills (in Wisp’s case, it’s five per day). Here’s a quick look at the size of the Defend and Promote pills from Uqora, for those who have difficulty swallowing pills; as you can see, both measure about 0.875 inches in length.

Flush, however, may or may not be convenient depending on your personal preferences — it’s a drink mix, instead of a pill. While the Flush packets are easy to open and the mix dissolves quickly, taking the time to mix a drink is more time-consuming than swallowing a pill and getting on with your day. If you’d prefer a pill, O Positiv’s URO Urinary Health Capsules or Stix’s UTI Daily Protection are the closest competitors.

Additionally, Uqora’s free shipping is relatively fast, and we received our order within about four business days.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system, most commonly caused by UroPathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC).10 21 While most UTIs involve the lower urinary tract (your bladder and urethra), the kidneys are also at risk of becoming infected.11 When the bladder or urethra are infected, a UTI may be painful and distressing but not necessarily dangerous — this changes, however, if the infection spreads to your kidneys, which can lead to serious health complications, like sepsis.11

Roughly 8-10 million people are treated for UTIs every year.10 Both men and women are at risk for getting urinary tract infections, but they’re more common in women due to factors such as:11

• Female anatomy: Women and people with female anatomy have shorter urethras that are closer to the rectum, giving bacteria easier access to the bladder.12
• Some forms of birth control: Diaphragms and spermicidal agents for birth control can increase UTI risk.
• Menopause: As estrogen levels drop, the resulting urinary tract changes can increase the risk of UTIs.

Some risk factors that can impact people of all sexes and genders include:11 12

• Having previous UTIs
• Sexual activity
• Age (older adults and younger children are at higher risk)
• Urinary tract structural issues or blockages
• A weakened or suppressed immune system, including from diabetes
• Having a catheter

UTI Symptoms

UTIs don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, but, when they do, the inflammation from the infection can lead to some of the following problems:10 11

• Pain or pressure in your pelvic area, abdomen, or lower back
• Cloudy urine
• Urinary incontinence, specifically urge incontinence
• Frequent urination
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Strong-smelling urine
• Urine that looks red, bright pink, or dark brown

If a UTI spreads to the kidneys, symptoms may also include:11

• High fever
• Shaking or chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If you believe you’re suffering from a UTI, it’s recommended you reach out to a healthcare professional for prompt treatment to prevent any serious complications.

UTI treatment and prevention

If your doctor confirms that your UTI requires treatment, you will likely be placed on a course of antibiotics for about a week or so.13 If you experience frequent or recurring UTIs, your healthcare provider may put you on a low-dose antibiotic treatment (such as methenamine) for a few months.13 14

A common myth is that cranberry juice can treat or prevent UTIs. While cranberry juice does contain proanthocyanidins (a chemical compound that gives cranberries their red color) that can stop bacteria from sticking to the bladder's walls,15 16 studies are largely inconclusive on the ability of cranberry products to prevent or treat UTIs.17

However, one of the compounds naturally found in cranberries has seen more success in studies for potentially reducing the risk and severity of UTIs.6 7 18 D-mannose is a monosaccharide, or simple sugar, that can be found in various fruits and vegetables (like cranberries, apples, peaches, tomatoes, and more). The bioavailability of D-mannose from dietary sources, though, is considered to be poor, so supplementation may be an ideal solution for those looking to increase their levels in an attempt to ward off UTIs.6

It’s important to note that studies have found a dose of 0.2g of D-mannose per kilogram of body weight to be the upper limit for daily consumption,19 and higher doses can lead to gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea or bloating.6 We did the math to calculate the upper daily limit based on a handful of body weights to make it a bit easier to understand:

• 100lbs: 9g
• 150lbs: 13.6g
• 200lbs: 18.2g
• 250lbs: 22.8g
• 300lbs: 27.2g

When supplemented, D-mannose is not fully metabolized, and any excess (20-35% of whatever dose you take) enters your urine within about an hour.6 This was originally discovered in a 1933 study and is believed to be how D-mannose effectively interacts with and lowers the pathogenic effect of UroPathogenic E. coli (UPEC) — the culprit behind most UTIs.20 21 More research is needed to fully understand exactly how D-mannose affects UPEC, but some studies suggest that it may stop the bacteria from adhering to the cells lining the urinary tract.22

Uqora’s Flush and Defend both contain D-mannose, but you can also find it as part of competing products such as Stix’s UTI Daily Protection Supplement or O Positiv’s URO Urinary Health Capsules. Some brands also offer D-mannose on its own, like the telehealth service Wisp.

Founded in 2017, Uqora is a San Diego-based company that specializes in over-the-counter urinary health supplements with a focus on UTI prevention. Partners Jenna Ryan and Spencer Gordon were inspired to start the brand after Ryan experienced multiple UTIs throughout 2014. Not wanting to rely on long-term antibiotics, the two combined Gordon’s biochemistry background and recent research on UTI treatments to experiment with possible natural solutions. From all of this, Uqora and its first product, Target (now Flush), were born.

As of the writing of this guide, Uqora offers six products:

• Flush: “Step 1” of Uqora’s UTI prevention regimen. A pink lemonade-flavored drink mix intended to help flush the urinary tract.
• Defend: “Step 2” of the lineup. Capsules with ingredients purported to remove biofilm and support the integrity of your bladder walls.
• Promote: “Step 3.” A probiotic to help maintain beneficial vaginal bacteria.
• UTI Emergency Kit: Labeled as “reactive support” for current UTI sufferers, this kit includes test strips, tablets for infection control, and pain relief to hold you over until you can see a doctor.
• Wipes: A pack of 20 wipes for freshening up as needed.
• pH-Balanced Vulva Cleanser: An unscented vulva wash intended to help maintain a healthy vaginal pH.

Besides the Uqora website, you can also find Flush, Defend, Promote, and the UTI Emergency Kit at CVS stores and online. Prices are the exact same for non-subscription, single-item purchases from Uqora and those made at CVS.

Who is Uqora for?

Uqora is for non-pregnant, non-breastfeeding adults of any sex or gender that experience UTIs or want to try to better their urinary health. If you have recurrent UTIs and don’t want to go on long-term antibiotics, like the company’s founder, Uqora may be worth a shot. No matter your reason for wanting to try it, it’s recommended you speak with a healthcare professional before starting Uqora or any new supplement.

Who should avoid Uqora?

If you’re currently experiencing a UTI, ensure you receive proper medical treatment before taking Uqora. It shouldn’t be used in place of treatment by a doctor, and delayed UTI treatment can lead to serious health complications.

All of the ingredients in Uqora’s supplements are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, but there are some cautionary guidelines regarding D-mannose for certain populations:6

• Those with diabetes: Since D-mannose is a sugar, it might affect blood glucose levels.
• People with kidney issues: Some researchers warn about potential injuries or impacts on the kidneys if taken in high doses. Those with kidney issues may want to exercise extra caution and speak with a doctor before taking D-mannose.
• Children: Not enough is known about D-mannose for it to be appropriate for children.
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding: D-mannose should be avoided. A 2014 study on mice with an inherited condition called MPI-CDG found that D-mannose supplementation led to higher instances of embryonic lethality and eye defects.23 Of course, more research is necessary to determine the effects on human embryos and infants.
• Those with a corn allergy: A majority of the D-mannose found on the market is derived from corn.
• People with FODMAP sensitivities: D-mannose is a polyol (the P in FODMAP).39

Below are some other tidbits of information to know about Uqora’s products that may help you determine whether or not certain items are for you:

• Uqora’s products are all gluten-free.
• Defend contains curcumin, which may cause blood thinning.
• Both Flush and Promote are vegan-friendly. Defend’s vitamin D comes from sheep’s wool, making it unsuitable for vegans, but fine for vegetarians.
• Uqora recommends that those with male anatomy skip Promote, as the specific probiotic blend is intended for vaginal health.
• And lastly, the UTI Emergency Kit’s pain relief tablets contain dairy.

Uqora online reviews

On Trustpilot, Uqora has a 3.7-star rating based on a single five-star review. While this may seem strange, Trustpilot explains that the age and number of reviews play into the total rating. Uqora is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but has an A- BBB Rating and a customer star rating of 1.5 based on two reviews. There are also three customer complaints, all regarding subscription issues and all responded to and resolved by the business within a day or two.

As you can see, neither Trustpilot nor the BBB have many reviews of the product to speak of. If you check the CVS website for Uqora, you can find substantially more customer reviews of the actual products — with Flush (767 reviews), Defend (520 reviews), and Promote (250 reviews) all sitting at five stars. Most customer complaints are about the products not working for them, with a couple of Flush and Defend reviews noting allergic reactions from D-mannose due to corn allergies.

Uqora’s Flush (previously known as Target), is a drink mix that comes in individual packets. You can purchase these packets in quantities of 10, 20, or 30. If you’re wondering how much you should buy, Uqora's recommendations on the Flush product page are as follows:

• If you’re not sexually active, purchase 10 packets and drink Flush every three days.
• If you are sexually active, get 20 packets, then drink Flush every three days and right after sex.
• If you want “max support,” then purchase the 30-count and drink Flush daily.

To take Flush, you mix a packet of powder into an 8-12oz glass of water and drink. In our testing, we mixed a packet into a 10oz glass of cold water. The powder dissolved impressively quickly compared to other powdered supplements we’ve tried in the past, and it tasted like a very mild, watered-down pink lemonade. Testers described it as a relatively pleasant taste, but not something you’d crave. There was no aftertaste or strange texture.

Ingredients

In the chart below, we break down Flush’s ingredients and explain if there’s any scientific link to better urinary-tract health.

Uqora’s Flush contains more ingredients than similar competing products like O Positiv’s URO or Stix’s UTI Daily Protection (both of which also have vitamin C and D-mannose). However, the additional Flush ingredients seem to be more about fluid balance than UTI prevention.

Cost

Flush’s prices are broken down in the chart below, including potential subscription savings. Shipping information isn’t included, however, because Uqora products always ship for free.

To put it plainly, Flush can be really expensive — especially when compared to competing products. A one-time purchase for a month’s worth of URO is $31.99, and a month of Stix’s UTI supplement is $28.00. Flush does, technically, have more D-mannose in it than URO (500mg) or Stix’s supplement (1g), but if you want the 30-packet “max support” from Flush, then it’s about two and a half times more than those competitors. However, if you purchase the 10-packet variety of Flush and take it every three days as recommended, then the cost difference is almost nonexistent.

Additionally, Uqora’s Flush is FSA/HSA eligible and is covered by the company’s 60-day money-back guarantee.

Uqora’s Defend (previously called Control) is intended to help “cleanse biofilm & support bladder wall integrity.” But what exactly is biofilm?

Microorganisms don’t actually exist as single cells, but rather merge together to form a type of “sludge” that’s also known as “biofilm.” Biofilms are basically communities of cells that stick to the surface of other cells (like those of your urinary tract) and can lead to persistent, recurring infections.28 Studies have shown these biofilms are fairly resistant to antimicrobial treatments, such as antibiotics. This is why some researchers believe biofilms, particularly those made of E. coli, contribute to a higher incidence, recurrence, and complication risk of UTIs. Defend aims to break down existing biofilms and prevent new bacteria from forming new biofilms in the future.

Defend is only available in one quantity (one month’s worth), and taking it is fairly straightforward — you swallow two capsules per day. Perhaps due to the inclusion of black pepper, the capsules actually smell vaguely spicy. But, fear not, they certainly don’t have any kick to them. Testers had no issue swallowing the pills and found them to be virtually tasteless.

Ingredients

In the chart below, you’ll find Defend’s ingredients along with information on whether or not they can impact your urinary health or prevent UTIs.

The only other competing product mentioned in this guide that contains similar ingredients is Stix’s UTI Daily Protection Supplement, which has 50mg of turmeric root extract and 5mg of BioPerine black pepper extract.

Cost

Defend’s prices are broken down in the following list:

• One-time purchase: $30.00
• Subscription: $25.50

Uqora’s shipping is free for its products and, along with Flush and Promote, Defend is FSA/HSA eligible and included in the company’s 60-day money-back guarantee. As stated above, the only similar competitor mentioned in this guide is Stix’s UTI supplement, which is $28.00, also ships for free, and is FSA/HSA eligible. The prices of both products are fairly similar, so it really comes down to your preferences.

Uqora’s Promote is aptly named, as its intended use is to help promote healthy vaginal bacteria that are often negatively affected by the antibiotics used to treat UTIs. Killing off the “good” bacteria can create an environment where the “bad” bacteria, like E. coli, can thrive. Some studies have also indicated a sizable reduction in UTIs for women who took probiotics versus those who took a placebo.36

If you have male anatomy, then Uqora recommends skipping this part of its three-part UTI prevention lineup due to it being tailored for vaginal health, specifically.

Like Defend, Promote is only available to purchase as a one-month supply. Uqora recommends you take a single Promote capsule once per day. Our testers had no issue taking these pills — there were no complaints about swallowing difficulties or strange tastes.

The capsules are roughly the same size as the Defend ones, and they smell (perhaps unsurprisingly) a little like plain yogurt. But, even though they might vaguely smell like yogurt, there is no dairy in Promote or any of Uqora’s three-step line of products.

Ingredients

The probiotic blend of Promote contains 10 billion CFU (colony-forming units) or 80mg of:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus reuteri

All of the above Lactobacillus derivatives are part of the diverse colony of microorganisms found in the human vagina. Some research shows that they may possess anti-biofilm, antioxidant, and pathogen-inhibiting properties. It’s also been suggested that maintaining “vaginal homeostasis” through a Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiome could reduce the risk of UTIs.37

Cost

Promote, like Defend, only has two different prices depending on if you purchase it once or subscribe.

• One-time purchase: $30.00
• Subscription: $25.50

Uqora’s Promote is FSA/HSA eligible, ships for free, and is covered by the company’s 60-day money-back guarantee. Some similar competitor products include O Positiv’s URO Vaginal Probiotic Capsules and Hers’ Start Women’s Probiotic. Both the URO Vaginal Probiotic and Hers’ Start contain L. rhamnosus, like Defend. But the URO probiotic also contains L. acidophilus, L. reuteri, and L. fermentum — the last of which isn’t found in Defend.

The URO probiotic costs $31.99 for a single-bottle purchase and $26.99 for a subscription, while Hers’ Start probiotic is $25.00, with no subscription available.

Uqora's website offers four different product bundles and three add-on products. The bundles (which can only be bought through Uqora, not CVS) have different groupings of the three-step products; details and prices are as follows:

Uqora also offers three add-on products: a UTI Emergency Kit, wipes, and a pH-balanced cleanser. You can purchase the UTI kit from Uqora or CVS, but the wipes and cleanser are exclusive to the Uqora site.

The chart below breaks down some of the differences between a few Uqora alternatives you can find on the market. Also, note that prices are for single-item purchases.

While none of the above competitor products offer all of the same potential benefits as the full Uqora regimen, you may prefer the ingredients or prices of these items. Flush, for example, can be very expensive if you want to take it daily ($75.00 for a one-time 30-packet purchase). This cost may make a rival product like O Positv’s URO Urinary Health Capsules ($43 less) or Stix’s UTI Protection Supplement ($47 less) seem like a better deal.

Other than the higher quantities of Flush, Uqora’s regimen products are fairly close in price to the competition. Additionally, Uqora’s return policy is equivalent to O Positv’s, and most of its products are FSA/HSA eligible, like those from Stix. The convenience of a Uqora bundle and subscription, however, does set it apart from the competition along with its wider range of ingredients included in the complete regimen.