If you’ve ever suffered from a urinary tract infection (UTI) or recurrent cystitis, you know how painful and disruptive they can be. The burning, the urgency, the discomfort. It can completely derail your day and your sense of control over your body. For many women, UTIs aren’t just one-off annoyances. They turn into a cycle of antibiotics, temporary relief, and then yet another infection. And if you’ve been stuck in that cycle, you know how exhausting it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I know that experience all too well. My own journey with chronic UTIs began when I was just 16. What started as a single infection quickly spiralled into something that dictated my life. I lived in constant anxiety, always bracing for the next flare-up. I stopped enjoying sex. I avoided holidays out of fear I’d get a UTI while away. I felt completely trapped.

Every time I went to the GP, I received the same dismissive advice:

“Make sure you’re wiping properly.”
“Maybe drink more cranberry juice.”
“You’re just one of those people who’s prone to them.”

I was repeatedly dismissed and quite honestly, medically gaslit. No one was addressing the real issue. I wasn’t being heard. I was being told that I was the problem.

Meanwhile, antibiotics were prescribed like sweets, bringing their own side effects: thrush, bacterial vaginosis, digestive issues, and a totally disrupted microbiome. I didn’t want another short-term fix. I wanted a long-term solution.

Searching for a Better Way

Determined to take back control, I started researching everything I could about UTIs, cystitis and bladder health. I spoke with urologists, gynaecologists, and functional health experts. I dove into clinical studies. I experimented with natural remedies. I rebuilt my gut and supported my vaginal flora.

I kept a journal and tracked everything: my hydration, supplements, flare-ups, even my stress levels. I trialled natural options like uva ursi, marshmallow root, and high-quality probiotics. Some helped, others didn’t, but over time, I started to see patterns.

One of the most impactful shifts I made was adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. I began focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods and cutting back on sugar, alcohol, and ultra-processed ingredients, all of which I noticed would often trigger symptoms or flare-ups. I started incorporating anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial foods like garlic, ginger, turmeric, and blueberries. I also leaned into omega-3-rich foods like flax seeds which helped support my immune system and reduce overall inflammation.

Gut health became another major focus. I began eating prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods daily, things like (green) bananas, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and greek yogurt. Not only did these help support my digestion, but I also learned that a healthy gut can positively influence the vaginal and urinary microbiomes. I looked for probiotic strains with research backing their ability to reach and support vaginal flora – like Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which I found especially helpful.

It was far from a quick fix. But the more I layered in these supportive foods and habits, the more stable and resilient my body became. What had once felt like an unpredictable and constant battle slowly began to feel more manageable, and eventually, completely under control.

A major turning point came when I met with a functional medicine specialist who introduced me to the concept of the urinary microbiome. That conversation changed everything. It was the first time someone connected the dots and treated me as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. It wasn’t about simply killing bacteria anymore; it was about restoring balance and building resilience.

I saw multiple specialists along the way: urologists, gynaecologists, even an immunologist. I went through invasive tests, endless cultures, and was once advised to take low-dose antibiotics every day, indefinitely. That suggestion felt like a dead end, not a solution. I left that appointment in tears.

Looking back, what struck me most was how little communication existed between disciplines. My urologist never asked about my gut health. My gynaecologist never considered my immune system. Everything was treated in isolation. But I was living the full picture and it was clear that the system wasn’t set up to treat complex, chronic issues like mine in a holistic way.

Piecing Together a New Approach

And slowly, things began to shift.

With the right combination of supplements, smarter hydration, targeted probiotics, and a deeper understanding of my body, I stopped getting infections altogether. I’ve now been UTI-free for over five years without antibiotics.

It all started with D-Mannose. I came across a study showing that it could help prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. I gave it a try and, for the first time in months, I didn’t relapse after sex or travel – a huge milestone. From there, I revisited Cranberry Extracts, which I’d used in the past without much luck. But this time, I made sure it contained a clinically validated dose of proanthocyanidins (PACs) – the potent antioxidants known for their anti-adhesive effect. Through my research, I realised not all cranberry supplements are created equal. Many cheaper versions don’t contain enough PACs to make a real difference. I also came across articles highlighting the role of Fennel Seed Extract in detoxification and its effectiveness against UTIs caused by E. coli, which made it a natural and evidence-backed addition to my routine.

Each ingredient had a purpose, but more importantly, each one had been tested by me, not just in a lab, but in real life. And when something didn’t work, I scrapped it. I wasn’t looking for magic. I was looking for consistency.

The Moment I Knew I Wasn’t Alone

But I knew I wasn’t alone. So many women are still stuck in the cycle. Still being dismissed. Still being told they’re “just prone to them.”

It started with a few text messages to friends, sharing what I was taking and what was finally working. Before long, people were reaching out to me with messages like, “I’ve got cystitis again, what did you do?” or “I’m stuck in this UTI cycle too. What helped you?”

I was surprised by how many of them had never heard of D-Mannose. Or that there was even such a thing as a urinary microbiome. I realised I had accidentally become the go-to person, the one who had figured it out. Not because I had all the answers, but because I had lived through the trial and error that no one else wanted to talk about.

I became the go-to person for advice, armed with the knowledge, experience, and tools to help others take control of their urinary health. I was no longer the one constantly suffering. I had become the bladder boss.

Eventually, friends started passing my supplement protocol to their friends and friends of friends. That’s when I realised this wasn’t just my story, this was a silent epidemic. And we were all just waiting for someone to speak up.

More Than a Product – A Mission

At first, I doubted whether I could turn my personal routine into something others could use. But with the help of a brilliant medical advisory board including urologists, gynaecologists, and nutritionists, I began to shape my homemade formula into something scalable, science-backed, and safe.

But more than anything, I wanted to create something I had desperately needed years ago: validation. A reminder that what we’re experiencing isn’t just in our heads. That recurring UTIs aren’t normal, and we deserve real solutions, not dismissal.

This journey taught me that healing doesn’t always come from a prescription. Sometimes, it comes from persistence, curiosity, and the courage to believe your body when no one else will.

Words by Olivia Wallis, Founder of Onoma