Although standard UTI therapy starts with antimicrobial therapy, alternative strategies are available to reduce exposure to antibiotics, such as the use of methenamine salts, probiotics, cranberry juice, immunoprophylaxis and vaginal oestrogens in post-menopausal women. Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis, postcoital prophylaxis, and acute self-treatment are cost-effective treatment strategies for reducing the number of UTIs in some patients.