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Original poster

UTI - how often is "normal"

29 replies

EnterFunnyNameHere · 02/08/2022 12:19

Sorry for the gross topic, and I know that really having any UTI isn't necessary "normal" since it's by definition an infection!

I had a UTI years ago (about 2015), and then one June last year (which needed the longer dose of ABs to clear). I've just submitted a sample and been prescribed the three day AB course again.

Is it "normal"/common to have UTI this often? I do appreciate some people have them on and off all the time and I don't really have anything to complain about, but I don't get why I keep getting the same thing over and over!!

Thanks for any advice on offer.

OP posts:
Enko · 02/08/2022 12:21

That's not often in my books. It's a good year if I only have a UTI 3 times for me.

35965a · 02/08/2022 12:23

So 3 UTIs in about 7 years? I don’t think that’s loads, although I genuinely can’t remember the last time I had a UTI. I’ve probably had about 2 in my entire life and I’m in my 30s. I’d say if it was more than two or three times a year that would be a lot.

Davyjones · 02/08/2022 12:31

Don’t know how coming it is but I’m sure none is the ideal amount
I’ve had none
child had none

antibiotics kill God bacteria too and will make you now prone to future I’ll bath, not less

lol at diet and lifestyle if you don’t want to be medicated your whole life

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General health
ditalini · 02/08/2022 12:37

I used to get them very, very rarely in my 20s/30s and they cleared on their own using lots of water and those powders you get in the chemist.

Then about a year ago I got one that wouldn't clear and needed 2 courses of antibiotics, and since I've had another 3 which also needed antibiotics.

I'm 50, perimenopausal and with probably a mild prolapse so my GP has suggested I come in to investigate the prolapse and possible try vaginal estrogen as she reckons that it could be related to the thinning of the skin in the genital area as estrogen levels drop.

So, for me the normal level for a year was zero until I was in my late 40s.

Prunel · 02/08/2022 12:38

That doesn’t sound like much to me
you’re massively at risk of a second one within 6 months of having one I thought

also I don’t think the 3 day course properly gets rid of it imo

Knittedfairies · 02/08/2022 12:41

I think 3 a year is considered 'often'

GreenManalishi · 02/08/2022 12:47

It's not gross, some people have loads, that doesn't sound excessive, although they are horrid. Pee after sex. Every time. Drink loads of water. Vogels Uva Ursi tincture.

Mydogisagentleman · 02/08/2022 13:03

I am 58, post menopausal and have never had one in my life

Mary46 · 02/08/2022 13:06

Op they awful. My friend said we prone to them in menopause. Im just over one. Took while to clear. AB 7 days. Water cranberry juice has helped

Goodnewsday · 02/08/2022 13:12

I used to get them constantly! Maybe we just had more sex then but I hardly ever have them now 🙈 I feel like now I get a warning before it because I can feel it coming on and just down gallons of water to stop it. I got it on holiday once even though I tried so hard to drink a lot. It was genuinely the worst holiday of my life, I was completely miserable and couldn’t go out the room 🤦🏼‍♀️ attempted dinner one night and just sat so uncomfortably in the seat until I left before the starters had even made it out. Thankfully I haven’t had many at all the last few years but before that I was having them every few months. I ended up getting antibiotics from the online pharmacy in advance because my doctors set up took so long to be able to actually get any and it was unbearable. The cranberry sachets are the only thing worse than the actual uti itself 😩 I think now I’m maybe so terrified of them I drink a ridiculous amount of water and always pee straight after sex to stop any germs hooking themselves in there

Headbandheart · 02/08/2022 13:13

How old are you? I certainly wouldn’t consider that frequent but if it is a recent change for you then worth talking to GP about it.

before I was 50 I probably had 6-7 incidents in my entire life.

however as I approached menopause things went from occasional to bad to worse. At its most horrible I was getting attacks nearly every week. I was in constant pain, felt like I could never get out of the bathroom as only place I could get feeling of relief momentarily. I had blood in my urine.

I went for all diagnostic tests, saw endless urologist who put it down to just about anything and included “just my age”. I had treatments to expand my urethra opening, instillations to pump bladder lining with a drug.

6 years down the line a new consultant put me on a very low dose of antibiotics for a year- I am still on them 3 years later. Don’t want to come off as never had a full attack since. No one is checking up whether I still need them due to covid etc…I probably should stop but do not want to go back to the torture it was.

megletthesecond · 02/08/2022 13:14

I never get them. I'm 48. I've always drank a lot of water though.

Headbandheart · 02/08/2022 13:16

Should have said in my post, that it is incredibly common to develop interstitial cystitis at menopause. All to do with thinning of urethral lining as hormones drop. As I was being treated in hospitals the place was full of menopausal women looking like they were in extreme discomfort.

Original poster
EnterFunnyNameHere · 02/08/2022 13:19

So I'm 37, so I guess a bit concerned that having one last year and one again this year is going to be "it" moving forwards!

In terms of diet etc, I'm a healthy weight, I do my 150mins exercise and drink at least 2L per day minimum. I also wipe front to back, pee after sex etc.

It feels like I'm doing everything "right" but still getting them - but from other people experiences maybe that's just how it goes!

OP posts:
stayinghometoday · 02/08/2022 13:19

Enko · 02/08/2022 12:21

That's not often in my books. It's a good year if I only have a UTI 3 times for me.

I'm 43 and had one once when I was 20ish. 3 a year would have me at the GP to figure out what's wrong.

stayinghometoday · 02/08/2022 13:21

EnterFunnyNameHere · 02/08/2022 13:19

So I'm 37, so I guess a bit concerned that having one last year and one again this year is going to be "it" moving forwards!

In terms of diet etc, I'm a healthy weight, I do my 150mins exercise and drink at least 2L per day minimum. I also wipe front to back, pee after sex etc.

It feels like I'm doing everything "right" but still getting them - but from other people experiences maybe that's just how it goes!

Do you wear thongs? I once read that when you move (like walk and stuff) wearing thongs your fecal bacteria move to the front and can cause a UTI more often.

Original poster
EnterFunnyNameHere · 02/08/2022 13:23

Davyjones · 02/08/2022 12:31

Don’t know how coming it is but I’m sure none is the ideal amount
I’ve had none
child had none

antibiotics kill God bacteria too and will make you now prone to future I’ll bath, not less

lol at diet and lifestyle if you don’t want to be medicated your whole life

With respect, I know this and that's why I'm asking. My doctor certainly doesn't seem remotely bothered by it and I've not read any online guidance on how to avoid them that I'm not already doing 😔

Can you please elaborate on what I can look at with my diet and exercise? Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
EnterFunnyNameHere · 02/08/2022 13:24

stayinghometoday · 02/08/2022 13:21

Do you wear thongs? I once read that when you move (like walk and stuff) wearing thongs your fecal bacteria move to the front and can cause a UTI more often.

Show quote history

Nope! Big breathable knickers here!!

OP posts:
Mammajay · 02/08/2022 13:28

A couple of tips..the bottle wash. Some women have smaller gaps between urination and poo opening ( sorry don't know right words). So always wash after pooing. Called bottle wash because you use a small bottle of water to flush wash and you can take it out with you if needed. Second tip always get up and urinate after sex. That and things like cotton underwear etc. Helped me a lot.

mumstheword001 · 02/08/2022 13:30

I feel for you! They are horrible.
It doesn't sound like you are having them often. A few years ago I had one or two every month for a year. It was awful! Lots of a antibiotics and scans on kidneys. Thankfully I just get them on occasion. I agree with all the advice on here. Drink lots of water, pee before and after sex, yourself and your partner wash before and after sex.
When you finish your course of antibiotics continue to drink lots of water for the. Ext few days to help "flush" out the remaining bacteria. If there's any bacteria left in the bladder they can multiply (hence repeat infections) you can buy D mannose which is a sugar that may help prevent utis. Although research is limited and they are SO expensive!

Original poster
EnterFunnyNameHere · 02/08/2022 13:38

Well I at least feel reassured that I'm not a total outlier!

I think I'll get through this one, but if I get another one in the next 12 month might probe a bit deeper with the Dr regarding any underlying issues I might need to assess.

Solidarity and sympathy for others afflicted- it's the pits!!

OP posts:
ToastofLandon · 02/08/2022 13:46

Antibiotics kill the good bacteria as well as the bad which make you more prone to more UTIs and vaginal infections (and in my opinion the 3 day course of antibiotics aren’t enough to eliminate the infection) so if I were you, I would take a good women’s health probiotic. D-mannose is also good to take as a preventative for UTIs too.

Original poster
EnterFunnyNameHere · 02/08/2022 14:18

ToastofLandon · 02/08/2022 13:46

Antibiotics kill the good bacteria as well as the bad which make you more prone to more UTIs and vaginal infections (and in my opinion the 3 day course of antibiotics aren’t enough to eliminate the infection) so if I were you, I would take a good women’s health probiotic. D-mannose is also good to take as a preventative for UTIs too.

that's not the first time i've heard of D-Mannose, although i haven't had much luck with pro- or pre-biotics before (they seem to send my IBS haywire)... Do you have any recommended brands that you've had success with? I think i read that the few trials of D-Mannose that have been done it was based on 2g a day...

OP posts:
mindutopia · 02/08/2022 14:18

Have you had new sex partners in these past couple years? It's not unusual to get them when you are changing partners. Just one of those things.

Otherwise, a good probiotic and drinking enough fluids regularly can help.

itssquidstella · 02/08/2022 14:29

I had a period about six years ago where I had a few nasty ones (requiring antibiotics) in a fairly short space of time, but I haven't had one since. Before that I'd had an incipient one perhaps once a year, but could always clear it with those cranberry salt sachets, and similarly since.