2nd UTI in 2 weeks

[Redwineandcheeseplease01]

I had my first UTI 2 weeks ago. Constant urge to wee without passing much, uncomfortable sensation. Went to the GP, got antibiotics (which I finished), cleared up instantly, all good. I’m sure I’m getting another one - so my second UTI in 2 weeks. To reiterate, I’ve never once had one before.
what’s going on?
no habits have changed. Of note is UTI’s have both followed after sex, but I’ve been with OH for 20yrs and this has never happened before after sex.
any advice please?! Thanks!

How old are you? Did they send off a sample of your urine last time, or just give antibiotics on symptoms ?

Yes I gave a urine sample but never heard anything from them about it/I never followed it up. I’m 40.

And yes they gave me antibiotics when I described the symptoms and I dropped the sample to the receptionist, it wasn’t actually given to the GP to test

How long was the course of AB? Sometimes a 3 day course doesn’t clear the infection fully so it subsided then flares up again.

I have PMd you.

It was a weeks course!
@AliceSprung thankyou, I’ve just checked but not received a PM?

If they gave you nitrofurantoin as the first medication, IME it never works and as soon as you stop taking it the symptoms return. For some reason - probably cost - they will only prescribe trimethoprim if the first lot fails. 5 - 7 days of trimethoprim does the job!

PM should be there now.

I had a phase where this was happening to me regularly as well. In the end I started taking a high-strength cranberry tablet each night before bed, and that seemed to prevent the uti bacteria from taking hold - no UTIs at all since then. If you've already got symptoms, def go back to the GP of course, but you could also look into cranberry as a preventative. I think it can also be taken while you are on ABs but best to check that with GP/pharmacist

It's probably the same one that didn't fully clear. You probably need a longer course or a different antibiotic

One GP did tell me to take cranberry capsules (only in that form). Take them on alternate months.

A teaspoon of cream of tartar, and a few drop of lemon juice in a cup of hot water, drink when you first notice symptoms, and then morning and evening. It changes the acidity in the bladder and makes it inhospitable to bacteria. (And it's not actually too horrible to drink.)

Obviously not intended to replace medical advice, but worth a go.

I tried this when I started with a UTI at the beginning of a four day bank holiday weekend. I noticed improvements after a few hours.

When you are 40 ish and keep getting infections it can be the start of vaginal atrophy due to perimenopause.

This. Have a google of vaginal oestrogen.

I am betting the original UTI didn’t quite go and the bacteria has multiplied again. You may need a longer course of antibiotics.

(I have long term bladder issues and interstitial cystitis).

Get your urine retested and see if you need another course of AB.

Couple of longer term options to reduce recurrence risk

1. take d mannose regularly- it helps prevent E. coli sticking to the bladder wall
2. speak to your gp about vaginal estrogen. I think you can now buy it without prescription in a pharmacy too.
3. If sex is a trigger you can be prescribed trimethoprim to take after sex.

This thread may be of interest-

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5137299-to-miss-my-more-youthful-vulva?page=1

I had this at 43 and it turned out to be perimenopausal vaginal atrophy. My cervical fluid had also changed (got a lot thinner) and I felt a bit different and uncomfortable down there. Vaginal oestrogen tablets (vagifem/vagirux) sorted it out. Took them nightly for a couple of weeks and now take them twice a week and everything’s back to working fine.

Some good advice here. Also will mention that I started to get cystitis and thrush regularly after the birth of my children. Sex triggers it off so we both have to have showered well beforehand + brushed teeth (oral related) and I have to make sure I pee straight after and have a 'downstairs' rinse 😂

It's helped a lot. Still need antibiotics and thrush meds occasionally but nowhere near as bad as before.

i swear by dmannose tabs

Always pee after sex. No bubble bath. Use Dove soap on nether regions. Get hormone levels checked

Probably same infection, wrong antibiotics, follow up with your gp