UTI or menopause?

[crispinglovershighkick]

I did quite a lot of cycling over the last month and I've developed what I think are UTI symptoms but I guess they could be menopause related? I've been referred to gynaecology to talk about HRT but that appointment is a month away.

I'm dreading trying to get an appointment with the GP, wondering if the Lloyds pharmacy test and treatment (nitrofurantoin) are a better way to go.

• I find it difficult to empty my bladder, it takes ages to get the last few tablespoons of urine out
• aching pelvis
• urine smells odd
• I'm so so exhausted

Does that sound like a UTI or would I have more pain or urgency or whatever?

Sounds more like a UTI.

Why are you being referred to discuss HRT rather than your GP sorting it out for you?

Simple remedies for UTI are nettle tea (really good if you're retaining), cranberry juice and d mannose tablets (which both stop bacteria multiplying). All available from health food shops. A warm bath can also help for retention. I have them regularly and have seen multiple consultants. If you have fever or pass blood, get antibiotics. You don't need a GP appointment, speak to the receptionist or drop a letter to your GP in. It's best to get a sample sent off to see which AB will work. Otherwise you can be taking them pointlessly and you become immune to them.

@JinglingHellsBells

Sounds more like a UTI.

Why are you being referred to discuss HRT rather than your GP sorting it out for you?

Ok thanks, I'll look at the Lloyds option.

Over the last few years I've spoken to various GPs about HRT multiple times and they keep stonewalling me. I've made appointments with the practice nurse to discuss meno issues and they've been cancelled without explanation. Finally a locum doctor agreed to refer me.

I can't move, not at the moment anyway, I get a vital medication from them which wouldn't be offered to me at other surgeries.

@Mscarna

Simple remedies for UTI are nettle tea (really good if you're retaining), cranberry juice and d mannose tablets (which both stop bacteria multiplying). All available from health food shops. A warm bath can also help for retention. I have them regularly and have seen multiple consultants. If you have fever or pass blood, get antibiotics. You don't need a GP appointment, speak to the receptionist or drop a letter to your GP in. It's best to get a sample sent off to see which AB will work. Otherwise you can be taking them pointlessly and you become immune to them.

Great to know, thanks. I've been very lucky and never had one but my mum gets them regularly, I know it's a PITA. I hate taking ABs so would prefer to avoid if poss.

The urine looks clear but when I wipe the tissue looks sort of dirty, I was wondering if this was blood. I've had the retention for about a month, everything else is newer.

Simple way to check if it is blood is to order some urine test sticks online. Amazon do them.

@crispinglovershighkick If you are getting lots of UTIs they can be linked to menopause. The treatment is vaginal estrogen which helps your tissues fight off the bacteria.

Google vaginal atrophy and UTIs. Old ladies ( 80+) are often prescribed vaginal creams it to stop UTIs.

[quote JinglingHellsBells]@crispinglovershighkick If you are getting lots of UTIs they can be linked to menopause. The treatment is vaginal estrogen which helps your tissues fight off the bacteria.

Google vaginal atrophy and UTIs. Old ladies ( 80+) are often prescribed vaginal creams it to stop UTIs.[/quote]
I've never had one before but yes, I understand the relationship between VA, hormones and UTIs, my mum has had interstitial cystitis for years, now treated with bladder installations. The problem is that my surgery have been dragging their heels on this for ages and I'm tied to them at the mo. I hope to get a result from the referral.

@Mscarna

Simple way to check if it is blood is to order some urine test sticks online. Amazon do them.

That's good to know, thanks. Can I ask what happens if it's positive, do you just ring the surgery and tell them you've done a test and they will prescribe?

Depends on your surgery. My GP prescribes with a note but usually asks for a sample to dropped in. They like to test themselves. But it can tell you what you're dealing with.

I recently had a bout of utis out of the blue. Subsequently discovered they are a common peri symptom and often one of the ways vaginal athropy can manifest itself.