UTIs ruining my life!

[abouttoturn50]

Sorry for the dramatic title but I’ve really had enough of UTIs! I’m literally getting one about every 6 weeks and have been for 2 years! I’ve had so many courses of Nitrofurantoin that I can’t have it anymore. I tried ‘Yes’ vaginal moisturiser for a couple of months but still got infections. I started using Estriol cream 4 weeks ago starting with the 14 day load and then twice weekly and I had really high hopes for it BUT I’m now currently recovering from yet another one. They make me feel so poorly too! 😕 I started systemic HRT 10 days ago.

Advice would be massively appreciated…

Is it too soon for the Estriol to take full effect? Or am I going to continue to keep getting UTIs?

Will the systemic help stop them?

Is there anything else that’s worked for other ladies?

Thank you in advance 😊

HRT didn't stop my frequent UTI's. I now take one Nitrofurantoin after sex which is a real trigger for me (even with the usual peeing, drinking lots etc) and touch wood, it's done the trick.

My GP also mentioned taking an antibiotic after sex, if my UTIs don’t improve, although, touch wood, I have been better since using ovestin

I should have said in my post, I’ve not been sexually active since I lost my partner 2 years ago 😕

I’m 55 and HRT sorted mine, might take a little while to settle at correct dose for you but I haven’t had a UTI in last two years since I started HRT. I know each situation is different but hope it helps you too.

I haven’t been through menopause yet, but I went through a long period of getting constant UTIs and it was horrific, so I really empathise. I think it was probably more of a chronic, embedded infection - I don’t believe the frequent, short courses of antibiotics were enough to properly clear it, and I think it was actually the same infection constantly flaring up. They seem to have changed the prescribing guidelines from 7-day courses to 3-day courses; no doubt a cost saving exercise, but I think it’s probably leading to situations like this for a lot of us, and only promoting antibiotic resistance. What eventually improved things for me was a longer course of different antibiotics, and a repeat prescription for Hiprex, a preventative medication which I take alongside D Mannose sugar sachets that I buy online. I follow all the general advice quite religiously - I make an effort to drink loads more than I used to, and I now use fragrance-free body wash. If you haven’t already seen a specialist, definitely request a referral (although the waiting lists are long). I understand how awful and debilitating this can be, so I really hope things start to improve for you OP x

Thank you. Sorry you’ve had the same problems. It’s awful isn’t it? I’ve read about Hiprex so I’ll ask my GP for it. I was eventually given a 7 day course each time I had one but I’ve started to have quite a bad adverse reaction to Nitrofurantoin so can’t have it anymore and I’m allergic to penicillin. The last 2 times I’ve been given Fosfomycin which is a one dose sachet and works like magic. I do weekly/ twice weekly uti tests at home to make sure I catch it quick when I get one! I started taking D-Mannose a few months ago but it made me sooooo bloated!

I’ve also finally been referred to urology but told it could be 6 months before I hear anything 🙄

I, too, had regular UTIs for several years.

My urologist recommended (a) to keep the urine balance acidic and (b) D- mannose. I've been taking D- mannose daily since, and regular vitamin-c tablets dissolved in water since. I also cut down on wine.

It has been a year now, and no UTIs.

Thank you for the advice. I will get myself the dissolvable vitamin c supplements. What brand/strength of D- mannose do you take please? I’ll give that another try!

Cutting out caffeine and alcohol has helped me. I also use a nettle tea every morning, which stops me retaining. Be really careful about taking too much nitrofurantoin. It should not be taken as a one a day type AB as it can give you fibrosis of the lungs. It's a horrible thing though, I've had problems for years. There are private clinics that I've heard are really good. I know there's one in Reading. Sometimes you need a longer course of antibiotics to clear the infection.

1000 mg a day.
I was having regular cystoscopies following an op, and two senior doctors detected what they referred to as detritus/debris in my bladder. The second Dr inferred that this might be the cause of the recurring UTIs and recommended to try to keep an acidic balance, which kills off bacteria.

P. S. He also recommended not trying my vag with my towel ( he recommended a hair dryer, but I've been using loo roll).

I've also been using antibacterial wipes regularly.

Op, I’m sorry you are going through this, it’s awful!

I had recurrent cystitis for years, back to back infections up to my kidneys.

saw a Harley street urologist and had a gentle dilation. 15 years ago. Not one uti since. Don’t rule out a quick 20 min surgery!!

How do you keep the urine acidic? Vit c tablets?

I do sympathise OP. I've had recurrent UTIs all my life but since menopause I feel like it's almost constant. I can't have HRT as I've had breast cancer. I'm going to try a bit of estrogen cream. I've tried hipprex but that hasn't helped- but it has for many women so could you try that?. I'm also now developed an allergy to Nitrofurantoin. It's just awful and really does ruin your life. I just think we have to keep trying different things. Sorry, I can't help but just know that you're not alone. It affects so many women.

Has GP done cultures of urine to see what bacteria it is and best treatment?

Another thing to bear in mind, bacteria can burrow into the epithelial lining of the bladder so are not eradicated with initial 3-7 day antibiotic treatment. As epithelial lining sheds, bacteria is released and the cycle starts again.

I have twice needed to use prophylactic antibiotics to break the cycle of reinfection in this way.

Yes they’ve sent samples of almost every time so I know I’ve got the right ABs and they always gave me a 7 day course until I started having reactions to
the Nitrofurantoin. I test at home weekly so I know the infection goes away for a few weeks at a time. Really hoping the HRT, vaginal oestrogen, D-mannose and the vitamin c does the trick! I’d literally try anything to stop them 😟

I was reading about the uti vaccine but I'm not sure how effective it is..

The fact you mention you are treated and it goes away but it keeps coming back sounds like it could be chronic UTI that has embedded into the epithelial bladder wall cells.

https://cutic.co.uk/what-is-chronic-uti/

I did wonder this but the last 4 samples have come back alternatively with 2 different bacteria’s.

Do you find that the pain is mainly on the urethra/ vagina or the actual bladder?

I also have what I think is UTI. Every 4-6 weeks I’m woken up by a painful urge to pee. I had a punch biopsy about 6 months ago which revealed vulval eczema, another addition to the long list of menopausal symptoms, but I thought it would explain the UTI feeling, but here I am again. I’m on full HRT too. Sorry that’s not much help.

I saw this thread earlier today, there may be some information on there that helps you: https://x.com/BradfemlyWalsh/status/1925693058793746661

Strangely I don’t get much pain as such. Just urgency to go and going very often, when I wake in the morning I have discomfort in my bladder . But I feel
generally awful and have a ‘muggy’ head every time.

D-mannose has been so successful for me, I was constantly getting UTI’s, been taking D-mannose for years, no further UTI’s, amazing stuff.