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Menopause

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Original poster

UTIs ruining my life!

57 replies

abouttoturn50 · 23/05/2025 18:19

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 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
abouttoturn50 · 28/05/2025 10:21

HappydaysArehere · 28/05/2025 10:08

I would also like to know how you keep your urine acidic please.

Show quote history

High strength vitamin c. From looking online it doesn’t have to be dissolvable it can be in tablet form as it’s water soluble

OP posts:
HopingForTheBest25 · 28/05/2025 11:55

Are you absolutely certain it's uti? I had a lot of bladder pain/frequency which was helped by a combination of vagifem pessaries, pelvic floor training and I think testosterone gel in addition to my sequential HRT. The testosterone wasn't prescribed for the bladder pain but I think getting all my hormones in balance has helped with vaginal atrophy symptoms.
If you have a long wait for urology, I really recommend seeing a women's physiotherapist - depending on where you are the appt can come through quicker than urology.

Original poster
abouttoturn50 · 28/05/2025 12:17

HopingForTheBest25 · 28/05/2025 11:55

Are you absolutely certain it's uti? I had a lot of bladder pain/frequency which was helped by a combination of vagifem pessaries, pelvic floor training and I think testosterone gel in addition to my sequential HRT. The testosterone wasn't prescribed for the bladder pain but I think getting all my hormones in balance has helped with vaginal atrophy symptoms.
If you have a long wait for urology, I really recommend seeing a women's physiotherapist - depending on where you are the appt can come through quicker than urology.

Hi. Yes samples are sent most times. To be honest my symptoms aren’t vaginal with the UTIs, it’s more a frequency and urgency to go and feeling utterly rubbish. I’m not sexually active so not sure if dryness is even an issue but I am definitely menopausal and have been for around 5-6 years at least

OP posts:
MoominUnderWater · 28/05/2025 12:31

abouttoturn50 · 28/05/2025 09:55

I’ve had samples sent off 3 days after finishing ABs 4 or 5 times and they are completely clear of infection. Unfortunately there’s a lot of ABs I can’t take including penicillin, cephalexin and now Nitrofurantoin so long term ABs aren’t an option. Keeping everything crossed that the VO, Hipprex, vitamin c and HRT works now! 🤞🏻

Show quote history

Standard nhs tests miss 70% of utis. You need a fresh sample looking at under a microscope and LUTS do this. Most nhs don’t.

MoominUnderWater · 28/05/2025 12:33

TheGrimSmile · 28/05/2025 09:55

When you say high dose vit C, which brand do you use? I bought some dissolvable ones from Aldi but it said they were citric acid. So this has confused me because I thought citric acid became alkaline inside the body and caused your urine to be more alkaline. I've also found that when I eat oranges they tend to trigger a flare in me...so I'm confused about the vit c thing.

Show quote history

Not sure to be honest, the nhs supplied them. They weren’t dissolvable.

MoominUnderWater · 28/05/2025 12:35

abouttoturn50 · 28/05/2025 12:17

Hi. Yes samples are sent most times. To be honest my symptoms aren’t vaginal with the UTIs, it’s more a frequency and urgency to go and feeling utterly rubbish. I’m not sexually active so not sure if dryness is even an issue but I am definitely menopausal and have been for around 5-6 years at least

Show quote history

So my doctor at luts said something about menopausal symptoms can exacerbate uti symptoms due to swelling/the tissue being different due to lower oestrogen.

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