I would just like to add some of my thoughts on the tho subject.
My father was a dental surgeon and a life vegetarian. He was very against the use of antibiotics unless absolutely necessary - I went through my entire childhood without a single course of ABs - my first course of ABs was in my early 20s when I had a particularly nasty chest infection. HE knew even back in the 60s that overuse would prove a problem. When it comes to UTIs it is clearly very difficult to know when ABs are necessary (the initial ‘dip stick' will only give part of the picture) and giving appropriate ABs for the right length of time is obviously crucial. The over use of ABs is being questioned but when it comes to UTIs there clearly must be a review on the treatment overall.
It staggers me that menopausal women keep turning up at the GP surgery with symptoms of UTIs - some with pain, urinery urgency and burning with no evidence of infection , whilst others show infection but have few symptoms - yet the medical profession hasn't cottoned on generally that the meno and these UTI type problems are linked
. the NICE guidelines do have a good section on this but I feel it isn't enough and the message isn't getting out there.
For years I had a horrible burning sensation in and around my urethra - initially my GP gave me ABs which didn't do anything and I asked several doctors (some gyanes at meno clinics) why I continued to have this awful discomfort - I was never offered local oestrogen as they all assumed the systemic HRt would be sorting any VA problems.
I am now on Vagifem and have used this for a few years now - what a difference it makes - I still get the odd flare up and have to manage things carefully with other strategies alongside the Vagifem but it is very distressing and often frightening to have this pain.
For me it is entirely logical that by maintaining a healthier environment around our delicate ‘lady bit's' this will act as a preventative against bacteria taking hold that is likely to cause infection. The use of local oestrogen will help the skin be more resilient and heal better - frankly if the NHS wants to reduce the use of ABs and reduce bladder and vaginal problems then local oestrogen should be the standard treatment for most women - NOT these 3 day AB courses that simply make things worse. PREVENTION is the key.
Rant over
DG x