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[Bananacarnival]

Hi everyone

How normal is this? Literature I read online suggests recurring UTIs in menopause is very common due to low estrogen and thinning of tissues.

But in reality, how common is it? I've been plagued by bladder infections since 2016, been on at least 20 high dose courses of countless types of antibiotics. I've also been on antibiotics continously since January of this year and low and behold just found out that I've got another one this morning!
If it wasn't for my kids I'd have topped myself today. Really can't do anymore.

Local estrogen doesn't work and causes a huge flare up of my symptoms every time!
Has anyone had this and survived or got through a long haul or am I just doomed?


Thank you for any advice

[Kathleen]

Hello Bananacarnival

I have mentioned before on the forum some science that connected UTIs to a strain of e coli that is found in chicken.  This idea sounds wacky I know but in some research it was found that the bug migrated to the bladder and caused an infection but when the women stopped handling or eating chicken their UTIs stopped. The research can be found on NutritionFacts.Org if you think any of this applies to you and you want to learn more.

I am sure other ladies will be along soon to help you and tell you what has worked for them.

Take care.

K.

 

[Babspiglet]

Bananacarnival, I can relate to a lot of what you’ve written. At the age of 46 I suddenly started to develop urogenital problems which plagued me for many years. I spent half my life at the doctor’s surgery requesting antibiotics for UTIs. Within a few months of getting rid of one I’d develop another infection. I’d average at least three a year and they were never straightforward to get rid of. At no point did any doctor or nurse suggest it could be menopause related and I just struggled on thinking I was a freak. Eventually I learnt that very often I didn’t actually have an infection but that the symptoms would often mimic one. I bought some cheap urine self-testing strips on line and was at least able to reassure myself that I didn’t have an infection. This at least stopped me from requesting endless antibiotics. Unbelievably it was only at the age of 56 I was prescribed Vagifem for the first time. This worked but gave me terrible abdominal pain and bloating. I learnt to use half a tablet twice a week which had some beneficial effect but I used it very sporadically. The episodes always seemed to clear up on their own. Quite miraculously and for reasons I don’t quite understand the problem cleared up completely and I don’t remember having any troubling symptoms this year or the majority of last year. Now I’ve got other symptoms being addressed through systemic HRT (2 months in) but no more urogenital problems. It had been the bain of my life and I know exactly how you feel. I didn’t have confidence to go out because I would always need the loo with urgency/frequency symptoms. What I would emphatically say it is menopause related and it’s very common and very upsetting. I don’t have the answer for you but just wanted you to know it can disappear spontaneously in time and be a thing of the past. Urine testing strips may help you to put your mind at rest some of the time as well-do you always have a UTI  officially confirmed each time? I’ve heard that Mannose is very good too.  I wish you well, it’s horrible. x

[Bananacarnival]

Kathleen thank you, I know about the chicken link and have cut it out of my diet for over a year to no avail. The bacteria isn't always e coli that's detected though

Babspiglet that was such a warm and empathetic reply! Truly appreciate it especially given that doctors look at me as if I'm mad or they're baffled and clueless.
I'm going to try your tip - half a pessary instead of whole. Twice a week,
But my goodness it's reassuring to know it eventually did go away for you.

[CherrySG]

I had this issue and the only thing that really helped was a medium-sized dose of systemic HRT (patches/gel + progesterone).

Local HRT (Vagifem, Ovestin) helped a bit but only went so far. Moisturisers also help a bit. My infections weren't ecoli either, they were staphylococcus. It's a horrible thing to suffer from, good luck getting it sorted. 

[CLKD]

If your GP has sent a fresh urine sample to a Lab to be tested, your symptoms are probably vaginal atrophy due to low oestrogen levels.  Do read the bladder issues and vaginal atrophy threads, then ask your GP for appropriate treatment: "ovestin" or "Vagifem".  Let us know how you get on.

[Kathleen]

Hello again  Bananacarnival.

Thanks for responding to my suggestion and I'm pleased that you were aware of the research on e coli from chickens. It's unfortunate that this doesn't apply to you but I see that you have had lots of other helpful information.

Wishing you well and keep us updated.

K.

[Bananacarnival]

Birdy thank you - I've got d mannose and agree it's very good and cured my utis in my 30s, but now it doesn't touch the infections. Tried various brands.

Cherry thank you for sharing, glad you're speaking in past tense ie this no longer affects you. Gives me some hope.

CLKD I have both, but been reacting badly to ovestin cream, really flares my bladder and doctor said it triggers a histamine reaction. I'm going to retry the pessary vagifem but half. And will seriously have to discuss hrt.
Kathleen will do and thank you again everyone

[CLKD]

Have they been infections?

[Mary G]

I had what I thought were recurring UTI's, cystitis and thrush in the lead up to the menopause but it was a combination over thinning of the womb lining due to the Mirena coil and dryness caused by a lack of oestrogen.

I too tried Ovestin but it caused vaginal irritation and headaches.   I found the only thing that worked was a good dose of systemic oestrogen.

[Bananacarnival]

Thank you Mary, you've echoed another poster so looks like I'm going to approach the doc with this.

Clkd, yes generally speaking the lab tests come back with low level of either strep b, enterococcus or e coli, and currently it's something I've never heard of enterobacter cloacae!!!

[silverstar]

I’ve recently had what feels like a Uti also, 2 lots of antibiotics and a negative test. Loaded up on Ovestin and just found out it’s causing severe pain, so stopped it. Due to speak to doc tomorrow as although symptoms are improved, still have bladder pain, itching and burning and weird prickly twinges from deep inside. Going to ask for vagifem or estriol and possibly a referral, depending on what they say. Will be interesting to compare notes! Hope I get a knowledgeable doctor!

[Bananacarnival]

Good luck silver, sounds like me really. Yes would be good to compare notes will you please let me know what she says re flare of symptoms after vag estrogen?

[CLKD]

Oh that prickly feeling deep inside, I have had that too ....... 4 me it was like razor blades  up there.

I find that taking regular 'nurofen' for 3 days helps ease some of the symptoms. 

[suzysunday]

I had the same on and off for years and like you no suggestion it was menopause related.  I keep mine at Bay with ovestin, but I see this does not suit.  It really drives you insane, it's so horrible and depressing feeling.  Good advice on the previous posts, it takes time and finding what is best for you.  Really wish you well.