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[Kit14]

Can anyone advise me re this? I have been on systemic HRT (oestrogen patches and utrogestan vaginal tablets) plus ovestin topical cream for use twice a week.  I started HRT because of repeat UTIs and phantom UTI symptoms, and for the last year and a half this has worked. However, in recent weeks I've noticed the ovestin not really working as effectively. I asked my GP if I could use it more than twice a week and he said no. He said there were no alternatives which were stronger or more effective. He basically couldn't have cared less..  Surprise surprise I have now come down with another UTI and back on antibiotics, which I am pretty upset about as I dread them so much. Has anyone added in an over the counter product, or used ovestin more frequently with success?  Any thoughts, advice, experiences welcome! My GP practice is not v meno friendly.

[CLKD]

Your GP needs a    he is completely incorrect.  We can use VA treatments as often as required, every night if necessary.

Has your urine sample been sent to a lab as this is the ONLY way to prove an infection.  This is why the World will be unable to access ABs as GPs are over prescribing.  Get some VA treatment up there now, again this evening and continue as a reload for 2-3 weeks.  U should. notice a difference within 3 days.  When I get the need2P feelings I swallow two Nurofen 3 times a day to ease that nip as the urine flow shuts off.

Change your GP!  Speak to your Practice Manager to ask if there are any in the Practice with menopause knowledge.  U can also be referred to an NHS dedicated menopause clinic though there are waiting lists.

[Flossieteacake]

I am sorry you have had this awful experience. You can use Ovestin daily. I have to use it daily to keep VA under control. I have been using it daily for two years and will continue to do so.

I feel it is unlikely you have another UTI although it will feel like you do as VA mimics UTI type feelings. Taking antibiotics all the time is not going to help and it is such a shame your GP is so clueless about VA.

[Taz2]

I agree with Flossieteacake. Also, have you got any urine analysis strips? I've suffered too from UTI symptoms but no infection but there was one occasion when the infection went undetected (I didn't bother to go to the GP as each time it had come back negative) and this led to a kidney infection which made me feel awful for a few months. My GP suggested the strips so that I could do a rudimentary check if I thought a UTI was beginning. It does help to put your mind at rest a bit.

Which antibiotic have you been given? I find that the only thing that shifts mine is amoxicillin. My practice always prescribes Nitrofurantoin which, for me, never works but is cheap apparently. It's important to do as much as you can to prevent them but it is difficult. I know I don't drink enough water. I don't feel thirsty very often and just forget!

Taz x

[CLKD]

I don't think that drinking more/less makes much difference unless the infection is in the kidney.  We take in liquids from our over all diet: Tea/coffee/soups/desserts etc.

A lack of oestrogen will cause urine infection-type symptoms - good idea to get strips, then ask for a sample to be sent to a lab for testing if necessary.

Let us know how you get on.

[Taz2]

Drinking enough is very important to flush any bacteria out of the bladder before it can take hold. It also helps to hydrate bladder tissue. You don't have to drink litres and litres but just enough to make sure your urine is not strong.

Taz x

[Joaniepat]

Just wanted to add that you should not drink too much while on ABs for a urine infection, as you will dilute the ABs in your bladder. You cannot 'flush' the bacteria out, only dilute your urine, which will then be less acidic and less irritating to pass. Just drink when you are thirsty and that should be sufficient for most people.

Taz, it's horses for courses, isn't it? Nitrofurantoin (as Macrobid) is the one that always worked for me 😊.

JP x

[Taz2]

Sorry. I meant that in order to reduce the risk of developing an infection you are advised to drink often to flush the bladder thus preventing bacteria from developing and getting a "hold".

"It's important to do as much as you can to prevent them but it is difficult. I know I don't drink enough water. I don't feel thirsty very often and just forget!"

Taz x

[HellsBells]

I never got UTIs as a younger woman, but after menopause I had about 3 on the trot in 6 months. I had general discomfort too. My GP assured me that Vagifem would sort symptoms but I found it hard to believe. However, she was right and I haven't looked back. I use slightly more than suggested (4x week) and I know some women use them every day. Perhaps change brands/dosage?

[CLKD]

Tnx Girls for the clarifications.  Urine should be straw coloured, any lighter and you are drinking too much.  The 1st pee of the morning will be darker and probably smelly, after which the body rehydrates. 

What was the question again    . Kit - are you keeping up?

[Kit14]

I'm a bit of a dunce at the IT side of things, so this reply is for everyone who has been so helpful - THANK YOU!  I insisted on the sample going to the lab as the dipstick showed nothing, and after 5 days it didn't show a bacteria but it did show a (yuck) pus count, i.e. my body was trying to fight some kind of infection.  I have reluctantly started the ABs but I really want to prevent them rather than treat them - and not to have a fight with the GP every time about what part meno plays in all of this! 
Thanks so much for the guidance about using the ovestin more often if needed - that is what my instinct was to do but I was worried it might be risky.  Why don't GPs get proper training on all this!?
have people had luck with using probiotics as part of a preventative routine?
My biggest fear is an embedded UTI...

[Kit14]

PS the AB prescribed is nitrofuroantoin, so I'm a bit worried that some users say it doesn't work! I will have to wait and see, and will definitely be doing the ovestin reload daily for a couple of weeks. Again, I'm so grateful to this forum. I don't post much but I read a LOT and have learnt so much over the last couple of years when I have been pretty despairing. x

[Flossieteacake]

There is no harm in taking a probiotic. I take one and find it helpful with my IBS. I think taking a probiotic when on antibiotics can be helpful. I think using Ovestin daily is going to help you a lot. I found switching from baths to showers helpful too as the area is not in prolonged contact with water. I thought I was helping myself washing the area in water alone but a meno specialist told me this is very drying and best to apply emollient, wash it off in the shower and then reapply some after to act as a barrier. I do this every single day now.

[Kit14]

Thanks Flossieteacake, I am just off to the health food shop to stock up on supplies! Yes, I cut out baths altogether when I started HRT, as a casualty doctor told me that they can make it more likely to get a UTI from a random bacteria in water from your body. I will look into suitable body washes too, thanks for the tip. Honestly, this forum is a lifesaver!

[Flossieteacake]

Thanks Flossieteacake, I am just off to the health food shop to stock up on supplies! Yes, I cut out baths altogether when I started HRT, as a casualty doctor told me that they can make it more likely to get a UTI from a random bacteria in water from your body. I will look into suitable body washes too, thanks for the tip. Honestly, this forum is a lifesaver!

My pleasure. I am using Aproderm oat cream and finding that suits me but we all have different things that suits us.