Not exactly related to fertility, but...

[Tomorrow_1]

In need of some advice. I've had bad urinary symptoms for the past 2 months: frequent urge to urinate (sorry TMI!), mild pain/irritation around bladder and urethra, but no pain while actually urinating. Had a sample dipped at the GPs, and they confirmed microscopic amounts of blood (hematuria), but sample culture came back negative. I also have a sporadic, painless cramp about midway down my left rib (near opening to stomach??) If this is a UTI, it's not like anything I've experienced before. I got the symptoms straight after using 'conceive plus' lubricant for the first time - needless to say, I won't be using it again!! What an irony: I was just trying to get pregnant, and now I've had to miss two whole months of bding, plus it looks like I'll miss another...

I've been on two rounds of antibiotics: trimotheprim and then kefalexin - no improvement. Managed to get a referral to a urologist, but have to wait six weeks. Any suggestions for what I can do to manage symptoms in the meantime? Have tried cranberry, have tried garlic - no help.

[Tomorrow_1]

Had crossed my mind that it could be diabetes... But just bought a cheapo swab from tesco and tested positive for bacterial vaginosis...That sounds more attributable to the lube. Shall def see a doctor tomorrow.

[Hidden]

Oh you poor thing you've really been through the mil. You're definitely doing the right thing by putting trying on hold- your health is more important. I had to put my trying off for 6 months ( only started trying again this month- had unknown endo causing pain all sorted now!) So I know it's bitterly disappointing but you need to be in the best health before conceiving and right now you are more important. I actually found the break did me good- I didn't realize just how stressed I was at ttc it's difficult when you've been trying a long time ( I've been TTC 5 years and 11 months)

Glad you're seeing your GP tomorrow and I hope this gets resolved soon and you can start trying again without too much of a delay xoxo

[Tomorrow_1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks jess1981. I agree that the break has been good for me in some ways. It's incredible how stressful ttc is. Glad to hear you've been able to star trying again, tho. Good luck, and good health.

[Hidden]

Thank you. xoxo

[Briannafaye1]

Hello have you found out what it was? Kinda have the same problem

[Tomorrow_1 in reply to Briannafaye1]

It was bacterial vaginosis - awful thing! None of the antibiotics the doctors gave me worked (they work only for about 50% of patients, apparently), and in the end, I resorted to probiotics. I took optibac probiotics, and ultimate flora by renewlife, both orally; sometimes I even inserted the optibac ones straight into the vagina. I also stopped having sex for 4 months, because sperm irritates the condition. Recovery has been slow, i.e. about 5 months, but I'm basically better now, and back to having sex again (yay!). I hope you find a solution! Let me know if you need any more advice.

[Briannafaye1 in reply to Tomorrow_1]

Oh man! , how was that diagnosed ?, I took a urine test and a small trace of blood was found in the test but no bacteria, I’ve been doing a CT done & camera into the bladder everything , been on many antibiotics still nothing

[Tomorrow_1]

I went to the clinic of Genito-urinary medicine (GUM for short) at my local hospital. They tested me for BV, and it cam back positive. Basically - if this is what you've got - it's a bacterial imbalance in the vagina. Good bacteria, the lactobaccili, die off, and bad bacteria grow. The solution for me was simply to encourage the good bacteria to grow back, but as I say, it took quite a long time. Hang in there. Hope you find some answers - and relief - soon!

[Briannafaye1 in reply to Tomorrow_1]

Thank you! , do you mind me asking if you had any discharge?? Or any other symptoms?

[Tomorrow_1]

I don't mind at all. The full list of my symptoms: microscopic blood in urine; watery discharge; frequent need to urinate; sensation like my bladder was burning; slight swelling around vulva; painless cramp just at the edge of my left rib.