Could this solve recurring UTIs that many of us suffer with?

[Marilyn1959]

Saw a lovely new GP today who may have struck gold re why I have been thwarted with recurrent UTIs for three years. Sometimes, even though there is blood in urine, results show no presence of UTI. So I was fast tracked for cancer tests, however all came back negative - thank goodness.

So went to see new GP to see if we could answer the questios why and what next since my concern is that if taking antibiotics so frequently I will become immune to them.

Her first question was had I had recent smear test - yes. The she asked about vaginal dryness. Well yes.......

She explained how vaginal dryness could result in blood in urine and UTIS. So we agreed to trial for three months Vagifem Estradiol and then review frequency of UTIS during this period. The Vagifem comes either as suppository or as cream.

I like that she is looking at cause rather than treating effect. I am sharing since vaginal dryness never entered my head as possible cause and maybe this might resonate with others?

Obviously won't know for a couple of months- one can but try. Fingers crossed eh?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Any other signs of dryness? Sjogren's comes to mind...

[Marilyn1959 in reply to PMRpro]

You really know your stuff PMRPRO. Thank you for prompting me to think as a whole rather than looking at a symptom in isolation. Looked up Sjorgrens and yes could well be a possibility, since I have noticed dry mouth and eyes for past couple of months. Might mention this to GP during three month review. Thanks again.

[Fate28 in reply to PMRpro]

Thats what i was thinking

[Twopies in reply to PMRpro]

Is it a side effect of pmr...or the pred? Haven't read about it before as one of the side effects of either, just wondering, as I have very dry eyes and very dry skin since I joined the pmr club. Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Twopies]

Sjogrens is an autoimmune disorder too - when you have one, another is more likely to develop. There is also a syndrome called sicca syndrome - same symptoms, no antibody in the blood. And if the PMR autoimmune bit includes the right (or wrong) tissues ...

[Twopies in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. Does it go away when the pmr is finally ended?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Twopies]

I honestly don't know. Nor, I imagine, does anyone!!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Like a GP that thinks outside the box 😏

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks Marilyn. That was also mooted to me and Oestrogen cream was prescribed. I am not troubled by the symptom anymore. I think it was aggravated by Adcal which I no longer take. I just take vit D and eat dairy.

[powerwalk in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi Sheffield Jane do you still use the oestrogen cream? Just wondering if you had any side effects from that. Thank you.

[SheffieldJane in reply to powerwalk]

Yes but not every night. There have been no adverse effects that I can distinguish so far.

[powerwalk in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you. Going to give it a try. Fingers crossed. I'm never good with hormone stuff!! Thanks.

[pmrkitty]

I also have blood in urine and vaginal dryness. Thank you for the info. I'm also suspected of having sjogrens...maybe a little of both?

[Daisychain12]

Darling so happy for you. It will work beautifully. I had to stop my oetradial due to cancer but it was marvellous for uti. Xxxxx

[Hindags]

Good luck.

[Valnvaughan]

My GP diagnosed Vaginal Atrophy or dryness as a contributory factor to repeated UTIs several years ago. I chose to use KY jelly with no hormone additives as a treatment. Combined with Mannose for ‘tingles’ it has worked for me.

Valerie

[Hellyowl]

Hi,

I had blood in urine and GP sent me for a camera through the urethra to look at the bladder, I wimped out and fainted even through it didn't hurt!!!!. There were no problems so GP didn't suggest anything else except a precautionary course of antibiotics. However since the menopause I had used a vaginal gel from Boots for dryness, but with all the other tablets and stuff since the GCA I had got sloppy and hardly been using it. I have gone back to using it weekly and been fine since. Joys of getting old.

[powerwalk]

Hi. Can i ask if you have been having any success with this uti wise? Im starting it to see if it helps my literally constant utis but nervous of it to be honest. Thank you.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to powerwalk]

Hi power walk. Sorry I was interrupted in this treatment due to a fall and subsequent op on Christmas day to replace bone in my shoulder. Hence I couldn't apply pessary. So it is a watch this space. However I suspect for me there is more going on since the dryness in mouth has gained momentum. I perhaps will know more when I see GP on 13th.

[powerwalk in reply to Marilyn1959]

Oh no that sounds like a bad fall. Good luck with your appointment. Let us know how it goes. Thank you.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to powerwalk]

Had to go see the GP at local hospital outpatients today as an emergency! Yes another UTI I will try the pessaries I promise, but the way I'M going it might not be for a while yet! If you use them before me let me know if they work.

[YuliK in reply to Marilyn1959]

Marilyn I have used emu oil solid cream for years. It's transdermal and will help stop any fusing down south. Fusing happens to woman after menopause, when the area drys up.

I like this emu cream as it's not more chemicals for our body.

I also suffer from Lichen Sclerosis. Another darn auto immune disease to handle.

[234me]

acepnow.com/article/utis-an... prescription estrogen seems to have helped me with reoccurring UTI. Also a vag moistures such as "Replens " in snip off tube. Plus I did take for 2 weeks, D-mannose powder with the capsules combo "cranberry D mannose" every 4 hrs. Now, I just take "D-mannose powder plus "cranberry combo with D-mannose" twice a week in water. Hope the above article helps someone.

But, I think the above article has some merit to it as it has helped me and when just taking D-Mannose , I had reoccurring UTI.