If you get UTIs frequently you’re most definitely not alone. But did you know recurrent UTIs may actually be caused by a chronic bladder infection that never quite went away?
One in two females will get a UTI in their lifetime, and it’s estimated that up to 44% will have a recurrence of UTI within six months of their first UTI.
And with each recurrence of UTI, the chances of another recurrence increases.
It’s not a great position to be in – with every UTI, you’re more likely to get another, until eventually UTIs become a part of your everyday life. It shouldn’t be that way, and it doesn’t have to be!
UTIs have probably been around as long as humans have had urethras, but long term bladder infections and recurrent UTIs haven’t always been quite so common as they are now.
So when exactly did recurrent UTIs become such a problem?
Article Quick Links
- How UTIs were treated in the past. >>>>
- The difference between chronic and recurrent UTI. >>>>
- Treating a chronic bladder infection. >>>>
- Why your test may be negative, even with infection. >>>>
- Action steps for recurrent UTIs. >>>>
The History Of UTIs Isn’t Pretty
Way back in the 1800s, if you got a UTI, you might be prescribed bedrest, warm herbal compresses, baths, and scarily: opiate-based enemas. It’s also possible that phage therapy was experimented with in some parts of the world.
That was the first round of treatment. If your UTI stuck around, you could expect mustard- or ammonia-based plasters, oral alkali, bleeding (cupping, leeches, or direct bleeding) and large doses of acid solutions.
Not exactly your ideal set of treatment options. And recovery could take up to a few weeks of rest. Interestingly though, it was observed that once recovered, women tended not to have a recurrence of UTI. If you managed to push through, there was a good chance it was a once in a lifetime event.
So why then are recurrent UTIs such an issue these days?
There is plenty of speculation around whether the modern approach to UTIs has actually caused this situation. Rather than expect females to recover without assistance (who wants to spend 4 weeks in bed), antibiotic treatment is initiated early.
While antibiotics generally mean a faster recovery, they don’t allow our bodies to acquire an immunity to the pathogen that caused the UTI. Without the chance to develop an immunity, our body is just as susceptible the next time it’s exposed to the same pathogen.
It is also extremely common for a chronic bladder infection to develop after antibiotic treatment for a UTI fails. This could be because the antibiotics were prescribed too late, or the antibiotics course was too short, or the dosage was too low. It may even be the wrong antibiotic altogether.
When the treatment fails to eradicate the infection, some of the bacteria manage to escape and hide in the bladder lining, forming the foundation of a chronic bladder infection.
This is one part of the puzzle of the growing problem of recurrent UTI, but it’s far from being the only issue. For a brief history of standard urinary cultures, check out our video expert series.
Chronic Bladder Infection Vs. Recurrent UTI
Sometimes, your understanding of a health issue can be muddied by the words used to describe it. Urinary tract infections go by many names, but you’ll often find that everyone is talking about the same thing.
A urinary tract infection can occur in one, or multiple locations in the urinary tract.
Urethritis, cystitis and pyelonephritis are just fancier ways of saying an infection of the urethra, bladder and kidneys, respectively. These are all urinary tract infections.
There is a lot of evidence to suggest that recurrent UTIs may in fact be caused by an infection in the bladder that is not quite cleared by treatment.
A recurrent UTI caused by an ongoing infection that is not cleared by treatment, is called a persistent recurrent UTI.
Persistent can also be referred to as chronic, so the terms ‘chronic cystitis,’ ‘chronic UTI,’ and ‘persistent recurrent UTI’ generally all mean a chronic bladder infection.
Let us further explain how a UTI can become chronic in the first place…
Chronic Bladder Infection Caused By Biofilms
When pathogens first enter the urinary tract, they are free-floating. If given the chance, these pathogens can stick to the bladder lining, and form an intricately linked community, shielded by a slimy layer of protective goop. This slimy goop protects the community from antibiotics, as well as shielding it from the body’s natural defenses.
A chronic bladder infection that is attached to, or embedded within the lining of your bladder, is called a biofilm.
You can think of a biofilm as an escalated level of infection; one where a pathogen goes to a lot of trouble to build a resilient community that is in it for the long haul.
Instead of recovering completely from a UTI, your body can be left with an embedded infection that is well adhered to the bladder wall, and isn’t easily moved.
You may get acute symptoms that seem like a new UTI, then periods of minor or non-existent symptoms, before getting acute symptoms again. Then the pattern repeats.
Although this may seem like multiple UTIs, it could actually be part of a cycle caused by an ongoing infection that was never properly treated and flares up at different intervals.
 | “I hadn’t even considered that my recurrent UTIs were actually caused by a bladder infection that never quite went away. But when I think about my recurring symptoms, it makes perfect sense.” |
For those who love to nerd out on science like we do, we’ve provided a more in depth explanation of the fascinating mechanism of biofilms.
Biofilms like those described are thought to be involved in up to 80% of bacterial infections in humans. They are the culprit behind dental plaque, chronic ear infections, stomach ulcers and many other common illnesses.
Up until recently, however, biofilms were not recognized as a contributor to chronic bladder infection.
Fortunately, research is now showing that biofilms can and do exist in the urinary tract, and this research will be extremely important in finding a permanent treatment for recurrent UTIs caused by a chronic bladder infection.
| “My doctor suspected my constant UTIs were actually stemming from a chronic infection. I was put on longer term treatment and I haven’t had a UTI in nearly two years!” |
Already, thousands of females with long term chronic urinary tract conditions have found better treatment and are now living UTI free. We hope to help even more find a cure.
Treating A Chronic Bladder Infection
Once a bladder infection reaches biofilm stage it can be very hard to treat. For this reason alone, it’s extremely important to treat a UTI early and effectively.
Which brings us to the next problem: It’s not always possible to effectively treat a UTI when we don’t know which pathogen is causing the infection.
Antibiotics for UTI are prescribed on educated guesses, informed by what is the most likely cause of an infection, and which antibiotic is the best known treatment for that likely cause.
When the right antibiotic is prescribed, treatment is often successful. Some research suggests that when the wrong antibiotic is used, or when no treatment is used, it may increase the likelihood of a simple UTI becoming a chronic bladder infection.
So it’s crucial to find the right treatment early.
In order to find the right treatment, it’s essential to know what is causing the infection. Finding the cause can only be done via testing.
When it comes down to it, only testing can provide clear guidance on how to properly treat a UTI and help prevent a chronic bladder infection from forming.
The logical process would be…
Symptoms → Test → Diagnosis → Treatment → Cure
But there is a serious roadblock here: UTI testing is very inaccurate.
You may have experienced this yourself… You show up at a clinic with symptoms of a UTI, and your urine sample is sent to the lab, but the results come back negative.
| “I had 5 or 6 UTIs in a year, and got tested every time. The results were always negative for bacteria, positive for white blood cells. It didn’t make any sense.” |
Frustrating for sure. But you should know that if this happens to you, there is a very good chance the test is wrong, not your instincts.
And alarmingly, a false negative (when the test comes back negative for infection, but there is actually an infection present) on a urine test often means the infection will be left untreated, and may even get worse.
Why Standard UTI Testing Doesn’t Work
You can’t rely on UTI testing to give you an answer as to what is causing your UTIs. That’s the long and short of it.
Well, that’s the short of it. The long of it goes something like this…
The global standard for UTI testing is based on a couple of studies conducted in the 1950s. These studies focused on women with acute kidney infections and were never intended to be used as the basis for all future testing for lower urinary tract infections.
But, they were. For the last 60 years or so, standard UTI testing has followed the same procedure used in these kidney infection tests from the 1950s.
Quick refresher: a kidney infection is an upper urinary tract infection and can be very serious. The seriousness means the level of bacteria found in the urine is typically high.
Lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) infections can be caused by much lower levels of bacteria. So testing for a kidney infection may completely miss a lower urinary tract infection.
And that is exactly what happens in up to 50% of standard UTI tests.
That’s right, standard testing for urinary tract infections is inaccurate in up to 50% of cases.
In real terms, that means 1 in 2 UTI tests may come back negative, when there is indeed an infection. You may have been in this position yourself, when you have obvious UTI symptoms, but the test shows you do not have an infection, and your doctor is uncertain on how to proceed.
| “When all my UTI tests came back negative my doctor prescribed me antibiotics in case it got worse, but said they really didn’t know what else they could do. I felt helpless” |
There are a number of documented reasons behind the failure of UTI testing, and we’ve covered them in more detail in our UTI testing sections.
Where better testing methods have been used for recurrent and chronic UTI, a specific pathogen or multiple pathogens have been identified in an overwhelming number of cases.
| “My doctor had me submit a urine sample three times a day, taken directly from my bladder with a syringe. She identified bacteria in my morning samples and was able to prescribe the right antibiotic treatment. I haven’t had a UTI ever since.” |
Once a cause is identified you have a much higher chance of successful and permanent treatment. So we’ve also provided some tips on how to get better UTI testing.
Why Your Doctor Probably Can’t Help With Recurrent UTIs
Medical practitioners rely on guidelines to, well, guide them on how to diagnose and treat illnesses. In some regions doctors are bound by these guidelines and cannot recommend any testing or treatment outside these guidelines.
 | “Most UTI guidelines are aimed at management of simple uncomplicated UTI. It can be very difficult to successfully manage complex or recurrent UTI in primary care. If symptoms persist, or where there is diagnostic uncertainty GP’s will need to make a referral for specialist assessment." |
In other countries, like the USA, medical practitioners can access a range of different guidelines, and can select which they prefer to use as the basis of their practice.
There are pros and cons to both these approaches. In the case of recurrent UTIs and chronic bladder infection there are only cons.
At present there is no set of guidelines for doctors to follow when patients with urinary tract infections do not respond to standard treatment.
No guidelines exist to help clinicians and microbiologists detect and treat biofilm infections of the bladder.
This means there is no mention of chronic bladder infection caused by biofilms, or what steps doctors can take to help their patients before a recurrent UTI becomes a chronic infection.
And there are certainly no guidelines to advise doctors on how to identify an infection once it has become chronic.
Guidelines also fail to provide any information about the inaccuracies of UTI testing, so many practitioners are unaware of this issue.
So although you may show up at a clinic with recurrent UTIs, you are very likely to receive the same testing and treatment as you would if it was your first UTI.
As a patient, you may well have more information about chronic bladder infection than your doctor. Particularly if you’re reading this website.
| “At some point, after months of unsuccessful antibiotics, my doctor said he didn’t think he could help me anymore. But he also didn’t offer any alternatives. I was on my own.” |
But you can’t blame your doctor for this. Although research has demonstrated that biofilms can form in the bladder and cause chronic bladder infection, the mainstream medical industry is yet to catch up on these findings.
In reality, there are very few practitioners with experience in testing for and treating chronic bladder infection.
So What CAN I Do About My Recurrent UTIs?
As we mentioned above, if you’ve had recurrent UTIs for a long time, it’s possible you have an underlying bladder infection.
Chronic bladder infection caused by biofilms can be very hard to treat, particularly if you don’t know what’s causing it. But finding the cause is tough, given that standard UTI testing is so inaccurate.
 | We know the situation can seem a little daunting, so we have some action steps: |
- Take the UTI Quiz to jump straight to the information you need most.
- Get in touch with us to share your story via a quick interview. Your insight is very valuable to our research and we’d love to hear from you.
- Read the rest of the information in this website, starting with the issues with standard UTI testing. Then do your own research. Understanding the issue is the first step to finding better testing and treatment.
- Take information with you when you speak to your doctor. There’s a good chance they will know less than you do about chronic bladder infections.
- Ask for a referral to a specialist who can help. Or do your own research to find a practitioner with experience treating chronic UTI. Most doctors are unable to assist due to testing and treatment guidelines they must adhere to.
- Request alternative testing or pursue it independently (you have the right to do so in the USA).
- Commit to your health. Change habits that may be making it hard for your urinary tract to heal.
Share your questions and comments below, or get in touch with our team.
Comments
Hello I’m a 56 year old lady who had a hysterectomy thirteen years ago but the last three years I keep getting UTIs , I eat berries and have soya milk to drink and have flax seeds every day on my cereal , I try to eat healthy and never smoked or drink alcohol. I drink five to six pints of water a day plus herbal teas, I’m on nitrofaurtion low dose but when I come off them I get another infection, I’ve tried topical hrt but when it gets in my system I get faint and nearly pass out and dizzy spells so now I’m at a loss what to do, I’m afraid to have sex with my lovely husband and I’m under a urologist but he says it’s my Estrogen level, I’m scared that I will be on antibiotics forever or worse bladder cancer, please can you advise me I’m so fed up , many thanks.
Hi Mandy, I just sent you an email with links to some resources that I hope you find helpful. Melissa
The way I got rid of my UTI /I am post menopausal also. It was difficult. I fasted immediately for periods of time. No food until late afternoon. During this time I drank Linden berry tea that had cooled. I used the actual leaves from the countryside. I then took lactobaccillus pills, ate fermented pickles, sour kraur, vit. c., hemp seeds ground myself and goat yogurt and loads of diluted cranberry and pomegranate juice. At the end of 2 to 3 weeks, I took collodial silver 30ppm *tsp in 8 ounces of water with all the fermented food. It left slowly but surely! I am staying on the fermented food train because it also gave me loads of energy.
Hi Laura, it’s great to hear you found something that worked for you! Melissa
I was just diagnosed with pelvic prolapse. Which aggravates my tendency to get UTIs I think. Trying physical therapy for the prolapse. The E-String estrogen causes pelvic pain and had a reaction to the estrogen cream. Are there natural bioidentical estrogens that can help?
Hi Jan, we have heard from a handful of people that switching to a different cream has helped, however, it’s always best to speak with your clinician about alternatives. Melissa
What about estrogen dominance?
Hi Catherine, that is a really great question. As far as we know there hasn’t been any work done regarding estrogen dominance and the microbiome. We’ll certainly keep an eye out for new research in this space and let you know if we find anything! Susy
My urologist would like me to start Hiprex for frequent UTI’s. I am skeptical about drug as heard it turns urine to formaldehyde? Any comments about this drug?
Hi Jean, it is true that Hiprex goes through a process that forms formaldehyde in the urine, and that this contributes to its known antimicrobial properties. Hiprex is commonly used as part of one long term treatment protocol utilised in the UK. I just sent you an email with some notes on this. I hope it helps. Melissa
Hi
I am post menopausal, have BV and IC with a high PH in my vagina. My IC symptoms are lower abdominal pain and severe urethral burning. I am due to do the urine broth test next month to check for embedded bacteria . I have discussed oestrogen therapy with my specialist ( Dr Anderson, I live in the UK) who has said it is my choice whether to start this before the broth test. I am very unsure what to do first, oestrogen or treatment for bacteria, if found ? Any thoughts ?
Thanks very much
Susan
What an EXCEPTIONAL piece of work! Thank you for your time and great efforts!
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Susan, I just sent you an email as I’m not sure if you’re receiving comment notifications. Melissa
I am using estriol/ovestin cream. How long can I use it and can I use it everyday? I have been having recurrent UTIs. Thanks
Hi Rose, the studies linked to above indicate that its use should be safe for most people but it’s best to speak with your prescribing doctor about this. Melissa
I suffer from recurring UTIs. My question is: how long can I safely continue using Hormone therapy if I apply it daily
Hi Mary, that’s a great question. I have added it to our list for the experts. We share expert insights by email whenever we can. If you’d like to join our mailing list so you can stay informed, you can sign up here. Melissa
I have at least a 15 year history of recurrent uti’s and have tried everything. The only long periods without infection have been when I am on a long term low dose antibiotic but as soon as I stop the uti’s return. I am currently on macrobid which my ob feels is safe because it mainly effects the bladder and not the whole body. I am also on Premarin applied to the urethra. I have been feeling great the past few months but read that low dose antibiotics have bad effects over time. Can you comment on this strategy?
I have been on macrobid and always get a bout of colitis while I am on it
Hi Pat, we do hear from some people that antibiotics cause digestive issues for them, however it varies from person to person, so it’s best to work with a practitioner through your options. If you’re looking for a practitioner, send us a direct message with your location and we can share some names. Susy
Hi Nita, as we aren’t clinicians we can’t comment specifically on a strategy, but we have covered the research into prophylactic antibiotic use here, if you’d like to read more. Melissa
I had recurrent UTIs for about 3 years after menopause. I started using Premarin vaginal estrogen cream and haven’t had a UTI since. It’s been at least four years since my last one. My question is, how long can I safely continue? I’m going to be turning 60 in a couple months. If I eventually stop using the HRT will the UTIs return? I’m not sure I could live through that again. I was getting them every 3 months, almost like clockwork. But, I don’t want to put my long term health in jeopardy.
Hi Marie, as mentioned in the article, it does appear that use of topical estrogen is safe for the majority of people, however, it’s always best to discuss with a doctor. The link shared above leads to a systematic review of research into the use of vaginal estrogen, so it has a lot of helpful information. Melissa
Thank you, Melissa!
I’m desperate for help, these reoccurring UTI’s are taking over my life and making me miserable constantly. I’ll take an antibiotic, feel good and then it’s back again, try another regimen of antibiotics and back. Sometimes I’ll go for a routine checkup and won’t have symptoms but a uti shows up anyways. I’ve had a bladder lift 10 years ago. I’m 51 and have been in menopause for a while.
Hi Michelle, I sent you an email with some information. You might also like to read our article about recurrent vs. chronic UTI, if you haven’t already. Melissa
I am wondering of any more holistic ways to treat infections. Currently with a bad bug Klebsella Pneumonae.. I have been on and off abx this year which I feel has killed my gut.. Looking for hope… also of any success stories with the use of tge Urmune vaccine
Hi Shannon, we aren’t aware of how the Uromune vaccine can be accessed in the US. If you have information on that can you please let us know by direct message? Many people will be interested. We have heard some success stories with the vaccine from Europe. I saw you also sent us an email so I’ve replied there with more information. Melissa
Hi,
Thanks so much for the great article. Since menopause I unfortunately suffer from UTIs, mostly after intercourse. I try to stay away from antibiotics and use D mannose which helps me quite a bit. I’m wondering if probiotic pills would also be helpful as a preventative measure?
Hi Ruth, research indicates that certain strains of probiotics may be beneficial and that these strains may be different for pre- and post-menopause. We’ve covered this in more detail and you can read more here. Melissa
The estrogen cream was terrible for me. I’d completed menopause almost twenty years previously. After using the estrogen cream for about ten days my vulva swelled up like a cauliflower, causing horrible pain. It took well over two weeks after I stopped the cream for it to return to normal. For a week I could actually feel my uterus, as if I had resumed menstrual cramps. I think maybe it would work better in women who still had estrogen in their systems.
I’ve e had utis throughout my life. I have been through breast cancer in last year which put me into menopause. I am taking tamoxifen for next 5 years. As my oestrogen levels deplete i am experiencing constant pressure on my bladder that often leads to utis. The samples sent to lab often come back negative but i am given antibiotics anyway and it feels like an infection. I am taking vaginal oestrogen but this doesn’t seem to make any difference to getting infections. I dont want to face a future with this its debilitating and i worry about becoming resistant to antibiotics. I would love to hear about your regime… I take d-mannose tablets too
Hi Emma, can you send me a direct message and let me know where you’re based so I can email you relevant information? Thanks! Melissa
My.mother is suffering from recurrent utis..its not curing..we have done everything..and now my mother is antibiotic sensitive..my mother have e.coli..which is not eliminating..if someone have sure shot solution plz plz plz rply me..its very imp for the life of my mom..plz helo
Hi Singh, there is no sure shot solution but I hope we can share information that will help. I just sent you an email. If you don’t see it, please check your spam folder. Melissa
Hi Tobi, sorry to hear you experienced that! I also got your direct message so I’ve replied by email with more information. Melissa
I’m new to utis. I’ve gone through 3 courses of antibiotics and it has come back again. I’m nervous about this. Any advice would be appreciated. I think I’m very close to menopause.
I’ve suffered with UTI since a teenager. I always get given antibiotics but they always say no bacteria. I’ve been clear for a good few years now but had a UTI in December. Thought it had cleared and had another beginning of June. Had antibiotics but gp said culture was clear. I take probiotics and gp has agreed to use vaginal oestrogen. I am on day ,8 of the initial two week dose. It was all good until today when my symptoms returned. I’m hoping it’s just a glitch
Hi Sharon, if you haven’t already, you might like to read our information on why UTI test results could be negative, even when you have a UTI. Melissa
Hi Kimberly, can you send us a direct message and let us know where you’re based, so we can share any appropriate resources via email? Melissa
My doctor had me on estrogen but stop it when I was still getting UTI’s even on the estorgen
vagifem vaginal suppository twice weekly seems to keep the utis under control. However switching to generic form did not work!
Hi Ellen, that’s great to hear you’ve found something that works for you. If you have any questions, you can always reach out directly. Melissa
I use estrogen pessaries twice a week but am suffering with recurrent UTIs. This has gone on for nearly 3 years since I had a bladder repair following VVF after hysterectomy. Urologist wants me to try Hiprex for 6 months. Does anyone have any experience of this medication? Also I was told I had painful bladder syndrome but urologist now wants to do cystoscopy under GA to rule this out. I’m so fed up. I just want to be symptom free!
Hi Liz, I just emailed you some information about Hiprex. I hope it helps. Melissa
I am new to this UTI issue, and the fact you went 4 years is beyond crazy. It all started with UTI symptoms urgency, pain, burning, and a horrible yeasty smell urine. No blood in the UTI. I want to my Gyno Dr. My apt was fine pee in cup get Pap test. But when I was leaving he did not give me a prescription for a UTI he said the dipstick did not show one but they were sending out to lab. I should take OTC AZO drug that causes your pee to be bright orange. This did not work. I finally called the Dr office back after 2 weeks and they said I did have an infection they called in a prescription. Sulfa but it was only oddly a 5 day prescription which seemed very short. It worked but came back I called my Dr to get more medicine. The tinge of UTI still lingers and burning.
Hi Heather, I see you also sent us a direct message so I’ve replied there. Melissa
Hi Dena, I hope you can find another solution. I see you also sent us an email and we’ve shared some more info there. Melissa
D-Mannose used to stop a bout of cystitis if I took it early enough. But now I’ve read that there might be side effects.
Hi Xenia, we’ve covered D-mannose in more detail here, if you’d like to read further information about it. Melissa
This article makes perfect sense to me. I have been supplementing with probiotics on a daily basis for many years now but it’s been a couple of months since I started getting flatulence so I included kombucha and enzymes in my diet thinking that i might have dysbiosis due to antibiotics that I’d taken for cystitis. I had been using Estradiol 25mcg 3 times a week for a couple of years then the doctor reduced it to 10mcg 3x a week and I noticed discomfort during intercourse. I had no idea that this could be related to more bouts of cystitis.
Hi Xenia, we hear from a lot people with similar experiences that have found estrogen cream helpful. It’s clear that we need more research into this area! Melissa
WOW. I have no history of UTIs and suddenly got one that I cannot get rid of. The bacteria that continuously coming back is enterococcus faecalis and it will not eradicate!!! I’ve been on 5 different rounds of antibiotics all of which it was supposed be sensitive to but it remains and my symptoms persist. Strangely, this happened two months after I got off my birth control pill that I had been on for years! Any advice for me? My husband and I were wanting to start a family but now… I feel I have to wait until I get healthy but the likelihood feels like it is slipping away…
Hi Lizzy, can you send us a direct message with this information and let us know where you’re based? Melissa
Great info here. What is the opinion on Utiva? Thank you.
Hi Sarah, we don’t provide information about specific products, though we do have some info about cranberry for UTI, which I believe Utiva is based on. Melissa
I used estrogen suppositories to soften the tissues of my Urethra, but found it to difficult to keep up with, so my doctor prescribed eString which is inserted and left inside the urethra. Could not decide whether that was helping much, but it had a bad effect on my mammograms, so I was told to remove the eString. I haven’t gone back to it, and want nothing more to do with estrogen.
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your experience. More research is definitely needed into recurrent UTI treatment approaches and who they may or may not be suitable for. Melissa
Great article. Thank you! Could this apply to women with PCOS also?
Can having the Marina(I think that’s how you spell it !) coil fitted for menapausal problems be a cause of a U T I ?
Hi June, we haven’t seen any research into this, but we have received similar questions from others who are speculating whether it may be linked to symptoms they are experiencing. If you have any other questions, you can always get in touch directly. Melissa
Hi Antonia, that’s an excellent question. I haven’t seen any studies specifically linking this, so I’ve added it to our list of questions to ask an expert. Given the hormonal link to recurrent UTI, it seems plausible. Melissa
What is the role of testosterone treatment
( small daily dose of cream) in relation to UTI for post menopausal & naturethroid women /patients?!!
Hi Cathy, we don’t yet have any information regarding testosterone treatment for UTI. If you have any useful resources we can start looking into, can you send us a direct message? Thanks, Melissa
As always very informative and in a format that is understood,thank you
Can you tell me the differences with compounded estriol cream and the regular estrogen creams like estrace? I’m being treated for e faecalis and citrobacter in urine with antibiotics. Suffered with painful bladder syndrome for 7 years. Also given compounded estriol( I’ve had breast cancer) the estriol is weaker, I’ve been told so may take 3 months to work. My oncologist also told me about a new product Imvexxy which has a lower estrogen content than estrace and premarin. Obviously considering my history I want the lowest estrogen possible but still need it to work. Any thoughts? Thanks
Hi Lesley, that’s a great question and I’ve added it to our list for the experts. We share their answers periodically via our mailing list. If you’d like to join the list, you can do so above, at the bottom of the article. If you have any other questions, feel free to send them to us directly. Melissa
Hi Maria, thanks for your positive feedback! Melissa
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