My story isn’t about recurrent UTIs. In fact, by some miracle I’ve never had one. What my story IS about, is the drastic change you can make in your life when you accept responsibility for your own physical and mental health and truly commit to making a difference.
I know, because I’ve been there. And perhaps you will see yourself in my story too.
Story Quick Links
- My Mental Health Journey. >>>>
- Search Until You Find The Right Doctor. >>>>
- A Diagnosis Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. >>>>
- Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions. >>>>
- Let’s Talk About Physical And Mental Health. >>>>
The Right Information Is So Important For Better Mental Health
I have had my share of female health concerns so I was excited about the opportunity to be part of a project that would empower other females to take responsibility for their own physical and mental health.
I met Susy and Mel while living in Berlin. Mel was still in the planning stages of what this project could be, but her enthusiasm and drive for a better solution was infectious. I jumped at the chance to work with her.
In my experience with my own health, I found myself lacking a solid understanding of my problems. It meant that when I visited my health specialists, I didn’t have enough information to ask the right questions.
“It’s not like I wanted to consult Dr Google, or make my own hypothesis, but I did want to be informed so I could be involved in the solution.”
Sourcing quality, holistic health information around both physical and mental health can be a frustrating mission. Especially in a culture that prefers to soothe symptoms, rather than find out more about our sensitive and individual systems.
My Mental Health Journey
My own ‘health mission’ started in my late twenties after a decade of no regular monthly period.
Since my mid teens I had been on and off the pill, taken the morning after pill a couple of times, and for a short while, got the Depo Provera jab, so it’s no surprise really that my cycle was completely irregular.
At 22 I came off the pill for good and was expecting to see a more dependable period return. Months later and still no period, apart from the odd bit of spotting. I’m now embarrassed to say I didn’t think much of it, if anything I saw it as a convenient bonus!
It had come up in doctors’ appointments, but my doctors never seemed concerned either. Looking back on this now – I am appalled that this was treated as normal by my health professionals.
It wasn’t until a girlfriend, who was a little older and was trying to get pregnant, asked me if it concerned me that my periods were so infrequent. From then, based on her curiosity I guess, I thought I would look into it.
“Still, years went by and while I brought up my health concerns with doctors, nothing really came of my questions.”
It probably didn’t help that I moved around a fair bit after university, so I didn’t have an ongoing rapport with one doctor that I liked and that knew my history.
If they weren’t concerned, I shouldn’t be, right?
Keep Searching Until You Find The Right Doctor
It wasn’t until I moved to Sydney and finally found a great doctor, that some investigation began. I was in a serious relationship and ‘yeah, later on / sometime / at some point’ I did want kids. She seemed to think that that was enough reason to take this issue seriously and ordered some blood tests and then, an ultrasound.
The results of the blood tests weren’t conclusive but she did mention terms like ‘hormone imbalance’, ‘amenorrhea’, ‘blood sugar’ and ‘polycystic ovary syndrome’.
The ultrasound was not nice. I’d never had one and didn’t realise it wasn’t like the movies where they put the blue jelly on your belly and banter about your weekend plans.
Besides this surprise, it was mostly awful because of what I could see on the screen, what I could see did not look like the healthy, textbook diagram that I expected.
Up on the screen were dozens of grey/black spots of varying sizes that I didn’t need a doctor to tell me shouldn’t be in a healthy reproductive system.
A Diagnosis Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
After the ultrasound it all made so much sense, I had a history of see-sawing (mostly sawing) weight, clinical depression and an anxiety disorder, unwanted hair that laser wouldn’t laser away.
PCOS explained just about everything I’d ever complained about, about being female, plus that life-ruling anxiety I had medicated for my mental health for the last 8 years.
“I felt a) like a big, irresponsible dummy for waiting so long, b) elated that my symptoms had a name and c) motivated to do something.”
The momentum continued with a consultation with an Endocrinologist and then, to a Dietician who specializes in female health and diabetes (closely associated with PCOS).
I had a plan laid out to get fit, eat better to improve my blood sugar and take a low dose of a diabetes medication often used to induce ovulation.
While my periods didn’t come ‘flowing’ back right away or anything, I lost some weight, felt fit and strong and my mental health was stabilized considerably.
I must note that although there is some documented connection between mental health disorders and PCOS, I’m not certain PCOS is connected to my mental health – this could have been a happy byproduct of getting fit, drinking less and seeing more sunshine!
“For the first time, I felt responsible for myself, really in charge of my body – it was empowering.”
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
From then on, I felt entitled enough to ask questions and seek information that I could use to improve things for myself.
I didn’t have to wait to find a medical professional that was concerned and hope they were motivated to action something. That was my responsibility!
Don’t get boxed into a diagnosis without a plan around how to get to the bottom of the problem. There are many things that can cause lower urinary tract symptoms. Learn as much as you can.
I started tracking my physical and mental health in an app. This sounds so simple but it illustrates the massive attitude shift I was going through.
Years earlier, it would have never crossed my mind what the morning after pill does to my system, or to consider my iron levels when I was feeling run down and now, here I was documenting the height of my cervix!
“I was getting to know my body. It was making sense to me and I was beginning to really respect it, and as a result, treat it better.”
Since then, while my health is not perfect, I have so much more awareness. PCOS remains something I will have to monitor but I was in a much better position to try for a baby when the time came a couple of years after.
I was lucky enough to conceive pretty quickly, I can only imagine how hard it may have been, had I not gone through this physical and mental health overhaul when I did.
Be Good To Yourself And Nurture Your Mental Health
I now treat myself kinder when my depression or anxiety rear their ugly heads. Mental health is so crucial. I’m not currently medicated for these disorders and I know the shift in the way I take care of myself has something to do with this.
Another area of confusion and frustration for me was how we talk (or don’t talk) about female bodies.
We’re not really encouraged to get to know our bodies as children and teenagers (hands up anyone here who had quality sex-ed classes!?), leaving us as adults shockingly unfamiliar with some pretty fundamental functions of our own selves.
So many females can’t say ‘vagina’ without feeling just a little uncomfortable, so how do they confidently ask their doctor for ideas about why they might be peeing blood, are bleeding excessively or don’t bleed enough?
Sorry if you’re squeamish. Finished with blood.
Let’s Talk About Physical And Mental Health
Many of us feel unable to talk freely and without embarrassment about issues that massively impact our lives. Both PCOS and UTIs are examples of this. There are so many females I now know, through the creation of this website, that echo this inability to share their stories, even with their closest friends.
As a society, we’re not short on vocabulary that describes how to look better, eat less, whiten, tighten, shrink, tone up, smoothe, tan, buff, but it’s all from an angle that assumes that our bodies aren’t good enough.
Celebrating, exploring and getting to know our bodies is not encouraged; that might be seen as vain and arrogant or, God forbid, sexually motivated.
“I have a daughter now, so I hope I can encourage a more respectful, curious attitude and open dialogue when she has questions about her body.”
The subject of UTIs is an under-explored and important issue. But if I’m honest, initially, I was mostly excited about working with these cool ladies and to be a part of a female-centric project.
I have met some amazing people through this development process and learnt so much. It feels like a worthy cause to build a company around and I believe we really can help those searching for resources, who want to be treated as individual, intelligent and responsible owners of their own bodies.
Share your questions and comments below, or get in touch with your own story.
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?
Melissa, Can you please send me the info on Hiprex as well? I am on it, and it concerns me. Also, for what it’s worth, I reacted strongly (passed out) to the estrogen cream when applied into the vagina with an applicator. I just had a urogynocologist advise me to apply a dab twice a week around my urethra instead. Hope this will work!
Hi Denise, I just emailed you some further information. I hope your new approach provides some relief from your symptoms. Melissa
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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