Is taking vitamin C for UTI beneficial, harmful or neither? Vitamin C is a familiar dietary supplement for known reasons, however, the question of whether it can also treat UTI comes up often and should be addressed.
This article will mainly focus on the science behind vitamin C for UTI in terms of its potential to resolve symptoms. But we’ll also briefly cover why it’s important for sufferers of recurrent UTI to choose the right type of vitamin C supplement (if it’s necessary at all).
Article Quick Links
- What do we know about vitamin C for UTI? >>>>
- The science for and against vitamin C for UTI >>>>
- Why you should think twice before taking vitamin C >>>>
- Is there any research to support vitamin C for UTI? >>>>
- How much vitamin C should you take for UTI? >>>>
Vitamin C made it into our list of the ten most searched UTI home remedies because it is recommended enthusiastically online.
But it’s important to remember that this enthusiasm and its popularity doesn’t necessarily mean it’s effective. It’s possible vitamin C may only be effective in some cases, by controlling symptoms and limiting infection, whilst not eliminating the pathogen causing recurrent urinary tract infections.
Often, the same people who recommend vitamin C online appear to still have symptoms that return time after time. That’s something to think about.
 | “I’ve tried so many home remedies for UTIs. I was taking vitamin C for a few months and it seemed to help, but the symptoms always returned, so I eventually realized it really wasn’t working!” |
What Do We Know About Vitamin C For UTI?
For a start, we don’t know enough. That’s because there is a clear lack of studies into whether vitamin C for UTI treatment or prevention is beneficial.
Those studies that do exist mostly test vitamin C against a microorganism in vitro, that is, on the lab bench, and not in females with symptoms.
The largest study in humans we have found involved 110 pregnant women. Needless to say, many more rigorous studies are required with both pregnant and non-pregnant females, to provide a clearer picture of vitamin C’s place as a potential UTI home remedy.
Vitamin C As An Essential Nutrient For Chronic Infection Support
Whether vitamin C can directly help treat or prevent UTI has little impact on its role as a crucial vitamin for bodily functions.
There is an established link between vitamin C and immune system function. While a healthy vitamin C intake is essential for fighting infection, we also know that for many with inflammation in the bladder, certain types of vitamin C supplements can trigger bladder symptoms.
In speaking with recurrent UTI specialists, the primary recommendation around supplemental vitamin C (if it is required) is that it should be taken in a buffered form, to minimize possible irritation.
“It’s important to ensure any vitamin C is in a buffered form. One product I like for this purpose is Ultimate Protector. In addition to its potent antioxidant properties, Ultimate Protector activates Nrf2. Several studies have demonstrated that Nrf2 contributes to the anti-inflammatory process as well as increased cysteine production (needed to make glutathione for detoxing). This is especially important for those who genetically tend to make more ammonia and less cysteine.” Ruth Kriz, APRN, Chronic UTI and Interstitial Cystitis Expert
The Science Behind Vitamin C For UTI
Before we take a closer look at the research, let’s talk about vitamin C’s role in the body in general.
Vitamin C is an important part of a healthy diet as it plays a vital role in many areas of human physiology. It is essential for tissue health and wound healing, as it’s necessary to make collagen, an important support protein.
Vitamin C is considered safe, even in the large doses often found in dietary supplements. This is because of its water solubility, which means it is readily eliminated from the body in the urine.
Because vitamin C makes it all the way to the urine, it’s believed to have the ability to act directly on the pathogens that cause UTI. This is a key part of the theory.
Vitamin C May Cause The Death Of Certain Bacteria
Many of the bacterial species that cause UTIs are known to convert nitrate into another chemical called nitrite. You might recognise this if you’ve used urine dipstick tests (which aren’t very accurate, by the way).
| “I used to use those home urine dipstick tests but they always said I didn’t have a UTI because there were no nitrites in my urine. I later found out that not all UTIs cause there to be nitrites present, so I stopped using them.” |
Nitrate can be ingested in the foods we eat, but it is also produced within our own bodies, so it’s not something to worry about or try to avoid.
In an acidic environment, these “nitrate-reducing” bacteria take the nitrate found in our bodies and use it to produce nitric oxide, a very reactive chemical. The creation of this reactive nitric oxide also brings about their own death.
This is where vitamin C for UTI comes in. Vitamin C, also called “ascorbic acid,” is believed to create an acidic environment, triggering the production of nitric oxide, and thereby causing the bacteria present to end their own existence.
Although this is pretty cool to think about – bacteria being responsible for their own death – UTIs are also caused by a variety of other microorganisms that are not nitrate reducing.
Many of these may show a different response to vitamin C, so without knowing which organism is causing your UTI, you can’t be sure whether vitamin C will help or hinder.
The Problems With Vitamin C For UTI
You’ll generally find that doctors can’t promote vitamin C as a UTI remedy because of the limited evidence of the studies.
Whilst vitamin C is a natural chemical, it is still a chemical, like everything else, and its use may have unknown side effects.
Because we don’t know exactly how taking vitamin C for UTI works, we also don’t know if it is truly helping, or even how safe it is in the long term.
It is possible that vitamin C only attacks particular species of bacteria, and therefore may only help in some cases. In reality, we know very little about its effect on the many other microorganisms found in the urinary tract.
This is why it’s so important to find out what’s causing your UTI.
Because of these uncertainties, we don’t know what the best dose of vitamin C is, nor how often it should be taken, let alone whether it works.
And when it comes to a chronic bladder infection, treatment with vitamin C may not be wise. Any potential benefit from the temporary relief of symptoms could be offset by other issues that arise.
What The Vitamin C Research Tells Us
Vitamin C studies:
3. Daily intake of 100 mg ascorbic acid as urinary tract infection prophylactic agent during pregnancy
What was tested:
- Whether the nitrate-reducing ability itself is necessary to bring about bacterial death. This was an in vitro study (not involving infection in human subjects).
- Whether the addition of vitamin C to nitrate-reducing bacteria kills them. This was an in vitro study.
- Whether vitamin C for urinary tract infection helps reduce symptoms and prevents positive results in urine culture tests, in pregnant women. This was done in real humans.
- Whether vitamin C enhances the ability of a bacterium to damage the protective chemicals found in the bladder wall. This was an in vitro study using live bacteria isolated from humans.
What was found:
- Nitrate-reducing bacteria were killed by the addition of vitamin C in vitro. Vitamin C made conditions more acidic, and this caused the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide caused the death of these bacteria. Mutant bacteria (their nitrate-reducing genes were absent) were not vulnerable to vitamin C/acid attack.
- Allowing the bacteria to grow in an acid-free, nitrate-rich environment before vitamin C was added, enhanced the killing.
- Vitamin C appeared to be effective in reducing symptoms and positive results in urine culture tests, in pregnant women.
- In one in vitro study, vitamin C appeared to increase the ability of a particular bacterium (Proteus vulgaris) to damage the bladder wall.
What you need to know:
- The nitric oxide generating mechanism is not yet proven to occur in humans who take vitamin C for UTI.
- Three species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus) were shown to be sensitive to vitamin C in the lab. At this point in time, there are no studies that indicate whether other microorganisms are also sensitive.
- It is encouraging that pregnant women responded to vitamin C with reduced symptoms and fewer positive urine tests. Although this was a moderately large study (110 women), this may not apply to non-pregnant females.
- The effect of vitamin C in enhancing the ability of Proteus vulgaris to damage the bladder wall has only been demonstrated in vitro. It is possible that vitamin C’s overall effect, within the human body, would still be beneficial, because it tends to acidify the urine and Proteus vulgaris prefers a less acid pH.
Summary of the science:
- There is some evidence to suggest vitamin C may be an effective remedy for urinary tract infections involving nitrate-reducing bacteria.
- Urine with a high pH (alkaline), or any other reason to suspect a Proteus vulgaris infection, may make you consider avoiding vitamin C therapy.
- The research on vitamin C for UTI is still at its early stages.
- Larger, more rigorous, and better controlled studies are needed on pregnant and on non-pregnant females. These should assess if, how and when vitamin C for UTI is the right choice of therapy.
How Much Vitamin C Should You Take For UTI?
If you’ve read anything in this article, you’ll already know the more important question is, ‘Should I take vitamin C for UTI at all?’
But say you are going to give it a shot – maybe you’ve had testing that has identified nitrate-reducing bacteria, or maybe you’ve been advised to try it.
What do the studies tell us and what is a safe dosage of vitamin C?
First, let’s take a look at how vitamin C the average person needs to stay healthy, then put it in the context of treatment.
Recommended Daily Intake Of Vitamin C
It’s fairly common knowledge that vitamin C is essential in the human diet. A prolonged deficiency is otherwise known as ‘scurvy.’
And no, scurvy is not limited to pirates and sailors, but it was way back in 1747 that James Lind deduced through a trial on sailors (who were very likely to suffer from it), that oranges and lemons treated this mysterious illness.
It wasn’t until 1933 that the chemical structure for vitamin C was identified, and since then science has come a long way in discovering the benefits of it.
The National Academy of Sciences (USA) and the NIH suggest the following Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) of vitamin C in adult females:
| Female Life Stage | RDA |
|---|---|
| Adult 19+ | 75 mg |
| Pregnant | 85 mg |
| Breastfeeding | 120 mg |
Although scurvy is rarely seen today, it’s best to ensure you’re getting the amounts above at a minimum. And it’s important to note that any recommended daily amount includes both food and supplement sources.
Doses Of Vitamin C For Scurvy
The British National Formulary (the “prescriber’s bible”) currently recommends at least 250 mg of vitamin C daily (in divided doses) to treat scurvy. The highest recommended daily dose to prevent scurvy in those at risk is only 75 mg.
Scurvy is a very simple condition to treat and to prevent; surprisingly little vitamin C is required to stave off symptoms. Antarctic explorers stranded over winter in the early 1900s derived sufficient vitamin C from the meat of the occasional seal they captured and ate. Most animal species are able to make their own vitamin C, humans are among the exceptions.
Mega Doses Of Vitamin C For Illness
You may have noticed that it’s quite common to see vitamin C doses of 1 gram (1,000 mg) in supplements. While this is clearly way over the daily recommended minimum, it is still considered quite safe.
When it comes to using vitamin C as a therapy for specific illnesses, dosages used tend to be much higher. So far, research indicates that because vitamin C has low toxicity, it is unlikely to cause serious side effects up to a certain point.
The NIH sets Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) on vitamin C in females as follows:
| Female Life Stage | RDA |
|---|---|
| Adult 19+ | 2000 mg |
| Pregnant | 2000 mg |
| Breastfeeding | 2000 mg |
Safety of Vitamin C
The most comprehensive analysis on the safety issues concerned with taking vitamin C supplements was conducted by the National Academy of Sciences (USA) in 2000.
There were fears that dosages over an upper tolerable limit may enhance the risk of kidney stones, iron toxicity, vitamin B12 deficiency, copper deficiency, dental enamel erosion, and diarrhoea, amongst others.
They couldn’t find a satisfactory link with most of these supposed side-effects, but they did conclude that high doses of vitamin C commonly cause diarrhoea. This side effect was used to set the upper limits in the table above.
Taking vitamin C to acidify the urine, for example, involves taking “mega doses” of the vitamin.
In the study in pregnant females we’ve linked to above, the prescribed dosage was 100 mg, which is well within the daily limit.
However, the prescribed dose for urinary acidification via the use of vitamin C for UTI often ranges from 4 to 12 grams of vitamin C daily. This is as much as 6 times the upper limit recommended, which makes the risk of diarrhoea as a side-effect a distinct possibility.
Taking vitamin C as a dietary supplement is, by and large, safe, but there are certain medical conditions for which medical advice should be sought before vitamin C supplements are started. For the higher doses involved in urinary acidification, medical advice becomes more important.
Vitamin C For UTI Quick Points
- Vitamin C shows promise as a therapy for urinary tract infections.
- Further research is needed to discover more precisely how it may work, how much you should take, and how to navigate the potential hazards identified above.
- Even if vitamin C for UTI is helpful for specific bacteria, it may make things worse for others.
- Vitamin C as a supplement is generally safe, but certain medical conditions and mega doses should first be discussed with your doctor.
Don’t take our word for it, do your own research, and take a quick read of our UTI home remedies section for more information on how to go about it.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… It’s always a good idea to do a little background reading about a product you’re thinking of taking – before you take it!
Research papers can look complicated at first glance, but you’ll often find the abstract at the top of the paper will give you a good overview, and help you decide quickly whether you want to read it.
Sure, some of the concepts are complex, but you can find some super interesting and helpful information out there.
The (Not So) Final Word On Vitamin C For UTI
Many UTI sufferers swear by vitamin C as a treatment for UTIs. You’ll see it recommended in forums, and natural remedies articles. This happens with many UTI home remedies.
But you should ask yourself, if vitamin C or other home remedies are so effective, why do their advocates keep getting urinary tract infections?
In truth, we don’t know whether vitamin C helps for UTIs. This is because:
1) The evidence usually comes from studies done on how vitamin C affects microorganism directly, in the laboratory. Human studies typically involve a small number of sufferers or those who are pregnant.
2) The best dosage, best daily pattern for taking vitamin C has not yet been investigated.
3) We don’t know which microorganisms vitamin C works against in humans, which it has no effect on, and for which type of infections, if any, vitamin C may make things worse.
What other remedies have you considered trying for UTIs?
To help you navigate your way through it all, we’ve put together a list of the ten most popular UTI remedies, along with the evidence to support or debunk each.
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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