The last couple years I’ve dealt with multiple UTIs. I was lucky enough to rarely deal with this in the past, but lately these bladder infections have become a common fixture for me. I’ve been with the same sex partner and everything else has been largely the same except for my changing perimenopausal body, so I assume it’s just another unpleasant factor of this journey. Anyone else dealt with this unfortunate issue and found success with preventing infections?– Jeannie, Kansas City
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12Real experiences shared by the community, from the original discussion to today.
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Cookiepam16 years ago
Yes, that was one of my beginning symptoms. 3 in one year, same partner. That symptoms has subsided but I have the urgent need to urinate around the clock. It disrupts my sleep. So sorry to hear you are experiencing these issues.
Amber6 years ago
All the time. It seems like any time I am intimate with my husband I get a UTI.
Beta6 years ago
Do you have a coil in place? For 10 years I suffered from UTI and now I took of the coil and is been 1 1/2 years no more UTI
Cat6 years ago
Same here. Never had them before menopause and then for the last 2-3 years would get them back to back for months then they’d stop for a few months and then back same with only one partner. Luckily none this year fingers crossed.
JN6 years ago
Hi Jeannie, poor you! I do feel for you because I too had recurring UTIs. They were painful, aggravating and worrying and I ended up having 5 courses of antibiotics within 3 months! The UTIs stopped immediately I started on HRT though so there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you wanted to go down that route. Ideally I wouldn’t be on HRT as I don’t like taking pills every day, but I’d rather HRT pills than the constant UTIs and antibiotics. Before HRT I can honestly say the longest period I was UTI free was about 2 weeks. I would consider HRT if it’s getting you down - the UTIs made me thoroughly miserable. Good luck, I hope things improve for you soon ?
Victoria6 years ago
Oh gosh I’m glad this isn’t just me, I am in early peri menopause and have had recurrent UTIs for around 6 months, currently I’m awaiting a referral to a urologist. My doctor also mentioned the possibility of an oestrogen vaginal ring - not sure if anyone has had this treatment?
Emma6 years ago
I am also in peri menopause and am suffering UTIs and vaginal irritation. My doctor has suggested oestrogen cream or pessaries. Has anyone tried them? Any side effects?
Beth6 years ago
Exactly the same here. Seem to get recurring UTI’s every 7/8 weeks. Phone GP each time and antibiotics prescribed. Took an emotional meltdown before they looked and saw the frequency of them which resulted in pelvic ultrasound, examination, hysteroscopy, all of which were normal. I had breast cancer almost 4 years ago so ended up speaking to the consultant in the hospital and she immediately diagnosed vaginal atrophy as a result of tamoxifen medication and peri menopause. I was so glad to get to the bottom of why I was having so many UTI one after the other - she said it was all down to dryness. I use a vaginal moisturiser, and an emolument cream which I apply twice daily and consultant said it was important to keep the area between your front and back bottom well moisturised. It has really helped. Can’t take HRT to help symptoms but they are now considering some oestrogen cream BUT it’s a fine line. Peri menopause is horrible but the tamoxifen exaggerates all the symptoms. Not a happy bunny if I’m honest but at least just now I’m not going to the loo every half hour, day or night.
Angie6 years ago
Had my first colonoscopy and now I feel like I have a UTI. I get them quite frequently since menopause. Could the prep and all the bowel movements have caused this?
MC5 years ago
Yes but when they ran a microscopic test on my urine it was never a “true UTI”. I’d have ALL the symptoms without infection. Turns out I was doing a lot of things wrong: 1. I was forgetting to pee before and after sex. 2. I was drinking WAY too much water/fluids. 3. I had somehow trained my brain to pee frequent times day or night. 4. I was doing kegels to make the urgency feeling go away (but it only made it worse). I got in to see a pelvic floor specialist and it changed my life. Everybody is different so knowing what’s going on with pelvic floor is SO IMPORTANT! I now pee when I need to, I drink the right amount of water (for me), I do pelvic floor relaxation techniques and I trained my brain (this site helped http://www.myconfidentbladder.com/)
Jaclyn3 years ago
OMG - I have had three since the start of this year, and have been with my partner for 20 years. Nothing I’ve done before or after sex has changed - I pee before & after, I shower, I drink tons of water, I take cranberry pills. I’ve avoided UTI’s for years and all my usual methods have been useless. It has killed my already low libido knowing that basically every time we’re intimate, I have an infection. Thank you for everyone who’s commented and sharing what’s worked for you. It’s nice to know this isn’t in my head like a (terrible) doctor I saw earlier this year has suggested.
Kelly3 months ago
I have been getting a UTI at least once a month for probably at least 6 or more months now. I’m in perimenopause and on Tamoxifen. My doctor and oncologist both want me to try vaginal estrogen as I can’t try it orally because of the Tamoxifen. Im hoping this helps because the monthly pain and the frequent trips to the bathroom and incontinence is becoming unbearable.