next »

[treehugger1]

I'm now officially menopausal and Mr. Treehugger and I have discovered the joys of sex without condoms for the first time. Yay us! But there's one small problem: Now I'm getting urinary tract infections with frustrating frequency. They are definitely linked to intercourse. In fact, it's almost predictable ... within a day, I'll start feeling crappy down there.

I saw a M.D about this last week and he gave me a course of antibiotics, which I have at the ready. I'm reluctant to start taking them, however, because

1) it seems like I now have a recurring problem -- one that antibiotics will only help in the short run, and potentially worsen in the long run. (Don't want to help create any superbugs in my nether regions.)
2) the infection goes away with a day or so of simple self-treatment (lots of water and cranberry juice) and only comes back when we have sex.

I'll probably wind up going back to the doctor again (ugh!). But while I'm waiting, I thought I'd ask if any one else has had experience with this? And, if so, if this kind of problem goes away on its own after a while (once one gets used to a new partner or a new kind of sex), or whether I'll just wind up having to work out some kind of solution. Feel free to PM me, of course, if the details are too personal.

[polly_mer]

Step 1 is to get Mr. Treehugger treated for the same infection as well.  Otherwise, you are just passing back and forth the bugs causing the problem, even though he is not suffering any symptoms.

Other options varying your positions and making sure that both of you are squeaky clean, including proper oral hygiene, prior to starting anything.

[mended_drum]

I know I'm going to regret asking this--and I sympathize with the OP--but how is this topic part of "Health Issues on the Job"? 

[polly_mer]

I know I'm going to regret asking this--and I sympathize with the OP--but how is this topic part of "Health Issues on the Job"? 

I think the thinking was that health issues in general probably should go here instead of in M&G or Balancing Work and Life and I think that's a reasonable decision.

Otherwise, I guess we do know how Treehugger eventually made the money to finish up her schooling and it wasn't grants.

[lurquita]

Cranberry tablets are your friend.

Pee before and after.

Wash and make sure that you are clean before and after.

Cranberry tablets are your bestest best friend ever. 

L.

[biomancer]

Treehugger, you might already be doing this, but in case you aren't.... if you urinate shortly after having sex it will help rinse bacteria out of the urethra.

In the meantime, keep pushing that cranberry juice, and get Mr. Treehugger checked out by his physician like Polly suggests.

on preview... yes, what Lurquita and Polly said.

[notaprof]

I know I'm going to regret asking this--and I sympathize with the OP--but how is this topic part of "Health Issues on the Job"?  

This belongs here not because UTI's happen on the job, but the symptoms have to be dealt with while trying to get on with a day on the job.  But it is a funny question!  I did laugh but there are days when I would not.

[spork]

A few suggestions in addition to the ones already made:

- try using plenty of lubricant; friction + bare skin =  increased chances for infection

- prophylactic antibiotic use, like 500mg ciprofloxacin post-coitally and 12 hours thereafter (MDs can feel free to jump on me for this, I've heard it all before)

- similar to above, travel to a malarial area and take 100mg doxycycline daily -- the malaria prophylaxis also does a good job preventing UTIs

[treehugger1]

Otherwise, I guess we do know how Treehugger eventually made is making the money to finish up her schooling and it wasn't isn't grants.

That's right. I'm sleeping my way to the Ph.D. ;-) Just kidding ... mostly. Sorry, if it's TMI, though.

- try using plenty of lubricant; friction + bare skin =  increased chances for infection

- prophylactic antibiotic use, like 500mg ciprofloxacin post-coitally and 12 hours thereafter (MDs can feel free to jump on me for this, I've heard it all before)

- similar to above, travel to a malarial area and take 100mg doxycycline daily -- the malaria prophylaxis also does a good job preventing UTIs

Thanks, spork.

I saw something on-line about a prophylactic dose of antibiotics. Maybe it'll be back to the MD. again.

So,  it seems that no-one so far had this kind of problem at the beginning of a relationship, but then had it go away went away w/o serious mesures being taken? This seemed to happen way back in one of my earlier relationships.

[polly_mer]

So,  it seems that no-one so far had this kind of problem at the beginning of a relationship, but then had it go away went away w/o serious mesures being taken? This seemed to happen way back in one of my earlier relationships.

Many things in life get better on their own if you just give them time.  This may be one of those cases.  However, since you appear to be bothered enough to ask, many of these measures are pretty easy to give a try and see if they fix your problem.  Your other easy choice is to decide that condoms are worth the trouble and go restock your supply, even if you don't need them for contraception.

[treehugger1]

So,  it seems that no-one so far had this kind of problem at the beginning of a relationship, but then had it go away went away w/o serious mesures being taken? This seemed to happen way back in one of my earlier relationships.

Many things in life get better on their own if you just give them time.  This may be one of those cases.  However, since you appear to be bothered enough to ask, many of these measures are pretty easy to give a try and see if they fix your problem.  Your other easy choice is to decide that condoms are worth the trouble and go restock your supply, even if you don't need them for contraception.

Good idea. I'll do a little experimenting. But, I've gone ahead and taken the antibiotics for now (just in case).

[collegekidsmom]

Menopause(lack of estrogen) is likely a factor.  It might be best to discuss management/strategy with an gynecologist.

From the abstract in:
 Clin Infect Dis. 1999 Apr;28(4):723-5.:

"In postmenopausal women, lack of estrogen appears to be an important factor predisposing to recurrent UTI,..."

and from an abstract in
J Gen Intern Med. 2008 May; 23(5): 595–599.

"Our data suggest that, as with younger women, recent sexual intercourse is strongly associated with incident UTI in generally healthy post-menopausal women. "

[hegemony]

Likely you have not gotten it from Mr. Treehugger -- you don't need an infection for this to happen.  It happens when the bacteria in the area (your own, not someone else's) get pushed up into the urethra.

If it's really a urinary infection, I wouldn't mess around with not getting it treated.  If untreated, it can travel up your system to your kidneys.  Kidney infections are nothing to play around with; they are often treated in hospital.  Sometimes they kill you.  Another reason you want to avoid a kidney infection is the pain, which is considerable.

And untreated UTIs do tend to become kidney infections.  It's happened to me twice in the past two years.  One was an infection I didn't treat; one was because the antibiotics they gave me weren't strong enough.  The second one lasted six months and ended with over a week completely bedridden with 102F+ fever.   Really, don't risk it. 

[reener06]

Likely you have not gotten it from Mr. Treehugger -- you don't need an infection for this to happen.  It happens when the bacteria in the area (your own, not someone else's) get pushed up into the urethra.

If it's really a urinary infection, I wouldn't mess around with not getting it treated.  If untreated, it can travel up your system to your kidneys.  Kidney infections are nothing to play around with; they are often treated in hospital.  Sometimes they kill you.  Another reason you want to avoid a kidney infection is the pain, which is considerable.

And untreated UTIs do tend to become kidney infections.  It's happened to me twice in the past two years.  One was an infection I didn't treat; one was because the antibiotics they gave me weren't strong enough.  The second one lasted six months and ended with over a week completely bedridden with 102F+ fever.   Really, don't risk it. 

Chime on this. I too have had two kidney infections in the past year. For some reason, they came without any symptoms of a UTI, just went straight to the kidneys. The pain is almost unbearable. And you feel sick as a dog.

I've had countless UTIs. If you can get a doctor to give you the low-dose meds get them. For some reason docs around here now refuse to do it, but they did it for me a few years back. I have a chronic illness that makes me more vulnerable to UTIs. Also, lots of cranberry pills (if you don't like the juice) and lots of clear water. Cut back on caffeine. And finally, with the UTIs and the antibiotics invariably comes a yeast infection. See if the doc will prescribe you something for that when they prescribe the antibiotics, or at least be prepared and get some OTC medicine.

We've found that having hubby wash hands before sex cut down a lot on UTIs, but not wholly.

[zuzu_]

lurquita has given you wise advice about cranberry TABLETS (+ water) for preventative maintenence. Taking these is much easier than drinking huge amounts of pure cranberry juice.