Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI)

Hi @rbard48 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your question to this existing discussion about recurring urinary tract infections. I did this so you can read posts other members have written on the topic and to connect you with members like @nene22 @astaingegerdm @megan123 @baxtersmom @mpeters.

You might also be interested in this discussion with an informative post by @dawn_giacabazi
– female frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/female-frequent-urinary-tract-infections-utis/

Rbard, for an avid swimmer, I can imagine hearing that one can't swim because of recurrent bladder infections is devastating to hear and will affect her mental and physical health. I know pools can be a breeding ground for UTIs, but would've thought the ocean would be okay. Staying in a wet bathing suit is not a good idea and one should change into dry clothes after getting out of the water. Does your friend do that?

@rbard48 - What a terrible thing to be told when you basically live in the water.
Obviously, it is hard to know what the decision was based on without any information about diagnosis, tests etc.
Personally, I would never accept that recommendation without a second or third opinion. I don’t know how easy it would be for your friend to get another opinion.
Please forward my recommendation and also: Don’t give up!!

My girlfriend, age 65, has been diagnosed with grade 1 internal hemorrhoids. Her doctor told her that because of that, her bladder does not always empty completely which causes the UTI's. She is considering banding to see if this ends her problem with recurrent UTI. I'm hoping this helps her.

Had two bandings 30 years ago. worth it.

If you are a post menopausal it can be from atrophic vaginitis, which is managed with vaginal estrogen. Local creams “down there” don’t affect the breast. Urologists are ok but a Gyneocologist is better for females. Hope this helps. I have the same propensity and things have improved with vaginal estrogen therapy.

I use a product called Utiva. It comes in capsule form. It is not a drug but made out of cranberry . I get in Toronto where I live. I haven't had a UTI for the last 9 months. If you can't get it where you live,.private message me and I can give you the details. Victor A.

Does anyone have any experience using methenamine mandelate? It is a urinary anti-infective as opposed to an antibiotic? It supposedly does not affect the gut biome and become resistant. My doctor recommended it, but I don't know much about it. Does it have a good safety profile?

@fotula
Good afternoon,
My Dad took it for many years. He was a Quadriplegic who are very prone to UTI’s as are Paraplegics. I doubt you will be disappointed in its effectiveness. Taking it certainly beats frequent infections.
Best of luck,
Jake

Thank you so much. I don't know that much about it and wanted to make sure it has a good safety profile.

@fotula
Hello again,
My dad never had any side effects. If memory serves he took 500-1,000mg 4 times a day. His urologist told him to take vitamin C with it to keep the iron acidic. If I remember that converts it to formaldehyde and ammonia and keeps the ph in balance. Cranberry juice works too but get the unsweetened. Although it has hasn’t scientifically been proven to prevent urinary track infection there is something in it that helps keep the bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. Whether that’s beneficial or not I wouldn’t know. Drink lots of water too. I never alternative is lemon juice. I’ve had 8 kidney stones and my urologist said lemonade is the gold standard in preventing them. It definitely would keep your urine acidic.
That’s all I can remember now besides it’s time for a candy bar break.
Jake