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reccurent uti's/std question
Hello Doctors:
Here is the background information:
I have suffered from recurrent uti's for about two years. I am female, 30 years old. Primary symptom will be a burning when I urinate and back pain. I have been tested many times at the doctor, I think at least 5 times for trichomonias- mostly with the doctor looking under the microscope and once about 3 weeks ago with a DNA test. Also have been tested for gonherrea and chlymadia many times both with the urine test and pelvic swab. All negative, every time. Also been tested for bv and yeast many times, usually negative yet symptoms continue to persist even after antibiotics usually Macrobid or Keflex. I usually feel better after antibiotics but a week later the symptoms will return.
I discovered about 2 weeks ago my boyfriend had another partner who he swears was clean about 6 weeks ago. We had intercourse(unprotected) prior to me finding out recently. Around the same time my uti symptoms started up again. I took a course of macrobid(100mg/7days) and my symptoms didn''t subside and am now on my second course of macrobid(100mg/7days) and I am feeling better.
My questions are:
1. Do you think my symptoms may be caused by chlymadia/gonherrea, that it is contributing to my uti symptoms?
2. Do you think it is necessary I get tested for STD's again? I have grown tired of being tested over and over again, as my symptoms don't seem to change.
3. If so since I have bascially been on macrobid for almost two weeks how long should I wait before I take the gonherrea/chlymadia urine test? When will the results be accurate?
4. Is there some other cause even std related I should be exlporing with my doctor? I have grown tired of just going in for the same tests with no real improvement other than just a couple of weeks here and there with relief.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
Here is the background information:
I have suffered from recurrent uti's for about two years. I am female, 30 years old. Primary symptom will be a burning when I urinate and back pain. I have been tested many times at the doctor, I think at least 5 times for trichomonias- mostly with the doctor looking under the microscope and once about 3 weeks ago with a DNA test. Also have been tested for gonherrea and chlymadia many times both with the urine test and pelvic swab. All negative, every time. Also been tested for bv and yeast many times, usually negative yet symptoms continue to persist even after antibiotics usually Macrobid or Keflex. I usually feel better after antibiotics but a week later the symptoms will return.
I discovered about 2 weeks ago my boyfriend had another partner who he swears was clean about 6 weeks ago. We had intercourse(unprotected) prior to me finding out recently. Around the same time my uti symptoms started up again. I took a course of macrobid(100mg/7days) and my symptoms didn''t subside and am now on my second course of macrobid(100mg/7days) and I am feeling better.
My questions are:
1. Do you think my symptoms may be caused by chlymadia/gonherrea, that it is contributing to my uti symptoms?
2. Do you think it is necessary I get tested for STD's again? I have grown tired of being tested over and over again, as my symptoms don't seem to change.
3. If so since I have bascially been on macrobid for almost two weeks how long should I wait before I take the gonherrea/chlymadia urine test? When will the results be accurate?
4. Is there some other cause even std related I should be exlporing with my doctor? I have grown tired of just going in for the same tests with no real improvement other than just a couple of weeks here and there with relief.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In rereading your question, I think I misinterpreted it. Apparently you don't have documented UTIs, just recurrent symptoms of painful urination and back pain. Is that right?
The lack of response to antibiotics suggests not that you are infected with resistant bacteria, but that no bacterial infection at all is responsible.
Have you been checked for genital herpes? Are there any open sores or other lesions when you're having symptoms? I doubt herpes is the explanation, but perhaps it should be checked out to be certain.
The lack of response to antibiotics suggests not that you are infected with resistant bacteria, but that no bacterial infection at all is responsible.
Have you been checked for genital herpes? Are there any open sores or other lesions when you're having symptoms? I doubt herpes is the explanation, but perhaps it should be checked out to be certain.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. I'll try to help.
As someone with recurrent UTI, you probably have learned that sex often triggers episodes. (Hence the old term "honeymoon cystitis".) Such women are colonized with UTI bacteria like E. coli and others in the vaginal area, and during sex the bacteria can be massaged into the urethra. Most likely that is what is going on now -- nothing related to your partner's recent sexual infidelity.
1) The main symptom of gonorrhea and chlamydia in women is vaginal discharge, not painful or urgent urination. These STDs can mimic UTI, but usually do not. If your symptoms are typical for your past UTIs, that is probably what you have.
2) It is wise for any people who are sexually active outside monogamous relationships, or are the partners of persons who have other partners, to have periodic STD testing. On that basis, you should be tested from time to time. But I doubt it is the problem now.
3) Nitrofurantoin (the generic name) is not usually active against gonorrhea or chlamydia. Still, it might interfere with testing. Probably best to wait until you have been off the drug for a couple of weeks.
4) The obvious explanation usually is the right one. I'm sure doctor would agree with my comments above.
Returning to your recurrent UTI: After repeated treatments, it is common for the bacteria causing UTI to become resistant. Given the delayed response to treatment, most likely you were infected with a strain resistant to nitrofurantoin -- which these days is not the usual drug used for UTIs anyway. You might talk to your doctor about other possible treatments in the future. Second, if your UTIs regularly are triggered by sex, you might take a single dose of antibiotic after intercourse. (I have personal experience with this. For several years my wife had recurrent, sex-triggered UTIs. Taking a single low dose of ciprofloxacin was highly effective in preventing her infections. After a few years, she was able to stop and the problem didn't return.)
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
As someone with recurrent UTI, you probably have learned that sex often triggers episodes. (Hence the old term "honeymoon cystitis".) Such women are colonized with UTI bacteria like E. coli and others in the vaginal area, and during sex the bacteria can be massaged into the urethra. Most likely that is what is going on now -- nothing related to your partner's recent sexual infidelity.
1) The main symptom of gonorrhea and chlamydia in women is vaginal discharge, not painful or urgent urination. These STDs can mimic UTI, but usually do not. If your symptoms are typical for your past UTIs, that is probably what you have.
2) It is wise for any people who are sexually active outside monogamous relationships, or are the partners of persons who have other partners, to have periodic STD testing. On that basis, you should be tested from time to time. But I doubt it is the problem now.
3) Nitrofurantoin (the generic name) is not usually active against gonorrhea or chlamydia. Still, it might interfere with testing. Probably best to wait until you have been off the drug for a couple of weeks.
4) The obvious explanation usually is the right one. I'm sure doctor would agree with my comments above.
Returning to your recurrent UTI: After repeated treatments, it is common for the bacteria causing UTI to become resistant. Given the delayed response to treatment, most likely you were infected with a strain resistant to nitrofurantoin -- which these days is not the usual drug used for UTIs anyway. You might talk to your doctor about other possible treatments in the future. Second, if your UTIs regularly are triggered by sex, you might take a single dose of antibiotic after intercourse. (I have personal experience with this. For several years my wife had recurrent, sex-triggered UTIs. Taking a single low dose of ciprofloxacin was highly effective in preventing her infections. After a few years, she was able to stop and the problem didn't return.)
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
