Need advice and input regarding UTI and symptoms

[hope2feelbetter]

Hi Doctor,
I am a 25 year old female experiencing concerns regarding UTI symptoms and frequency.  About a week back , I was experiencing symptoms that are typically characterized with UTI (lower abdominal/ pelvic pain, blood in urine, and irritability and pain during urination).  I went to the Urgent Care doctor and the doctor prescribed an antibiotic Ciprofloxacn 250 mg, ten pills to take twice daily for a period of five days.  Upon finishing this medication , I still felt like I had a slight abdominal pain and an unusual discharge after urinating,  that was a bit yellowish in color, but had a consistency that was very thick and gooey (almost pliable, not the normal watery like discharge). I became concerned because I have never had this type of symptom after medical treatment.  Prior to my recent visit, I have asked my Primary doctor several times about the frequency of UTI in females, due to the fact that I frequently go to the doctors with a UTI diagnosis at least one every 3-4 months. I know that varying reasons could be causing my infection (dehydration, eating “too much sweets” and bacteria passed after having sex, even genetics). My mother and grandmother tend to get frequent UTI’s, but not as often as myself.  I feel I never receive a straight answer from my doctor, and I feel that I may be experiencing  symptoms from something other than a UTI. My question is how normal is it to get a UTI once every 3-4 months?  With these symptoms should I ask the doctor to follow-up with tests for something other than UTI?  Is there medication to treat frequent UTI?
I am really concerned and would appreciate an honest response. Thanks for your time.

[junie37]

Hi, i know just how you feel, sorry that you have this as its miserable.  I had UTI's for years, from my mid 20's on. About 5 years into it, ended up in the hospital for a week with beeding bladder Ulcers.  I would be feeling ok and by that evening have blood in my urine. A while after that, I changed Drs and was still having these off and on.  He said " Can't let this continue " and gave me a series of Antibiotics. It's been a long time but think it was Azo Gantrisin, Bactrim and 1 other , maybe Furadantin or Macrodantin ( or something like that ) .. At least I know I took those during that time.  I took each Med for 2 weeks at a time followed immediately by the next one and that seemed to finally break that cycle. I had taken a number of meds , had neumerous x-rays, and dye injected at  one time to watch for any malformation of the bladder/Kidneys. I think I was told there was an area sort of like a cup( partial blockage, I guess in either bladder or Kidney ( don't remember which ).  Also had the Urethrea stretched and bladder filled with Argerole.

Tho this has become less frequent with time, ( had complete hysterectomy in my 40's )  every so often I have either an infection or a burning feeling which sends me in to be checked and turns out to be--- not sure what as no infection.  Perhaps I do not drink enough water  ???  Recently had that happen but tests were negative for infection. Am still burning 2 wks later and will go back if it does not let up soon.
Hope you find something that works as you get really run down with continual infections and it's no fun, thats for sure!

I did in later years test positive for Diabetes and have always bf. that, eaten a lot of sweets tho never connected the two.  Now, i wonder if I may even then have been a borderline Diabetic as it run in the family.
  Anyway, good Luck,
                                    Junie

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

First of all, are your UTI's documented (culture proven)? Not all symptoms of a UTI are truly UTI's. Are the follow-up urine cultures (two weeks after you finish the antibiotics) sterile or are there still bacteria in significant numbers present? How long have you been getting UTI's, since childhood? Only since you are sexually active? Is there a relationship between your sexual activity and these UTI's? Do you just need to take a single dose of an antibiotic following sexual activity to prevent these episodes? In short, I think that you should see a urologist to help sort out what is happening to you.
By the way, bubble baths, colored toilette paper, eating sweets and a whole bunch of other supposed causes are NOT related to urine infections.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.

This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. It
does not  necessarily reflect the opinions of Henry Ford  Hospital  or the
Vattikuti Urologic Institute.  Please consult your physician for diagnostic
and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical  condition