Can anyone offer advice or input on my reccuring UTI's with uncircumcised partner?

[gilmorelorelai]

Hello everyone - I wanted to see if anyone has gone through a similar situation, or has any advice.
I'm a 24 year old female who has been suffering from recurring UTI's over the past 8 months. The UTI's started when I began seeing and having intercourse with my current boyfriend -- I have had other sexual partners before him and never had this issue, in fact, my very first UTI was a month into my relationship with my now-boyfriend. The only difference I can attribute to  my current boyfriend is that he is the only guy I've been with sexually who is uncircumcised. I've read online that this does not make a difference in getting UTI's, but to me, it's reasonable to assume that being uncircumcised means it's easier for bacteria to accumulate and then be transferred to me during unprotected sex. However, after my first UTI my partner has made a very conscious effort to go to the restroom before sex to clean himself, and I have made it a habit to use the restroom afterwards and to clean myself as well. None of this has made a difference, as I am continuing to experience UTI's about every month and a half or so. With two of my infections, I can recall waking up the morning after sex to the burning and pain of a UTI. For the others, it was later the next day or a couple days after sex that I would develop symptoms. I'm pretty confident that my infections are not due to my hygiene practices because I am very consistent and thorough, and because I never experienced UTI's before my current boyfriend. I took a break from intercourse for 3 weeks just to see if it would make a difference and I did not experience any symptoms of an infection. We have also tried condoms but because my boyfriend says they're uncomfortable, that didn't last very long.

I've been to urgent care four times over the last 8 months, with one UTI being officially confirmed as E. Coli with the lab growth tests (sorry I don't know the correct medical term), and 3 which came back positive in the office with "trace intact blood" and a "small" amount of leukocytes, but negative for bacterial growth a few days following my visit. Each was treated with macrobid or cipro successfully and never followed up with. I'm assuming that because I have had the same symptoms each time (cloudy urine, pain during and after urinating, frequent and urgent feelings), that the negative results were because my infection was not bad enough to cause bacterial growth in the lab tests, but that it was in fact a UTI. In all cases all symptoms disappeared once I completed the antibiotic regimen.

I do not believe that I have any underlying health issues because during August, a month that I did not experience any UTI symptoms, I received a complete blood count and urinalysis in which all levels were fine on all counts. UTI's are very common in the women in my family, but I don't understand if my boyfriend is causing my UTI's or if he somehow triggered my sensitivity towards them?

Also, I have had several STD tests to confirm that that is not an issue and I have repeatedly tested negative for gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes. My gynecologist also confirmed that I do not have any sort of vaginal infection or imbalance that could be causing the symptoms if I were to be mistaking them as urethral rather than vaginal, which I was not.

Since I go to urgent care rather than my regular doctor, each time I go I see a different doctor. The last time I went I was told that since I do see a direct connection between intercourse and UTI's that if I were to get another infection before the new year that I should ask about getting a prescription for an antibiotic to take after having sex. It has been about a month and a half since my last infection and I feel like one is currently developing, after having had sex with my boyfriend several times over the last weekend.

I mentioned this issue during my last physical to my regular doctor and she didn't seem concerned. She just told me that it's common to be irritated after sex because microscopic tears can occur. This was during a time that I had only experienced two UTI's, so maybe it didn't seem like a big issue to either of us.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm unsure of what steps to take next. If symptoms do worsen over the next few days I'm planning on revisiting urgent care and 1.) asking about the negative growth results with UTI symptoms and presence of blood and leukocytes, 2.) asking about the prescription to take after sex. I don't want to be on antibiotics every few months for any amount of time. This issue is also putting a strain on the sexual aspect of our relationship because he feels guilty and helpless and believes he is causing them (which may be true?), and because many times I avoid sex out of fear of developing an infection.

[clement4now]

Hi,
You might want to try the process of elimination to see what helps decrease your chances of recurring UTI symptoms. Always urinate and shower after sex. Unless you've already tried this, use non-latex condoms during sex for the next few weeks to see if that helps prevent any further signs of infection. Definitely increase your water intake daily to help keep your bladder flushed out and consider taking cranberry capsules (500mg) or cranberry supplements. Cranberry is full of antioxidants and can help clean out bacteria that can multiply in your urinary tract. Another idea to consider is avoiding any sexual activity that may cause friction/rubbing against your urethra, to avoid any irritation. I hope you find relief soon,  Take Care

[kurunish]

In addition, if you cannot fully shower after sex, keep a small cup of water and pour it on your vulva after you go to the bathroom after sex. I got this advise from my gyno and it helped me a lot. Cranberry capsules are also great as well as using condoms.