Wellness

[sligo]

I had a terrible time with UTIs. Finally my uro;ogist attended a conference.A product named ELLURA was discussed.

I was rec. to try. Stated on pkg to use 1 a day. Since I was having bad time I started with 2 a day. Tale 1 Azo cran tablet and 2 Ellura every morning. Ellura was ordered though company in Georgia. It is now available from "A". Have not had a uti (KNOCK WOOD) in almost two years. Thank God  Ellura is expensive. I think 129.00 for 60 capsules. To me it was worth the price. No dr. visits or presc. that never cleared infections. Was not able to drink cran juices. This really worked. No more UTI with all discomfort they brought

[debic]

We were told by a real doctor that you can't drink enough cranberry juice to make a difference and to take the concentrated pills.

[Gracies Mom]

I use Cranberry Concentrate capsules made by Sonora Nutrition--extra strength formula--sold on Amazon. They seem to work and are easy to take (I take them twice a day).

DO NOT use anything with estrogen without first speaking to your doctor!!!!! Estrogen can be dangerous if used by women who have/had breast cancer and/or uterine cancer that is estrogen positive--the cancer feeds off of the estrogen and can spread!!!! I am one of those women with estrogen positive uterine cancer--and I take Femara (a hormone blocker) to keep my cancer at bay.

I also use RePlens vag moisturizer to keep that area from getting too dry--which can contribute to UTI's---there are internal and external gels--I use both.

[happy32]

Andrew Lessman's Cranberry vitamins were a life saver for me. I was getting UTI's every 4 months or so. I started taking these vitamins everyday and I haven't had a UTI in years.

[x Hedge]

@RedTop,

you don't need to upset your sugar by taking so much cranberry juice.  A 4oz glass for breakfast and a 4oz glass in the evening, about 12 hours later, will provide you with the preventative theraputic effect you desire.

My dietitian sister says some brands are too watered down and over-sweetened to be effective. She orders Ocean Spray brand in the original formula for her hospital.

Personally, I buy big bottles at Sam's.  

@jpie

Thanks for the picture of Azo. I've seen it in stores but never stopped to read the small print at the bottom until now.

@KCDiva

One of the best things I did for myself during peri-menopause was start the habit of placing a 16oz bottle of water at my bedside every night.

In the morning, before I even get out of bed, I open that bottle and drink it all. I had no idea how thirsty I was in the morning! That extra 16oz made a big difference in being well hydrated without a lot of extra effort.

[Lipstickdiva]

I know you said this has been an ongoing problem for the last 2 years or so, so this probably isn't your problem but I had 3 right in a row starting the week before x-mas and I was never put on the right antibiotic to get rid of it.

Everytime it would happen, it was after doctor's hours or I couldn't get into my doc so I kept going to an express clinic.  The put me on an antibiotic which I would take and about 2 weeks later I'd have another infection and be put on another antibiotic.  The third time a different NP saw me, put me on something different and I've been fine since.

I think the jury is still out on whether cranberry juice really does anything or not.  I've seen research saying it helps and research saying there is no definite conclusion that cranberry does anything for urinary tract health.    

[tends2dogs]

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@piperbay wrote:

The  associate from the Vitamin Shoppe had told me to take a teaspoon of D Mannose powder everyday as a preventive for UTI's. D Mannose is a simple sugar that is supposed to help bacteria not to stick to the bladder. Once my UTI was gone, I didn't keep up with it in full honesty.

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@piperbay  D Mannose powder or capsules is a good preventive or if you are having a UTI.  You can take it long term with no problem.

[tends2dogs]

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@janeec wrote:

Cranberry juice lowers the pH of the urine as generally the more acidic the urine the less likely bacteria can thrive in that environment.  Keep hydrated.  Some basic hygiene can help, voiding before and after sex, partner taking a shower beforehand and clean hands as well. Good air circulation as bacteria love dark, warm, moist environments.  Going to the bathroom when you need to and not procrastinating.

I wish you the best as I too have been there, done that. 

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Good info, @janeec.  I would add, wiping front to back, never the other way around .

[hyacinth003]

Drink a lot of water - it flushes any bacteria from the urine and helps any uncomfortable sensations.

Wiping front to back always.

Go right after sexual relations.  Women have a very short urethra, so any friction against it can move bacteria up to the bladder.  Some women take an antibiotic after sex. 

Go frequently enough.  Respond promptly to normal urge to go.  Less time it sits in your bladder, the bacteria won't have too much time to reproduce their numbers.

Be sure you have been checked for diabetes.  If you have had several in 2 years, I would see a urologist.  They can figure this out.

Hyacinth