QuestionDear Dr. Culligan,
My recurrent UTIs are killing our sex life!
Ever since last November, I have had a UTI almost once a month (we got married in May, and this did not happen before November). I'm usually prescribed Nitrofurantoin and the last time I was prescribed Cipro.
First of all, let me tell you that my husband and I use Natural Family Planning. For that reason, we have to abstain about 15 days a month.
And then, when I have the UTIs, we have to abstain some more.
This problem has taken away the fun from sex. First of all, I'm being afraid of getting a new UTI. Second, we don't dare to make love in a position other than the missionary, because I've read that other positions may promote UTIs. We are showering before sex too, so going to the bedroom is like going to the operating room, since we try to be so clean. And we're not making love two days in a row anymore, to see if this helps.
Please, doctor, tell me if these measures are wise, because if they're not, then we won't go through all the trouble.
Thank you for your time,
Eugenia
AnswerI have a couple of suggestions, but you can't really do them on your own - they should be done in association with a doctor or other appropriate medical professional:
1) Most of the things you are currently doing to decrease your risk of uti are probably not helping. I think you should just be careful to empty your bladder right after intercourse. If what you are experiencing is really UTI, then that should help.
2) determine for sure that these really are UTI's. There are other things that can make you feel exactly like you have a uti. For example, Interstitial Cystitis. Type that name into a search engine, and you can read about it. I'm not saying you have that problem, but if you don't actually have UTI's - it is possible.
the way to find out whether you are actually getting UTI's is for you to give your doctor a urine sample EVERY TIME you feel like you have one. Don't just assume you do - and get a Rx called in. The other thing (most important of all) is for your doctor to actually send the urine sample off to a lab for a culture. The answer won't be ready for about 3 days.
You can go ahead and take antibiotics (if you really want to ) in the mean time...but it might turn out that these aren't really UTI's at all.
Assuming they are UTI's , you should see a urogynecologist or female urologist. These types of physicians specialize in treating these problems.
Best of luck to you. Your problem sounds like one that can be solved - don't lose faith.
