I'd never had a uti before I became
sexually active 6 months ago. The first
one appeared about 2 weeks after I began
sexual activity and appeared about 24
hours after an encounter. Now I have
another one 6 months later, which also
appeared 24 hours after. I'm almost
certain they're sex related.
The problem is that my partner and I are
completely healthy, I take all the
precautions, and no one in my family gets
uti's (my mother had one after her
hysterectomy, but that was it.) I was so
scared after the first one that I made
sure I was doing everything right (i was
before), but I still got one. Now i'm
scared of getting another one because, not
only is it expensive and painful, it means
that I would most likely have to see a
urologist.
I've been racking my brain trying to find
a commonality between the two incidents.
I thought the first one had been caused by
spermicide/spermicidal condoms, so we
stopped using it and I went on the ring
(which should also help prevent them), so
that can't be it. I've narrowed it down
to 2 possibilities: increased sexual
activity or accidentally "hitting the
wrong places."
both of these are very likely and I will
definitely try to fix them, but having to
limit my sexual activity and being scared
of something happening really isn't good.
Is there anything I can do to prevent or
counteract an attack if something goes
wrong? Like washing before/after (which
is not always possible)?
Also, what worked for you? Did you figure
out a trigger? Do cranberry pills really
work? Etc. I appreciate any experience
or advice.
|
amino65
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 267
Thanks: 9
Thanked:4
Posted: 04-19-06 01:22am
Hi. I'm sorry you are getting uti's they
suck. I used to get them all the time
when I was little, and just got one after
I became sexually active 2 months ago. I
am positive it was from an allergic
reaction to a spermicidal condom. But I
was stupid and didn't see a doctor, and
suffered with it for 3 weeks. So I
suggest that even if you don't want to see
a urologist, you should, because if you
leave uti's untreated, it can spread to
the kidneys, and this could lead to a very
bad infection (you'd need
hospitalization).
Yes cranberry pills do work. Try drinking
lots of cranberry juice. I was taking
antibiotics for my last uti. You can also
ask your doctor for a prescription only
pain medicine called pyridium (it's a
small burgandy pill that numbs the bladder
and urethra so you don't feel the pain,
but be warned that it will turn your urine
a reddish orangish color). This is not a
treatment, it merely treats the
symptoms.
Also, avoid caffeinated beverages, and try
wearing cotton underwear (women who are
severely prone get them more often if
their undies aren't breathable, like
cotton.). It is also said that some women
experience uti's in the beginning when
they are first becoming sexually active
(like both of us >_< !)
hope I helped.
|
Sereena
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 35
Posted: 04-19-06 10:59am
I got treated for both the day after I
contracted them. The pain was just too
bad. I couldn't even sit down. I guess
mine come on fast and furious. And I also
had pyridium the last time I was
treated... Only needed one pill. The
first time I had gone to a clinic and they
don't have all that fancy medication
there.
I don't have caffine, I drink cranberry
juice, and I don't own any non-cotton
underwear. Like I said, there's no stone
left unturned here, which is why i'm
confused/scared about getting more. I'll
probably try cranberry pills since it's
much easier than downing all that juice,
which isn't my favorite.
