Urinary Tract Infections

[sera300]

This the very reason when a person on-line has low abdominal pain; I advise to see the doc immediately, such as with women. I will not mention E. Pregs. I am fearful of a rampant amount of posts and unnecessary concerns.

Dosing? If something seems odd a poster writes such as treatment for 4 days only on a UTI; I tell them they need to call the prescriber it's generally longer. Locally, here where I am, Macrobid is the choice; geography separates all of us, which med we use, and why. None of us will ever agree-100%. Pyridium is about the only choice of the ones you listed to alleviate the discomfort which is carried by the pharmacy's in my area.

I am fearful of getting to in depth that a younger poster, new to sex, does not wish to tell a parent the need to go to a doc and will look in the medicine cabinet & self medicate. See what mom has or a friends mom to see if they are compatible. If they look it up on line, names of meds; I am also fearful they will not take the correct amount, the right pill, or have an allergic reaction and no one will know why. Much seen in EDs as you know.

Similarly, I know the old meds for a TOP early staged prior to the RU becoming available--I will never post the info. The only reference I have put up was on Emergency contraception (a link) for a couple in their teens who just had a mishap over missing a pill when they could not get to a store to purchase a morning after pill. Additionally, I have posted that the MAP can be mail ordered or will post info on how to get to Planned Parenthood or County Clinic.

I believe this is really the common thread; each wishes to help. Education is great but in ways, when the PDR became available to patients, I nearly cried since too much info. they refuse to take the Dig. Proper Patient MD/DO/PA/NP teaching to the patient is essential. It's reinforced by the RN & Pharmacist. I recall years ago when Cipro came out; ask how many docs knew nothing about no caffeine with the med! Patients were bouncing off the walls.

In a nutshell, there is no substitute for good, direct, proper patient & health care provider. The only reason I wrote the sticky initially was due to many women becoming sexually active and complaints of urinary frequency or post-sex irritation. A few the initial symptoms wore off and other's were debating seeking medical care. A few came back with a UTI DX; however, they were not told about how to prevent and why you need to watch out of them--it was evident in the posts which were ongoing at the time.

[Brandye]

There are places in the world, many English-speaking, where an apothecary will sell anything the patient can pronounce. For instance, a young Indian woman described buying mifepristone OTC. I do not know whether the usual accompanying drug was also purchased. Virtually any psychotropic you can name is available in from any apothecary in parts of S. America.

I shall not be responsible for someone in Bangladesh reading a suggested medication here and dying when she did not seek proper diagnosis.

I will also point out that I have been criticized for lengthy posts and medical detail. People can get suggestions here but will not read the caveats and do not always know the differences among lower abdominal pains.

The best medical experiences I have had have been on medical missions. A ten year old X-ray that sometimes works; meds are on the shelf and that is the complete pharmacopeia; along with a stethoscope, carry needle nippers and a syringe crusher - so they are not reused by a local EMT. Different perspective on patient care.

[nicolex610]

UTI's are horrible. I've gotten two and they were both from getting fingered.

[bluetide76]

I've read the detailed information here and understand the certain prevention methods and how to treat, but I have a bit of a special case I'd like to ask about. My girlfriend seems to get either a milt UTI or a full UTI rather often from our sexual play. We have tried using wipes and making sure we clean our hands before and after. Also she urinates after each time. I was reading online that some women get them very often from sex and have to take a regular medication each time. How do you know if this is the case and if there is anything else we can do? Thanks for any information.

[nuttychick]

You could try cranberry juice .. my Gyno told me
it "could be a good natural preventative for some"

[bluetide76]

See she has been drinking cranberry juice to try and help but all that really does is make it a bit harder for bacteria to stick the walls.

Just a few thoughts and questions I have. Can a UTI be caused by any sort of irritation? Say by condom types or spermicide? I also note that we do engage in oral and finger play. Should I try using hand sanitizer before any sexual activity? We are quite active so I want to be safe because I dont like her having to suffer through these. Any help would be great

[Steff]

Ughh, UTI's suck. When i got mine i just drank cranberry juice and water by the gallons and it went away. Also it's important to go to the br a lot. Esp before and after sex. That worked for me. I didn't even go to a doctor and it went away in lie 3 days.

[dlb]

For any women out there who are prone to UTI and medicos also:
Are there any sexual positions which seem more likely to be involved in UTI caused by coitus?