I would appreciate opinions from experienced women and medical professionals on the forum. My wife has been very prone to UTI in recent years and recently finished a treatment prescribed by a urologist. The urologist suggested that we use condoms to perform coitus in order to help prevent coital related UTI in the future. Of course I am going to do what is best for my wife, but I wonder why and how a condom would influence this. I would expect that a condom, with the necessity of additional lubrication would be more likely to provoke irritation.
And no, my wife has not yet asked her gynecologist's opinion on this.
Wed, 12/01/2010 - 16:02
#1
UTI and condom?
Best advice you've allready given yourself; let her ask her doc! :)
I don't know if I'm "experienced", certainly no medical professional ;) But I have been prone to UTI as long as I can remember and from a certain age was asked about sexual activities by each doc I visited. One time I just asked why sexual activities was of so much interest. My then-doc explained that there usually are bacteria on the penis. Because of the friction, the urethra of the woman opens and closes a little while penetrating the vagina, rubbing the bacteria on it. So his advice: to at least always pee after having sex, flushing away these bacteria. And good hygiene for both.
Surprisingly, I have experienced less UTI's since I became sexually active. But I must admit that after kidney-inflammation a year prior, I've been really monitoring it closely and immediately respond. I posted some advice on this before (on a thread going off topic: http://www.sexinfo101.com/forum/sexual-health-women/27757-home-remedies-... ) Maybe your wife would like to discuss such options with her doc as well?
[QUOTE=RedRoses;259658]
I used to have a lot of problems with UTI's as a child, up to a point I wasn't allowed to have any more penicillin and was about the same weight as my 3 years younger sister...
Vitamin C
What really helped by back then; eating lots and lots of vitamin C. Together with lots and lots of water. Supplements up to 1000 mg. Your body will get rid off all the excessive vitamin C. This is supposed to raise the acidity levels to such extremes in your bladder that it kills all bacteria. You should keep the high doses about a week after all complaints have passed. Vitamin C is usually harmless, but could become harmful to your kidneys, whenever keeping up with such high doses for too long. This is one of the reasons why you really need to drink all the water. The other is too keep your bladder flushed and rinsed to clear it out asap :) And remember: UTI's gone wild will attack your kidneys, so at a certain moment; it's about making the better choice (together with your doc!). Just like you would with any type of medication and it's side-effects. And vitamin C is rather mild on side-effects.
Baking Soda
Another way that is very effective is baking soda. Mix with warm water. And keep drinking it throughout the day AMAP. This will have a reversed effect; the aciditylevels in your bladder become basic, which also makes a negative environment for bacteria. And the (very) good part: it makes peeing be less hurting! It soothes :) Side-effect: it does influence your stomach (also used to fight nausea) and could influence your stool as well; sometimes for good, sometimes for worse...
Consult your doc!
I've fought off UTI's through the years using these methods, so please discuss this with your doc
I usually start right a way, once I suspect UTI. Since it's harmless and cause it's way easier to fight it in the early stages. But I have a history and agreed with my doc on this. Next morning I visit the doc's assistant. Cause whatever you do:
- Get your urine checked at the doctor's to make sure you have an UTI. (You don't want to fight ghosts)
- Consult your doctor on your physics considering baking soda/vitamin C. (Perhaps your physics do not allow this treatment)
- And have your doctor check your urine after to see if it's really gone.[/QUOTE]
I hope this is of any help. Good luck!
Redroses has given you some good thoughts. The doctor is eliminating potential causes. The penis will have bacteria that may be contributing. More likely, you two are sharing the problem. She infects you, a subclinical dose in your urethra, and you reinfect her as your ejaculate carries those bacteria into her. Urethritis is an infection not an inflammation from foreign substances so neither the condom nor whatever lube you choose (I suggest the old standby K-Y) will contribute. You may be wise to use poly condoms - polyurethane or poly iso - rather than latex. The latex is more abrasive.
A thought for her to discuss with the family doctor: Treat both of you at the same time with whatever antibiotic is being used. Use condoms throughout the regimen of drugs. A urologist may not think of that. So have yourself checked for UTI.
Red Roses and Brandye thank you for the comments. I had not thought of the penis harbouring harmful bacteria. I have nothing to refute that, but would have thought that the almost eternally humid vulva would be a better breeding ground than the mostly dry penis for bacteria. I fdoubt that I have ever directly infected her, but a little over a year a go she gave me a very uncomfortable NGU. I took the full course of antibiotic. Anyway we have been looking for polyurethane condoms or lambskin,just in case there is something to this, because latex is so desensitizing and abrasive as Brandye pointed out. Unfortunately here in Mexico we are over a decade behind in condom technology and cannot find either.
You make my point! She has infected you and that became serious enough to require treatment. It is very easy to pass an infection back and forth that way. It is likely that she was sub-clinical when you became infected.
You are correct that the vagina is great place for bacteria. But, it is a complete eco-system of flora and fauna that keep one another in check - whilst healthy. The UTI, on the other hand is not affecting her vaginally because it is primarily in the urethra and when one of the critters ventures into the vagina (daily) it is consumed as lunch by one already established there. Some of the critters do live within the folds of the labia and hop onboard when a friendly penis travels through. It could take up residence under your foreskin or, more likely, in your urethra and not give you symptoms.
By the way, many NGU in males result from enterobacteria migrating from the anus to the urethra which is lying quite close.
No foreskin here. We both had the urethritis at the same time. I got over mine relatively soon. Hers was a different thing all together. I just want to keep her healthy, both of us being 50ish I doubt we have more than another 40-50 years tops to be able to enjoy sex.
Ahhhh! You touched another issue. During menopause some women experience more problem with than UTIs and perhaps the beginning of vaginal dryness that sometimes exaggerates the feeling of irritation. Something else for her to consider on the next trip to the doctor.