"Honeymoon" cystitis

EmmaS712 · May 2011

I've been married 9 months and had 6 UTIs. Both my hubby and I were virgins before we were married (so it's not any kind of STD). I do everything right - wipe the right way, take cranberry, pee before and after sex ... everything!!

I know honeymoon cystitis is common, but I was just wondering if anyone else out there had gotten this many UTIs.... and whether or not it's ever going to stop!?!?

justaname · May 2011

It sounds like you are trying to do things right here. Keep yourself very well hydrated and pee as often as you can. Shower (both of you) both before and after sex, take 2 Azo cranberry tablets 2x per day. I would go get a urine culture next time you have one to see what organism it is to make sure you are on an appropriate antibiotic that the organism is sensitive to. Ask your doctor about getting a prescription for a macrolide (anti-infective). Also have them make sure that these are true UTIs and not just urethral spasms. The two can have very similar symptoms. The latter will not be helped by antibiotics.

You may also need a referral to a urologist and have a bladderscopy done and other tests run. 6 UTIs in 9 months? I dont know what symptoms you have but the UTIs I have had are something I wouldnt wish on my enemies. Good luck and I hope you can get this resolved!!

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carcrashheart · May 2011

Boy, I had no idea we were supposed to be taking cranberry daily. It sounds like you're doing too much and still getting far too many UTI's. If it were me I would see my doctor to talk about it because it sounds like there's more going on. I never pee before and after sex, usually only after and that isn't all the time, neither of us shower before or after, I don't take cranberry and if I do any of those things it isn't for awhile after since we're TTC. I can't recall the last UTI I got. Call your doctor, just to be safe and for the sake of your comfort!

justaname · May 2011

Lol I wouldn't suggest all of that to someone who isn't having issues, but this is what has (knock on wood!) worked for me as I am super prone to UTIs, although I didnt ever have to go the urologist route. The other modifications I mentioned worked really well. I only take the macrolide if I realize that I wasn't really hydrated enough to begin with.

jennocide · May 2011

DEF. see a doctor for an official diagnosis. Anecdotal evidence is lovely for your peace of mind, but a doctor will be able to actually solve it.

I had a similar problem when I first started sleeping with my current boyfriend. I thought I was getting chronic UTIs--seriously, every time we would have sex, the next day, it would hit with it. It was depressing. It made me anxious during sex because I didn't want to deal with another flipping UTI the next day! Annoying!

But when I saw my gyno, she said it was likelier that I was experiencing vaginal bruising due to my new boyfriend's penis having a different shape and angle than my ex's. My vagina wasn't used to getting hit in that particular spot during thrusting, so it bruised easily. We abstained for a few weeks, gave my bruises plenty of time to fully heal, and we've been right as rain since.

So it could be UTIs, it could be something that feels similar, which you didn't even realize could happen. To the doctor with you!

CARLINE1027 · May 2011

Yeah that happened to me a few times, I drank lots of water, cranberry juice unfrotuanley that doesnt help much . you should go see your doctor for antibiotic and they might recommend changes in your diet avoiding caffeine, tea & cola.also avoiding bubble bath, urinating every 2-3hrs and wearing lose fitting clothing all help.

good luck

DANCINGBUTTERCUP25 · May 2011

My friend was a virgin when she got married to. Actualy she and her husband were both virgins. She said she had reccuring uti's for a year and then they stop all of a sudden. I think your body is getting used to his bacteria.

JHart264 · May 2011

Are you using latex condoms? I had this problem when I first started having sex, being careful like you, and it was because of the latex. If you aren't ready for a baby you could try b.c. or a non-latex condom? That's what we use, and the problem has gone away. Another thing of course is just to be sure you drink plenty of water. Hope this helps!

XO

MrsNYCteach · May 2011

This is happening to me too and I have been married for 6 years. But just got off bc and now using latex condoms. I didn't know that latex condoms make this happen. humm... wonder waht the dr will say at my appt on thurs

BlackDiamond3201 · May 2011

My friend had a similar issue. She saw a urologist and there was something wrong with the structure of her uretha or her bladder. I don't recall. She takes antibiotics after each time.

madreselva27 · May 2011

Well, I probably shouldn't know this, but I do. My mother's best friend suffers from something similar. She gets an UTI almost every time she has sex with her husband. The good news is that it can be solved. Apparently lots of women suffer from it. In her case, her Dr. gave her an antibiotic, she has to take a pill after sex, and the UTI stays away.

Another thing you should consider is that some germs that cause UTIs tend to colonize your urinary tract, so even when it seems you are cured, it always comes back, and you need a long term antibiotic treatment to get rid of it.

Bottom line: Go to your Dr.!!!

EmmaS712 · May 2011

Thanks girls - really appreciate your comments & tips!

I have been to the doctor, every time. And I get antiobiotics every time and they seem to help. (they usually take a culture too to make sure I'm on the right one)..The doctors just keep telling me "it's really common in newlyweds". [if they do keep happening, i might go down the urologist route, although i really just think it's my body getting used to DH's gross bacteria! Stick out tongue ].

Unfortunately most of my friends are not yet married so there's not many women around who i can just have a chat about UTIs with ... which is why i thought i'd turn to the big bad world of the internet and just find out everyone else's experience. I'm really just curious to know what "honeymoon cystitis" meant for other people....

LaceD10 · May 2011

I can't use condoms that have spermicide. Once I stopped using them, it worked wonders. A friend had the same problem and her doc told her to stop with the spermicide as well. Good luck!

mags2004 · May 2011

I had this problem occur after being sexually active for a while. A supplement called Mannose (which is almost impossible to find btw) helps. you have to go to a health food store (not GNC) or you can buy it online. I buy it on amazon. It is a sugar that attaches to e. coli bacteria and prevents it from becoming attached to the wall of your bladder. I tried it sceptically, but it worked and now if my bladder feels a little funny i just take a couple and it settles out. If the infection is not being caused by e. coli it will not help, but most occurrences of cystits are. If it does not clear up after a day and a half, you should still see a doctor

BeautifulExchange · June 2011

Be sure you are getting tons of water and just not sugary juices or alcohol. The sugar can make your system more prone to UTIs. For this reason, it's also better to take the cranberry in pill form rather than drinking the juice. Also when you pee after, be sure to pee with a little force and knock out anything that got in there. (sorry for the TMI)

Also, think about anything else you're putting down there that might be irritating it, laytex condoms, a particular lube, anything sweetened/flavored...