[Cailg]

sweety79, the dr. just called me today to say that my urine did test positive for a bladder infection, so I'm on Cipro for 3 days. But I think that the friction from intercourse, combined with being older (late 40's) when the skin is thinning out, caused an irritation in the urethra which led to an infection.

[sweety79]

Cailg, Thanks for responding. It is weird it comes and goes. One day I have it the next I don't. I am glad you found out what it was.

[Cailg]

Cailg, Thanks for responding. It is weird it comes and goes. One day I have it the next I don't. I am glad you found out what it was.

Sweety, do you find it bothers you more the more sitting you are doing or after intercourse?

[sweety79]

I can't really figure out what causes the irritation. I will go and it won't bother me at all and then in a few hours I'll go and it will sting just around the opening. I have tested for UTI's and its negative. I just kinda am trying to live with it. I went to the gyn and she gave flagyl, but I still have it.

[Cailg]

Sweety, do you think there is a connection to acidic stuff you are drinking or eating? are you perimenapausal like me? Also, is the area red?

[sweety79]

I am 29 years old. The area might be a little red, but there looks like there is a bump next to the opening. But, the gyn didn't say anything about it. This all started after I got a UTI in July and then I got Bacterial Vaginosis from all the antibiotics. It just never seemed to go away. Maybe it will. I sure hope so anyways.

[PinkAardvark]

I joined this forum because I found this post, and I suffer from a very similar problem.

In summer of last year I had what I thought was a "UTI" for several months, yet doctors kept telling me there was no blood/infection present in my urine cultures. It would clear up after a day or so but then return with a vengeance, like clockwork, a week and a half to two weeks later. I finally figured out it was a sensitivity to laundry detergent. My new theory is that my parents switched to the ultra-concentrated stuff, which irritated me, which led to an infection. (The first trip I made to the doc I was told there was no infection, but a second trip three days later said I was.)

Antibiotics cleared up my real infection, but the damage was done, and every week to two weeks, just after I'd do a laundry, it would return, but no infections this time.

I solved it, mostly, by switching to an all-green chem-free eco detergent. It has no phosphates or anything, it's just made from coconut extracts, isn't very expensive, has no scent to speak of, and cleared my problem right up.

I had doctors asking me multiple times whether I was SURE it couldn't be an STD and if I was SURE it couldn't be a yeast infection and not one doctor EVER asked me if it could be a chemical problem or an allergy.

The issue is, I'm so sensitive now that if I use too much of the eco stuff in a load, it'll set me off, too. Which I accidentally did, so now I'm suffering again. =(

But to everybody here suffering from a problem like mine, check your detergent. It might be what's bugging you.

[caterpillar79]

I am currently in pain (as in this very moment!) due to UTI. And as I read through Pink's post, I kind of agree, because I usually handwash my undies and I don't seem bothered before. Yet, last week, I machine washed my undies and also put some fabric softener with the load, plus had a wonderful time with the LOML, equals UTI... got irritated multiple times...to include using public restrooms that are untidy.

[caterpillar79]

Sweety, you may want to have a second opinion from both Urologist and GYN. These two doctors combined will do you good. Also, ask your GYN for a papsmear and to test your pH, because it might also affect you. I will do what I had advised you as well, because that is exactly my problem too. You are not alone.

[sfeachus]

I've had these same problems for years. I'm 18 now, and sexually active. When they started, I was 14 and not. The symptoms can be mild or so severe that I can't move. It's really disrupted my life. There will be weeks when I'm pain free, and weeks when I'm in pain all day. I've seen two different specialists, been ultra-sounded, and I went through a procedure where they inserted a catheter and injected dye into my bladder, and I had to urinate on a table while they x-rayed me, I can't remember what it was called. I did have a staph infection in my kidneys two years ago, I got antibiotics, and the pain was gone for a few weeks after, but its back since and still as bad. I still don't have an answer as to what it is.

In the beginning, I know the pain was caused by: wearing tight stiff pants, not drinking enough water, and not urinating all day while I was at school. I only did this for my freshman year, but I'm still in pain.

I ride horses competitively, so I am training every day, but I dont believe that has anything to do with the pain, because I have been riding literally my whole life and i've only had the pain these past four years. I take good care of my body to compete well, so I am not unhealthy in any other way and I am not overweight.

After all this time, I have seen some patterns.
-It is worst and most frequent when I am stressed
-90% or the time, I have it in the morning. Very rarely do I have it after 12pm, even if I am just waking up then and urinating for the first time that day
-I get it around the time I start my period
-I get it when I eat too much salty or sweet food, or if I drink soda or processed juices
-Sometimes I have it after sex, but not always (I'm in a serious, monogamous relationship, we've both been tested so I know it's not a STD.)

I believe we use Eco-friendly detergent, but I would like to know if there are specific brands that other women have used and liked. I use baking soda and apple cider vinegar to wash my hair (I started the 1st of November this year, and my hair is seriously incredible! You should try it!), natural tea tree oil facial wash, and homemade salt/olive oil mixture as body wash. I do not use any products in my vaginal area, and I use unscented cotton tampons. I wear cotton panties and shower every day.

I haven't had my pH tested, and I haven't had a pap smear (I dont think, I'm not sure what that is) but I will make an appointment to have both those things done. I'm incredibly glad I've found this forum. Thanks much!