Normal # of UTIs per year?

[vm]

I am wondering what the current thinking on this is. My uro told me that it is considered "within normal limits" for a woman to have 6 or so a year b/c of our short urethras, etc.

What have others been told or is there documentation on the web about this? I went back over my medical diary for the year and found that I have "only" had 4 UTIs this past year, but I would really, really like to do the antibiotic after sex thing. I am so sick of the pervading thought on my mind during sex being, "Will I end up with a UTI over this?" I already do the shower before and after and drink a glass of water before and after and then pee right after sex.... It is getting old. :rolleyes:

I don't know that my uro would be opposed to the antibiotic thing, but I'd like to have my ducks in a row before approaching him. Thanks.

[Brianna]

Hi Kim,
I have about one UTI per year but I know it is common for women even without IC to have them because our urethra is like 3 or 4 inchs long. Those germs don't have far to travel!

I take a macrobid prior to sex because it keeps me from flaring as bad. I thought I had an infection after sex and you know the routine, you go in and no infection. I tried taking the macrobid a few times before sex and I did not hurt as bad from my sex flare. So I told my uro and she said she would give me a pres for macrobid. She said they had lots of patients that have to do the antibiotic thing or reasons other than mine. Some women do get lots of UTI's and do not have IC. I has really helped me!

I have a small hometown pharmacy I go to and know my pharmacist. I turned in the pres and did not look at it. Boy did my face turn RED when I saw the directions!!! Take one prior to sex-ha Then for them to know that the bottle lasts a longgggggggggg time too :) I had her change the directions the next time to say--take as directed.

hugs
brianna

[Silverfox]

Hi Kim,

I am so tired of uro's telling us females that we have some very imperfect and too short, narrow and unimportant urethra's. I have been hearing this all my life, and I used to believe this. Now I see it differently. This is the way our Maker made us and we are just fine and not degenerate.

It seems that men are soooo proud of their's and I guess they think about it all day long, and do not understand what woman are feeling. I think male urologists think this way still, old fashioned ideas about woman. Ours is hidden but still very important to us.

In regards to having repeated urinary tract infections I want to quote Dr. Broda O. Barnes of the Broda Barnes Thyroid Foundation( world famous Endocrinoligist) This is from his book "Hypothyroidism the Unsuspected Illness"
My Dr. says that Dr. Barnes should have been given a nobel prize for his lifelong work in thyroid diseases.

Quoted from his book: "Bladder infections are much less common than respiratory infections but they too may suggest hypothyroidism--again because of lowered resitance. Among the susceptible , recurrences are frequent and the end result of repeated infection may be kidney failure. In my experience, resistance to bladder and kidney disease in patients with low thyroid function can be increased greatly and readily with thyroid therapy."

This is found on page 97 in his book, In the chapter titled "Infectious Diseases: Why, for some, So Many"

In this chapter of his book he also talks about our bodies defences against all infections. I would quote more but I must go get to work painting my bedroom.

For any who want to understand how thyroid affects your bodies ability to risist infections I suggest going to a book store or library and read that chapter. Make very certain that your are not a victim of a very subtle low thyroid. It could make a big difference in the quality of your life! You might not have to be taking antibiotics before or after sex.

I learned this the hard way and now on 3 1/2 grains of Armour thyroid I have never had another urinary track infection. And less upper respiratory infections like the common viral colds and flu's. Before you condem this do the research and study this, this can be life-changing.

Personally, I like the diversity here. I like to hear all sides so I can be the most informed that I can. Take care now. wink

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, tell others!

[ICNDonna]

Unfortunately, the female anatomy does include that short urethra, which is also hidden in a wonderfully warm, damp atmosphere where germs can prosper. Some of us are more susceptible to infections than others.

I think it's wise to each of us to have thorough physical examinations annually, including blood work to rule out such things as blood sugar or thyroid problems. Both are easily diagnosed. I know it seems like we're always at the doctor's office with our IC, but it's also important to see our primary care docs for other things too.

Sending warm hugs,
Donna

[vm]

I have a physical every year - including all the bloodwork, so it's not that. I also see my GP often for other issues.

Although I will tuck your info in the back of my mind, Silverfox, b/c I know it didn't include the specific thyroid tests you have referenced before. I have looked at the hypothyroid symptoms on a webpage that also spoke of those tests and I did not feel I had many of them at all.

Anyway, thank you all for your input. I may have to google this or something. I hate to think I just have to live with frequent UTIs, but if I do I will. It's no worse than IC. wink

[auntiedeb]

Hi Kim, as you know I get chronic utis and my uro said stress will bring them on and also low immune sstyem too. He started me on antiboit therapy, take one cipro every other day and now I have to take two during the day, one in morning and one in evening. I don't have sex. I do see my pcp and I am seeing him on Friday. I do have low thryoid but I don't think that is what causing my utis. There has to be other factors that causes utis. I don't empty my bladder out complelty and then the buggies get in there. I am sorry that I can't help you here. I wish you luck in search of your research.
Love you.

[vm]

Thanks, Debbie. :) Has your uro given you a number for what is considered "normal" in terms of UTIs per year?

In terms of thyroid, here is what I found on what seemed to be a good site. I plugged my most recent bloodwork (June of 2003) into it.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/index.htm?PM=ss12_thyroid

At most labs in the U.S., up until late 2002, the normal range is from around 0.5 to 5.5. That range changed to .3 to 3 as of early 2003. If the TSH level is at the higher end of the range, or above the range, your doctor may determine that you are hypothyroid (underactive thyroid.)
My TSH was 1.13 - lower end, but certainly not low.

*If your doctor ran a test called Total T4 or Total Thyroxine, normal range is approximately 4.5 to 12.5. If you had a low reading, and a high TSH, your doctor might consider that indicative of hypothyroidism.

*If your doctor ran a test called Total T4 or Total Thyroxine, normal range is approximately 4.5 to 12.5. If you had a low reading, and a low TSH, your doctor might look into a possible pituitary problem.
My T4 was 8.8 - right smack in the middle.

I really don't think thyroid is my problem. I'll certainly talk to my doc about the other tests come this june when I will have new bloodwork, but I don't see a need to do it sooner. :)

[vm]

Hey, Deb! scream Check out this article - it is really informative. I don't know how accurate, but it seems good. It's about UTIs in general, and I know we have already read a bunch about them, but it still had a lot of info I wasn't aware of.

http://www.bestdoctors.com/en/conditions/u/uti/uti_060200.htm

[vm]

I went back through my medical diary to count up how many UTIs I have had since getting IC in 2001. If I look at the past 12 months I have had 4.

BUT, if I go "calendar year" starting in 2001, I had 2 in 2001 (one after my cysto w/ hydro, so I don't really "count" that one), 2 in 2002, and 3 in 2003. Funny thing is, the year I started the showering before and after sex and all that - I had one more than the other years when I wasn't doing that. :confused: lmao

I am going to wait to see what this year brings. I haven't had as many as I thought I had. Still more than I'd like, but not as bad as I thought.

[ICNJess]

Yeesh what a pain in the bladder! eek Good luck with the search, Kim! Let me how the research goes. I know you already know lots and lots on the subject, but a doc once told me what Deb said, that not emptying your bladder can lead to more UTI's. Sounds like you are a clean person that's for sure! Good luck on the quest, hope you find something that helps.

Hugs and love,
Jess grouphug kissing

[auntiedeb]

Thankyou so much for that link Kim on utis. It is very informative. I need to start making a medical diary and writing down my sympotms and pain and utis. I used to have journals I wrote in. I think it now time for a medical jouranl to help me and my drs. thanks again. grouphug grouphug

[Dixiefireball]

i have one to two infection a mth. it never fails right before my mthly i get an uti infection when i go to the doctor it ALWAYS comes back i have one so i live on leviquin 250 mg heparin marcaine perocets 10.325 and klonopins 1mg and the way my nerves are right now the klonopins are not helping. :( which has sit me into a flare banghead Sorry everyone I started Venting some i guess i had to get it out i'm sorry. frown

[havingsuccess]

Kim,

Wish I could help you here but I got to thinking after I read your post and realized my last UTI was 10 years ago way before IC and it was the second one of the only 2 I've ever had in my life. Wonder why some are prone to UTI's and others aren't?? Hmmmmmm

Success

[radstudent]

Kim, I amnot sure if this is correct or not but I seem to remember being told that it was normal for women to have up to 12 UTIs a year. This is just one of those things that stick in my mind from a medical technology class that I took when I was in college. hi

[vm]

Well, that sure stinks, doesn't it? lmao

[auntiedeb]

12 uts a year? that is one for every month lol. That doesn't sound right. I am going to ask my uro that question, what is consider normal for utis? YOu should see the list of questions I have for him today lol. He might not eat lunch lol.I will let you all know how I make out. Kim good luck on your research.

[poetgirl]

12 UTIs a year sounds really excessive. I think at my worst (about 4 years ago) I had about 6 infections a year. A couple were the all-out major bladder infections with bleeding and constant pain. At this point I have not had a UTI in probably close to a year. My uro prescribed Macrobid for me to take after sex and that really helped break the cycle. Also, ever since I've been on all of these IC meds and rinsing the vaginal area with cool water after sex (I always urinate before and after), I haven't even used the Macrobid consistently and still have not gotten a UTI. I keep my fingers crossed that I don't get one for fear of triggering another IC flare!

[Nicole in ATL]

I have chronic UTIs and have had them since I was 17 (I am 29 now...b-day was Jan 4).

Most are related to sex for me. I did 7 months of macrodantin to "break the cycle" in 2003.

I take cipro after sex and this helps alot. Missed the cipro once recently and had a bad infection.

I just went to the uro today and she lowered the cipro dose b/c I was having side effects and it was really high. Hopefully it will still work. I am nervous but want to try it.

As far as normal numbers of UTIs, I thought more than 3 per year was chronic. I don't know off the top of my head how many I had in 2003, but it was probably at least 6.

I'd like to post more, but am having a bad day pain wise and it is hard to type (or think!).

Nicole

[vm]

Sorry you aren't feeling well, Nicole. kissing

Thanks for the info, gals. :) I am thinking my uro said it can be normal to get up to 6 a year. Anyway, if I get another one soon, I will most likely ask about the antibiotic after sex.

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

I took Bactrim after sex when I was still being diagnosed with "honeymoon cystitis". It seriously messed up my immune system. I am also now horribly allergic to Bactrim. I haven't gotten a UTI since last May. One thing that has worked for me was trying to build up my immune system by eating meat not treated with antibiotics--usually organic or natural. It really has made a difference. While I was on antibiotic therapy I got the worst case of Bronchitis. It was horrible. I would cough until I threw up. It lasted 3 weeks. Now I just clean up after sex, and since I can't use birth control anymore, DH uses non-latex condoms. I think that might make a difference too.

[michele]

first of all, ANY UTI's seem like too much...with IC, who needs a UTI on top of it all wink

i was doing the antibiotic-after-sex thing for years as well, but i don't like the idea of it for a few reason. first, taking an antibiotic regularly can reduce its effectiveness when you really need it. second, if you take an antibiotic and only partially kill the organism, it can become antibiotic-resistant and then who knows what will kill it off. this is happening with strep...there are some strains that cannot be killed because of antibiotic resistance.

aside from all that, the pills made me sick to my stomach.

i mentioned all this to my accupuncturist, who also does not like constant antibiotics. she mentioned the same thyroid issue that was previously noted on this board. i've been taking one of her herbal remedies and so far, so good...i'll tell you, the first couple of times that i had sex without the antibiotic, i was a nervous wreck for 48 hours following (that's usually the window...after that and i'm usually ok). but...it's been four months so far. i'm knocking on wood even as i type this.

good luck...

-m

[Dixiefireball]

i have one uti a mth the week before mother nature come to visit it is awful if i dont get it treated asap before my mthly hits i end up in the er.
I know this isnt normal but they cant seem to find the root of my infections. some of my infection has eased off since i started the heparin treatments at home so the uti i get now or very mild when they was plus 4.
i wish you luck in finding out where they are coming from.