Bladder Infections After Sex?

**curlygirl** · 10-18-2004, 04:53 AM

I'm in a new relationship and seem to get bladder infections or bladder infection like symptoms after sex. I take one profolactic antibiotic pill after sex to prevent infrections, but sometimes I get them anyway. NOW everytime after I have sex I feel like I need to run to the MD to find out if I have an infection becasue it feels like I might. The symptoms are bladder pain mostly. The one time I DID have an infection I also had burning when I peed, which I didn't have the other times. I feel like I can't keep running to my MDs office every time I have sex cause I think I might have a UTI. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to discriminate between IC pain and UTI pain and wondering if anyone else has had this problem.
Thanks in Advance

**ICNJess** · 10-18-2004, 05:10 AM

Hmm...I wish I could help. I notice for me, that when I get a UTI, my urine turns cloudy...the pain all feels the same to me though. Good luck!

**tigger_gal** · 10-18-2004, 05:19 AM

I know when i have a bladder infection, when I am beeing blood and/or its cloudy. I can't tell the difference with pain either......

brat

**curlygirl** · 10-18-2004, 12:03 PM

I called my MD today and she is going to give me a bunch of lab requisitions that way when I am concerned that I have a UTI, I can go into the lab a check. I think it will take some time for me to discriminate between what is normal (that is IC related pain) and when I have a UTI. Or maybe the urine gods will smile on me and make this go away.

**VickiB** · 10-18-2004, 12:58 PM

As far as telling my IC symptoms from UTI ones, I've never been able to distinguish one from the other! I used to think I could tell by the severity, but my last full-blown flare was like the worst UTI imaginable! I couldn't believe it when they said "no infection"!

I also get 'bladder infection like' symptoms after sex. I guess my system is to suffer with it,...if it goes away in a reasonable amount of time, I put it in the IC column. If the symptoms remain as strong or intensify after 8 to 10 hours, I go in to get checked for UTI. Needless to say, my system leaves a lot to be desired!

That's neat that you can go to the lab. I wonder if my GP might have some way I could have the test done without having to take up his time for an office visit.

Vicki

**curlygirl** · 10-18-2004, 02:57 PM

Viki. My symptoms don't begin for a couple of days- I feel fine afterward. That's why it's hard. If they last more than 2 days, then I worry. I could see if they lasted 5-7, but I know if I had a UTI and did that to wait it out, I could give myself a serious kidney infection. Are you taking any antidepressents for the pain, have they effected your ability to orgasm at all?

**VickiB** · 10-18-2004, 05:33 PM

Geez, I misunderstood. I thought the symptoms you were experiencing showed up fairly soon after sex. If it's a couple of days then I can sure see where it's a tough call!

Yes, I take antidepressants (amitriptyline, 50mg at night) but have not noticed any effects on orgasm. Thankfully that's one thing IC hasn't screwed up for me!

Vicki

**work it** · 10-21-2004, 03:53 AM

Curly, I think I understand what you are feeling. I feel the same thing after I have had intercourse. I get so nervouse the days to follow becuase I hate having the pain. I have started to take prosed and the OTC azo tabs the morning after intercourse just in case I would have a UTI. I really feel alot better after the AZO tabs I think they work better then the RX of prosed.

**carolynyeo** · 11-14-2004, 04:48 AM

Hi I have the same problem and its ridiculous because every time I go to the hospital I have to wait for five hours for a perscription if it is one and if not I just wasted five hours.
There are the dip sticks you can buy in the pharmacy. I would use those to see. If you really do have a bad infection it will generally show up on the dip stick. The only thing is that they are not completely reliable so even if it doens;t show up you should still go up so they can do a culture.

**Dixiefireball** · 11-14-2004, 05:08 AM

the way i tell a ture uti from a flare is my urine smells really badly urine is dark in color more pain the usual but that can be with a flare to.
there is some home kits i believe you can find in the icn shop or you may be able to pick one up at the drugs store.
i'm not to fond of these kits because they don't pick up all bat.
in urine for an infection.
but just on the safe side for you it doesnt sound like a bad idea.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

**Cricketmk3** · 11-17-2004, 07:19 AM

A few things you can do that might help:

Empty your bladder immediately after sex.
Drink lots of water before and after.
You said you already take an antibiotic. That's good.
Apply a very warm washcloth to the vaginal area afterwards.
Use lubrication.

**anxious one** · 11-17-2004, 04:03 PM

Hi there,

I can absolutely relate. I always get infection-type symptoms post sex. I have never had an actual infection but I still worry myself sick about getting one every time we have sex.

My doctor gave me dipsticks to test my own urine which is a huge time and money saver. I can be in excruciating pain but test my urine and it's clear. (Normally I would have run to the dr!

) Once you know your urine is clear you also stop worrying which in itself can improve symptoms considerably.

I also drink HUGE amounts of water post sex. (And go to the toilet obviously) I also take a cranberry tablet (but I tolerate these many with IC don't) and have a herbal tonic from my naturapth which has herbs to prevent infections. I also brew pearl barley water which is supposed to prevent infections and drink about a litre after sex.

I used to take an antibiotic but found it actually made my symptoms worse.

Finally, one thing I have started doing which has helped ENORMOUSLY is (and I don't want to be graphic) instead of relying on actual sex for stimulation I either let him you know what or I do it for him then when he is"close to the edge" I let him enter me. That way the actual penetration part is not that long!!

I'm certain this lessens the post sex pain and maybe the risk of infection is lower, I hope.

Please please please let this be enought to stop infection!!

Hugs,

Sarax

**Sharon** · 11-21-2004, 06:46 AM

My doctor said the same thing that Rhonda said. A bladder infection usually causes the urine to have a bad smell. I always thought that cloudy urine ment a bladder infection, but he told me, that isn't a reliable indicator.

**Stella1609** · 11-21-2004, 09:56 AM

I wish I could help you with this one, but I have the same problem!!! I've only had two infections. I found out about the first one when I started passing blood and the second one when I went in to my uro for a scheduled visit (it was a total surprise to me; I just thought I was in a flare).

Good luck finding something that works for you!!!

**Myli** · 11-21-2004, 03:09 PM

Just a quick note, I've taken amitriptyline for many years now to prevent migraines. It has not reduced my ability to orgasm at all. Orgasm really depends on how aroused I am and the brain is really in the drivers seat for orgasm. The only limit IC has put on it is how often I can indulge and how many orgasms in a single session I can let myself have and still come out not too sore.

I am taking 100mg a day btw.

Myli