Anyone stopped sex completely?? - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

momw/ic · 07-09-2005, 08:57 PM

I was having almost continuous UTI's and always after sex I would get an infection no matter what we tried to prevent it. So...hubby and I decided together to stop sex and just see what happens. Immediately I started getting better and have not had a UTI since. So, my question is has anyone else tried this? I would love to try again but am scared to set off that cycle again. Hubby is ok with it but I just feel so guilty. Just wondered what other experiences you all have had.

green_the_fish · 07-10-2005, 12:54 AM

Well, I might not be the right person to answer this, since I'm too young for the sex stuff, but I have heard other members of the boards using antibiotics for your problem. They use them as a preventive medication. You could try asking your doc or uro about having low-dose antibiotics to take after you have sex. I remember when I had my cysto/hydro, they gave me those kinds of antibiotics to prevent a UTI, and they worked. I hope that a member who knows more about this subject can come along and help you out...

vm · 07-10-2005, 04:25 AM

I got UTIs after sex until I started taking one antibiotic pill afterwards. I haven't had a UTI in over a year now - and I was averaging 4 or 5 a year.

Prior to the antibiotic solution we were showering before and after, drinking water before and after, scrubbing up like surgeons going into surgery, etc. and none of it seemed to help.

kmmk · 07-10-2005, 06:17 AM

just curious...with your frequent urinary tract infections after sex..
did you have the urine actually tested and come back positive for bacteria?
a day or two after having sex i feel like i have a mild uti..but the dipstick says no bacteria..but positive for leukocytes..
so i guess there is inflammation..but no infection.
some part of me feels like there is some low level infection going undetected and causing the symptoms post sex.
uro says its urethritis/ urethral syndrome.
i think there is some bacteria that dr.s are not aware of or picking up yet..for many of us suffering with this.
just my feeling...knowing my body.

vm · 07-10-2005, 07:38 AM

Mine were actually cultured infections. At least one was pretty lowgrade, but they treated it anyway. The others were full blwon.

I have had the dipstick test miss a couple of my UTIs. The at home ones have never detected my UTIs - I would go on to have a culture done and lo and behold I did have a UTI.

I got to the point that when I was having my urine checked I always asked that they culture it even if the dipstick or under the microscope didn't show anything. Sometimes we have to have a culture to know for sure - that was the case for me.

Now there were times I just had a plain old yukky flare after sex, but I got to the point that I could pretty well tell the difference.

kmmk · 07-10-2005, 10:05 AM

was curious..what do you feel and where when in a flare..and how long does it last?
thanks alot ..
any responses appreciated.

emilyrose197377 · 07-10-2005, 10:34 AM

I feel Like my bladder is on fire with a lot burning and stinging. My lower abdomen swells up and the muscles in my pelvic ache . I experience sharp stabbing pains in my pelvic area. I also feel like someone is pulling on my pelvic area .

Leslye · 07-10-2005, 10:51 AM

momw/ic, my questions are the same as kmmk? I have ALOT of problems in the Sex department, but I really like it

lol so My husband & I have tried different things. Because if my Vulvadynia at times when my husband ejaculates the semen makes me feel like my vagina is literally on fire, like someone has just lit a match. Thank God this is not ALL the time. When this happens I have to go right into a bath. Alot of times after sex before we found several position that I can handle it felt like I had a UTI for days afterward. I have also found that the key with me is to RELAX. We use positions,K-y(not the warming) this tends to set me on fire also & not in a Good way.lol My gyno also gives me Lidocaine Jelly to use,this helps deaden the Uretha & some of the other very tender points. My husband also has to be very Slow & Gentle every time. If we tend to get A little rough boy I do pay for it. Positions Are Very Important!! Although this might not help for your peoblems as we are all different but I do Hope that something will work out. If you ever need to talk are have any more questions(that are maybe a little more detailed please feel free to im me or e-mail me) This does not mean that I can have sex all the time without a flare but it has cut down on the amount of flares & the Severity of them. Good Luck!

kmmk · 07-10-2005, 10:57 AM

do you feel anything in the vaginal area..inside?
alot of my discomfort feels like urethral and vaginal ..but not itching.
gyn checked and said no infection
i do feel like a stinging sensation in my urethra...on and off..
and even hypersenitivity in the clitoris. (geez...lol !)
whatever this is..it is awful..one day feels fine..some days feel bad..
even changes different times during the day.
and it doesnt seem to correlate to anything in particular .
have not had sex for over a week..
thanks for listening and responding.

kmmk · 07-10-2005, 10:59 AM

also..one more thing..if i am sitting and put pressure on the vulvar / urethra/ clitoris area...it hurts..
anyone else have this.?
does not feel like my bladder....feels lower down near the exits.

Leslye · 07-10-2005, 03:11 PM

YES, All of the things that you have metioned are my symptoms. It kind of feels like A REALLY BAD yeast infec. with NO itching. I have to wear my overalls & lounge pants.lol Lounge pants have become part of my everyday attire. When this first started I thought I had a yeast infec. used Monistat & vagina felt like I had just set it on fire. Because of the Vulvadynia, I am SOOOOO sensitive to EVERYTHING!! You are not alone there are alot of us in this web who suffer from the same symptoms. How long have you had IC? Not to be too graphic but when you have sex does it feel like He is hitting your bladder?

kmmk · 07-10-2005, 04:46 PM

i was totally fine until march 2005... believe it or not..i was not in a relationship and did not have sex for almost two years! no problems..no uti's...nothing at all.
then we had sex...very very intense sex i might add..lol.
i am very small..he is very big..lol.
two days later felt like a uti..went to dr..gave me cipro..after two days felt the same.
gave me bactrim..then i felt fine...
had a cervical polyp removed...and then resumed sex a while after...and sure enough like a day or two later..symptoms of mild uti returned..burning, frequency..discomfort.
like my urethra was sore and swollen.
during sex im fine for the most part..no pain..unless he goes really deep...and like i said..he is big and i am small.
sooo i thought i had another uti..but they said the urine dipstick was only showing trace bacteria..not a real uti..
gyn told me its like honeymoon cysititis and to take uristat.
but it seemed to keep happening...and finally all my drs taking my urines were saying they were normal and to see a urologist.
so i did..and she took my history and did an in office cysto and saw mild inflammation of my urethra consistent with non specific urethritis or urethral syndrome.
said antibiotics dont work for this..
to take uristat for it......
i went back one more time..and she said.come back in six months..
and to avoid acidic things.
i just never had this..and wonder why all of a sudden?
ive had sex before plenty of times and maybe would get an occasional uti..but not this . anyway..this is where im at...this sensitive urethra..sensitive clitioris.. sorry to be so graphic...and feels like a mild burning in the vagina.
i dont really take anything for it...not even the uristat...
just hoping it will go away eventually...just like it came on.
doc says it is very common in women..and can last months and months.
well..one day at a time.
thanks

momw/ic · 07-12-2005, 05:29 PM

To answer all of your questions:

Yes to the antibiotics. I have tried several different kinds for after sex - usually 3 doses and nothing has helped. I also took a new low dose antibiotic for about 3 months straight every day - also no luck. Hubby and I are like scrubbing in for surgery and that doesn't help. We have also tried NOT washing and that didn't help. Every position in the book and even some that probably aren't in the book - still to no avail. So, that's my story. My doc has worked with us also and it is frustrating for all of us. Hubby is extremely supportive and is probably bothered the least by this. On those RARE occasions I did not get an infection it would set off a flare that lasted usually weeks - never less that at least 2 weeks. I really just have been curious if others have had similar experiences. Thanks for your responses everyone!

Yogajo37 · 07-13-2005, 11:19 AM

I can completely relate! I have IC and found out I also had vulvodynia and clitoradynia. Upon examination my doc found all my glands in my vagainal canal were also inflamed which is why when my boyfirend came or I got lubricated it felt like fire. In essence it was... the vaginal canal and clitoral/urethral area were so inflamed that it was like pouring acid on an open wound. I went without sex for 1 year. I have been in treatment for the last year and a half. First we startedwith Estrace cream and lidocane..ouch made it MUCH worse..although my (male) doc told me it was in my head...I now have a great doc...(yes a woman..but I believe men can be ok just not hat man!) Anyway my treat now consists of Traumeel injections. Traumeel is a hoeopathic med. (My doctor is an MD and uses this) I started with injections 1 time per week for 12 weeks then have progressed to shots 3 times a year. It is a g-d send. I actually had sex 3 time in one night. Now I will tell you.. I am just gettting over a UTI from sex. The first in 3 years. But we were very very acrobatic

and were not careful. Also, we use a ton of lubricant. But I use a completely natural on cause all the over the counter stuff make me burn. So fret not....you will be able to have sex.. you just have to find the right treatment. Also, (just thought of this) if I am bad on my IC diet I notice sex is uncomfortable as well. My vulvodynia./clitorodynia respone to diet as well...at least for me.

kmmk · 07-13-2005, 12:05 PM

yogajo..what does clitordynia feel like?
i have a weird sensation there ..like super sensitive.and it feels related to the urethra sensitivity as well..no surprise they are so close together.
sometimes even walking or sitting..or my pants annoy me there..
or even light touching..
anyway..glad you found things to help you...and hurrah for sex three times in a night..
i miss those days and nights..!
this is all new to me..and very depressing.......
hopefully one day my body will get back to normal..
one day at a time.
glad to hear there are others who have this too..
it is not all that common that i know of.
and i do know its not in my head!
thanks