r/CUTI

I just did an at home dip stick and tested positive for leucocytes. I was experiencing some increased urgency and burning and I wanted to check. I've been on Hiprex for over 2 months. I haven't had sex in a while which is my only UTI trigger. What's going on? Am I dehydrated? Do I have a UTI?

Hi people. I'm a 25F and have a history of recurrent UTIs. Since Jen 2024 I had a UTI for the first time since I was like 17, successfully treated with Monuril fosfom. (3g x 2 nights).

Then Jen came and it was rough. Full blood in urine, back pain and really aggressive bladder pain. I was not in my country back then, and got diagnosed with UTI (only by urine test, no urineculture) and again given the Monuril but 1 dose only.

After that, I had UTI symptoms for months. Had to take the antibiotic again and again.

I thought I got rid of it for good. After a week of visiting my LD boyfriend I started again to get UTI symptoms (this was last Tuesday) and the doctor told me to do a urineculture and see what it was. Turns out I have E.coli infection (1.000.000 units) and the doctor prescribed me ciprofloxacin 250 2 pills a day for 10 days.

Now, I have a history of being afraid of any medication, especially antibiotics. Stumbled upon some Uti posts and saw some people freak out about cipro and begged the OPs to not get it. I got scared as hell and started to question my sister and my friend (pharmacist and nurse) about this antibiotic and they both told me to not worry and that my sister sells those pills (specifically cipro 250-500) regularly and that I was supposed to be worried only about not eating diary and stay away from sun. (have to mention I am in Italy and I have never heard of cipro being dangerous or anything like that. My sister says all antibiotics can be dangerous and cipro was not worse or less than others.)

I workout a lot. Infact, I take protein powder and was about to start creatine before this whole mess happened.

There is one specific thing I worry about, that nobody believes me everytime I talk about it. I had severe wrist pain (both) a year ago. I suffer from joint pain all the time. I workout with wrist bandages and I am careful of not stressing my joints too much. Doc told me I have hyperextension in one of my wrists. Never got diagnosed with EDL or any joint disorder even though I am 90% sure I have it. I live in a small town in South Italy and there is kind of a backward mentality with diseases... I know complicated disorders tend to be overlooked or ignored. (Literaly got diagnosed with PCOS after having severe symptoms for years but nobody wanted to send me to a gyno :/)

And this antibiotic seems to be making tendon /joint pain appear and worsen it. So I am worried sick. BUT I am tired of this UTI situation. So a part of me wants to risk it and be done with it. Cipro seems to be the good option for recurrent UTIs...especially because my symptoms come and go and I am worried that the bacteria is hidden somewhere and normal antibiotics can't catch it. (Also worried of developing kidney infections)

Can any of you tell me if this medication actually helped with your complicated/recurrent UTIs? Side effects and whatnot...

Hi everyone

My 9 year old was recently diagnosed with an ESBL UTI which progressed - or was progressing - into a kidney infection. She ended up in the ER where she was prescribed Augmentin until the culture came back as positive for ESBL and they brought her back in to change her meds.

Because of her age the options were short course of Cipro or admit to hospital for IV meds. Pediatric infectious disease team cleared her for Cipro but two days later she starts to complain of joint pain and blood test shows muscle break down so they take her off. Her pediatrician decides to put her back on Augmentin even though everybody else saying this isn’t going to be strong enough to clear the bacteria fully. She digs in hard, strongly recommends against taking her back to the hospital and says watch and wait. While on antibiotics her symptoms improve and culture is clear but the minute she stops it shows positive for ESBL again. Which is what everyone told us would happen.

Her pediatrician and urologist don’t seem phased and are even suggesting it could be contamination which seems like a wild coincidence. Infectious disease team very unhappy, think it’s pretty serious for someone her age and think she received inadequate care.

Right now she’s currently asymptomatic, taking d-mannose and hydrating like it’s her job but my question is is there anything we can do to try and kick the bacteria before she becomes symptomatic again? Is there a chance her body clears this somehow? Waiting for her to get sick again so we can treat it is agonizing especially as it turned into an ‘ascending infection’ pretty quickly last time. If she does get sick the infectious disease/ER/nephrology team we’ve spoken to say aggressive antibiotic treatment asap. Urology and ped are way more casual.

Basically I’m a super anxious parent hoping the wise folk of reddit can give me some guidance because honestly pinging between these different Drs and their completely different theories and level of concern is exhausting.

Is there anything we can do? Who should we be talking to?

Help!

Hi everyone, I'm an Italian woman with Fowler syndrome, so I perform intermittent self-catheterization and have recurrent UTIs. My doctor prescribed Hiprex, and it has been very helpful in reducing my infections. Unfortunately, it also causes severe stomach burning, even when I take it with food. I recently watched a video from a doctor who suggested placing the Hiprex tablet inside a vegetable capsule. Has anyone here tried this? If so: Were the capsules regular vegetable capsules or gastro-resistant (delayed-release) capsules? Did this reduce the stomach burning? Did Hiprex still work well to prevent UTIs? Hiprex isn't widely used in Italy, so my doctor isn't sure how to help me with this problem. I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you!

I've tried 4 rounds of antiboitcs this year alone. Urine analysis is always clean after then a month later comes back again. I'm now taking d-mannose, cranberry PAC pills, fem diphilus, and using only sensitive soap, laundry detergent and cotton underwear. I've also stopped having sex and drinking alcohol. I am very close to just sharing f it. I'll still take my supplements and what not, but this is no way to live. This weekend I'm going swimming, drinking and having sex!! I'm just gonna do it. I'll update you all.

WISH ME LUCK

My UTIs are almost always triggered by sexual intercourse. If I do not have sex, I usually do not develop a UTI. The bacteria identified in my urine cultures has repeatedly been Escherichia coli (E. coli).

I have already followed the usual preventive measures:

- I urinate after every sexual intercourse.

- I drink plenty of water every day.

- I maintain good intimate hygiene, but I avoid excessive washing or harsh intimate products.

- I wear cotton underwear.

- I have been taking supplements such as D-mannose, cranberry, probiotics, and other products recommended for urinary tract health.

Despite all of this, the infections keep coming back after intercourse.

Recently, my gynecologist performed a vaginal/cervical culture, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected. My tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs) were all negative.

Because of the Klebsiella infection, both my partner and I were prescribed Augmentin for 7 days (every 8 hours). I was also prescribed Cervucid vaginal ovules to reduce the risk of developing a yeast infection during antibiotic treatment.

This was actually the first time in the six years we have been together that my partner developed symptoms, so the doctor decided that both of us should be treated.

I also have regular bowel movements and a healthy digestive system.

I have now finished the antibiotic treatment. My urinary symptoms are much better than before, but I still have mild discomfort in my bladder area, especially when I urinate or when I press gently over my bladder. I am not sure whether this is just residual inflammation after the infection or a sign that the infection has not completely resolved.

My biggest concern is that every time I resume sexual activity, I am afraid the UTIs will return. This has become physically and emotionally exhausting because it affects my quality of life and my relationship.

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced recurrent post-coital UTIs. Did you eventually discover the underlying cause? Was it related to vaginal bacteria, your partner, pelvic floor dysfunction, hormonal issues, or something else? Did any long-term treatment, prophylactic antibiotics, methenamine hippurate, vaginal probiotics, vaccines, or other preventive strategies help you?

I am looking for personal experiences, ideas to discuss with my doctors, and any advice that might help break this cycle. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my story and respond.

For context, I had a doctor give me antibiotics for a suspected infection about 3-4 months ago but the symptoms went away on their own within a day (and screening came back negative) so I didnt take them. Now, I am experiencing symptoms again, and I have been for a few days. Its currently 1am and I have work at 9. I am desperate for sleep and I know the antibiotics wont help instantly, I just want to know if its even safe to take it..

Im so sick of these damn infections!! Seeing a doctor takes forever where I am, and usually by the time I get to see one it progresses into a bad bladder infection and sometimes to my kidneys. Im desperate for advice for sleep lol.

Over the past three weeks (?) I've been getting constant fevers that last for hours and through the night, but by morning, it's gone. I've been experiencing chills after the fever goes away. And this is almost everyday now. Now I'm experiencing lower back pain where my kidneys are at everytime I have to pee or when I wake up in the middle of the night to pee; the pain is sharp and feels like I'm being stabbed. When I breathe, the pain intensifies. And sometimes after I take a shower, it burns when I pee. What does that mean? I haven't bled yet, only when I'm menstruating, but I think it's time for me to go to hospital to check and see if I do have a UTI. I hope I don't have a kidney infection. I'm experiencing a fever right now and mild pain. But anyways, should I go to Emergency Care or Urgent Care?

Hi everyone! I’ve been a long-time lurker of this sub since beginning my own CUTI journey back in 2023, with the worst of it taking place between June of 2025 to present. I just wanted to say to the women on here—PLEASE consider your IUD, if you have one, as a potential culprit.

I read probably every single post about CUTI/IC/horrific cycle of symptoms with no positive cultures, and was severely depressed and even having suicidal thoughts (extremely unlike me) from being in 24/7 pain (urgency, burning urethral sensation, pelvic pain) and had seen multiple urologists and tried out pelvic floor PT before finally deciding to take the leap and remove my IUD this week.

It was night and day! My IUD was a bit stubborn to remove and I even felt multiple pops inside my uterus before my OB was able to pull it out completely, and he mentioned it was possible it could have been slightly embedded in my cervix or surrounding tissues. My UTI-like symptoms lingered for a day or two, but by day 4 post-removal, I feel like I have my life and personality back. It’s almost hard to believe a week ago I was crying every day to my husband about how much pain I was in. Every doctor wants to talk about how there’s no evidence that IUDs can cause urinary symptoms, but this has taught me that WE know our bodies best, and if something doesn’t feel right, we should advocate for ourselves and our experience.

I’ll provide updates in the coming weeks/months as to whether I have truly been cured, but I want others to know this in case they might be experiencing the same frustrating cycle. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Hi there, ive had a uti for about 3 months now. Ive never had issues before (except for one UTI last july, but it responded to nitrofurantoin) but it just wont go away. ive seen a urologist and been on antibiotics: nitrofurantoin, cephalexin, Metronidazole, and levofloxacin. I dont feel any better, but somehow i keep having negative urine cultures. the bacteria that has been detected in my urine test that i last had is ecoli, ureaplasma, and gardnerella. my boyfriend was treated for the ureaplasma (azithromycin), but we havent been having sex lately anyway because of my uti. im taking d mannose, probiotic+prebiotic, and cranberry everyday. I also was checked for kidney stones 2 months ago, none were detected then.

Im seriously at a loss and it is taking a toll on my mental health. im trying to get a second opinon/another doctor asap as my other one has just been dismissing me :/

i believe i have an imbedded infection, and have been curious about biofilm disrupters. I know i wont be cured asking questions here but i am just hoping for any advice if anyone has any. Thank you!

I am at the point I don’t know what to do. Doctors have ruled out everything with me. Everytime I have sex with my spouse I get UTIs .. even when we were dating the same issue. I never had this issue with other partners. I have tried it all with him.. d manosse, recommended herbals, partner and I shower before sex and I shower after, pee after sex, even did prophylactic antibiotic which ruined my gut health and caused many other issues for me. Doctors mentioned that my husband should go to the doctor for testing since I have mentioned that he has issues emptying his bladder and some other signs of prostate/bladder issues. He is refusing to rule out that he may be a factor in me having recurring UTIs. I have asked for months for him to take my health seriously and just rule out that he isn’t playing a factor.. He is coming up with any excuse to not go and is now saying it’s all me and it’s an issue with my anatomy. He doesn’t listen to me when I express concern about the impacts of all these antibiotics have on my body and the stress of always getting UTIs and dealing with the symptoms. How do I continue to deal with an unsupportive partner. It’s frustrating enough to keep getting UTIs and I don’t know the cause other than sex with my husband increases the likelihood of getting one.

Has another been in a similar situation where you only got
UTIs with a particular partner? Did they go to the doctor to get to the bottom of it or take the microgen x test ?

Basically, I had an ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in my bladder from October to February, which was very difficult to get rid of (too many rounds of antibiotics). The problem is that, despite clearing the UTI, I continued to have burning in the vulvar area and pain in the urethra. Several vaginal swabs revealed Group B Streptococcus, and I thought my discomfort was due to that. Even so, after doing my own research (not because any doctor advised me to), I decided to do an urethral swab, and, surprise, the same resistant bacteria that I eliminated from my bladder is still there. In fact, it has developed resistance to oral antibiotics, and now I only have the option of using intramuscular antibiotics. I am extremely scared. It is the first time I have contracted a resistant bacteria, and the first time that the bacteria is hiding in the urethra and not in the bladder. Has anyone experienced something similar? Do you treat it the same way as a normal cystitis in the bladder? I need advice :(

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? I feel awful like I have the flu, I felt fine before starting the medication and the symptoms of my UTI have almost gone (first dose was 12 hours ago) but I don’t know if this is normal?

I was recently prescribed cefpodoxime 200mg for 10 days for my UTI because I took one dose of nitrofurantoin and stopped taking it after one dose due to severely feeling unwell on it. I recently got my lab test results for my urine and it says I have small amounts of E. coli in my bladder. I am not sure if cefpodoxime 200mg for 10 days is the right medication for me considering my UTI is mild, I don’t have UTI symptoms, and my doctor prescribed it based on me saying I tested positive for UTI with a at home test strip. I would also like to add that I have emetophobia and don’t want to start the antibiotics due to side effects. Again, I believe I have asymptomatic bacteriuria due to having UTI without the symptoms, so do you think taking the antibiotics is the right move? Has anyone taken this antibiotic without complications?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice or shared experiences because I’ve been dealing with recurrent UTI/cystitis symptoms for about 2 years and it has really affected my quality of life and my ability to have sex with my husband.

My symptoms started around the time I first became sexually active with my husband about 2 years ago (I was a virgin back then). Since then, sex has been the biggest trigger. If I don’t have sex for a while, my symptoms calm down a lot. For example, I didn’t have sex from February until May and I was mostly okay. Then after vacation, we had sex again and my symptoms came back very badly. My urine became cloudy and strong-smelling, and I developed UTI symptoms again, bad enough that I had to go to urgent care.

Over the past 2 years, I’ve had multiple urine tests and cultures. Some have come back positive for E. coli, especially when my symptoms were at their worst. Other tests have been negative, especially after I had already taken antibiotics. I’ve had a pelvic MRI and cystoscopy, and both were normal/negative.

Recently, after the flare in May, urgent care gave me a 5-day course of nitrofurantoin/Macrobid. After finishing it, symptoms came back again, so I went back to urgent care and was given Macrobid for 10 days. Right now, I still sometimes feel mild pain when I pee, but it is bearable. My main fear is that if I have sex again, it will trigger another UTI/culture/urgent care cycle.

I saw a urology NP recently and she suggested cranberry, D-mannose, hydration, pelvic floor therapy, and taking cephalexin after sex as prophylaxis. I understand that post-sex antibiotics may help, but I’m worried because I can’t imagine relying on antibiotics forever, especially because I want to get pregnant at some point.

I have had MRI, cystoscopy tests done and they were all negative. I was also checked for STIs , yeast infections and even ureoplasma everything came back negative. I don't even know what else to think of.

Did Hiprex/methenamine hippurate help anyone with sex-triggered UTIs?

I’m not looking for a diagnosis from Reddit, but I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who had a similar pattern — especially symptoms that started after becoming sexually active and were strongly triggered by sex.

This has been emotionally exhausting and has made intimacy feel scary because I’m afraid every time we have sex I’ll end up with another UTI.

I struggle with chronic utis and an overractive bladder that will just not go away. I’ve had them for the past 3 and a half years. I’m constantly in pain and I feel like a hallow shell of the person I used to be.Its effected my relationships, my social life, my mental health and my spirituality. For a person who has had a uti u could probably relate to the pain I’m feeling and if u can’t than consider yourself so so lucky.

I’ve done everything
I wipe front to back
I pee after sex
I took d mannose
I drink litres upon litres of water
I lost weight
I went to the doctors
I’ve undergone surgery

Nobody knows the cause

I feel like I get uti just by breathing at this point

My body has become immune to the antibiotics and I’m tired of being in pain all the time.

I’m beginning to think my case is spiritual

Id be so grateful to receive any tips whether medical or spiritual

Please I’ll do anything I just want the pain to stop
I just want to be normal again

Hello all. I am 13w4d pregnant, this is my first pregnancy. I’m worried about all of the antibiotics I’ve taken so far in the first trimester. At about 5 weeks I had UTI symptoms, I went to my OBGYN who did a in house UTI dip test, & a vaginal swab for BV & yeast. While waiting for results, I was put on a Keflex twice daily for 7 days. Halfway through I was told I don’t have a UTI, just a yeast infection (which can be caused by early pregnancy), & to take Monistat & finish my antibiotics just in case. Then, at 7 weeks, I got UTI symptoms again, and was put on Keflex twice daily for 10 days. They did a UTI dip test, & I tested positive for leukocytes. Now, I’m 13 weeks pregnant, with a UTI that they actually sent to Quest this time, & I tested positive for a bacteria that only responds well to Macrobid. I know I have to take the antibiotic, because this specific bacteria won’t go away on its own (according to Google). However, I feel so guilty & nervous. Did anyone else take multiple antibiotics during the first trimester? Or multiple antibiotics during their pregnancy at all? How is your baby now? Idc how it affects me, just my baby.

Has anyone been left without any help from the public health sector when it comes to chronic infections ?

I cannot find a primary care physician who will take this seriously or believe I am having true infections. They all believe it is just colonized bacteria and not harmful to me despite having multiple bouts of sepsis.

I have had the same problem with urologist and Infectious disease specialists. Ive cycled through 4 urologist and 5 ID specialists who never believed I was sick until I ended up in the hospital with sepsis. Even then they neglected me afterwards with no urgency to prevent it from happening again.

I feel like im the only person this is happening to in the community. everyone I've talked to has at least one person who manages them, and I have zero help. None..

I finally hired a CUTI specialist. But aside from that, I have no help besides patching things up in the ER when it gets bad and they just recycle me over and over again..