Brief Answer:
My opinion is described in detail below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for asking your question at HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and I can understand your concern.

Your symptoms are suggestive of chronic urinary tract infection(UTI). Chronic UTI require further evaluation to determine whether the infection is limited to the bladder or has spread to kidney.

Since you are complaining of lower back pain, I'd definitely recommend getting checked for infection in your kidneys. This will require treatment with even higher generation of antibiotics.

Some women in menopause experience recurrent and chronic urinary infections, and Hormone replacement therapy has shown to improve the symptoms (Please let me know the details in this regard).

There are certain things you can try to help with the symptoms-

- drink plenty of fluids
- Drinking cranberry juice can help preventing recurrence
- wipe from front to back after using the toilet
- wear light cotton underwear
- Constipation increase risk of urinary infections. Avoid constipation by eating high fiber diet including fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of fluids, avoid or limit coffee intake
- Avoid using diaphragms and vaginal douches as they increase risk of urinary infections.
- Keep genital area clean. Wash with water thoroughly after intercourse.

I'd recommend that you follow up with your doctor to look for any infection of kidney. Further investigations including urine analysis, culture and imaging studies are warranted at this point. Your doctor may also recommend long term antibiotic use . Meanwhile I recommend Tylenol for pain (if not allergic) instead of motrin. Motrin can cause further damage to kidneys.

Hope I was able to answer your question
Please feel free to address any more concerns

Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi

---