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What Causes Recurring Bladder Infections Post Intercourse?
Question: Hi there, I am unfortunate enough to have recurrent 'honeymoon' cystitis, meaning I will 100% get a bladder infection each time I have intercourse, this is just horrible. Currently I am having an attack and my GP has given me Trimethoprim, which he said I can also use after intercourse for 3 days to prevent an attack. I am quite sure that it is my 'small' anatomy which contributes to this problem. I dont want to be on antibiotics for the rest of my sexual life, please help!!!!
Brief Answer:
There are other options
Detailed Answer:
First of all, this is not such an unusual situation. It seems pretty clear that you can associate the recurrent bladder infections with intercourse. It is not uncommon to use prophylactic antibiotics to avoid UTI's. Here is what I would typically tell patients:
1. After intercourse, make sure that you get up as soon as possible and urinate - this is your first line of defense
2. Three days of antibiotics seems excessive. A better option is a medication called macrobid / nitrofurantoin that would be taken once after intercourse and again in 12 hours - that is it
3. I would make sure that the diagnosis is correct - you need culture confirmation that the symptoms are related to a bladder infection. You should not be taking antibiotic unnecessarily.
For whatever reason, this does not seem to be a problem that just persists forever. Certainly beyond this 'honeymoon' phase you will not be having intercourse quite as often and this might simply be less of an issue over time.
Does this help?
Dr. Tim
There are other options
Detailed Answer:
First of all, this is not such an unusual situation. It seems pretty clear that you can associate the recurrent bladder infections with intercourse. It is not uncommon to use prophylactic antibiotics to avoid UTI's. Here is what I would typically tell patients:
1. After intercourse, make sure that you get up as soon as possible and urinate - this is your first line of defense
2. Three days of antibiotics seems excessive. A better option is a medication called macrobid / nitrofurantoin that would be taken once after intercourse and again in 12 hours - that is it
3. I would make sure that the diagnosis is correct - you need culture confirmation that the symptoms are related to a bladder infection. You should not be taking antibiotic unnecessarily.
For whatever reason, this does not seem to be a problem that just persists forever. Certainly beyond this 'honeymoon' phase you will not be having intercourse quite as often and this might simply be less of an issue over time.
Does this help?
Dr. Tim
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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