Bladder Infections

I had my abdominal hysterectomy a year ago January. Since then I have had 4 or 5 bladder infections. I had granulation issues treated two times with silver nitrate. If my husband wears a condom I don't seem to get them but when he doesn't sometimes I do. I find this strange.I go to the washroom before and after and still seem to get a bladder infection sometimes. I do not like taking all of these anibiotics.

Prior to my hysterectomy I had a a few over the years but since my surgery they are more frequent and I only get them after sex.

I guess I should see a urologist? My GP doesn't think that it is caused from the surgery but said that women tend to get them more frequently as they age....I kept my ovaries but perhaps my hormone levels are off and this is why I am getting them?

Has any one experienced this? I want my love life back.

If your GP has no options for you, then I think a visit to a urologist might be a good idea!

I do want to ask, are you sure you are having actual bladder infections? Is bacteria being found during cultures of your urine? I ask because there are other conditions that mimic bladder infections but aren't actually infections. You might have one of those chronic conditions as I do.

Best wishes! S

I do not know. All I know is that I get them after making love without a condom, not every time but some of the time. The day after I start feeling this swelling feeling after I go to the bathroom, and then I start to have to go frequently. Antibiotics seems to clear it within 24 hours.

May I ask what your chronic problems and symptoms are?

I have interstitial cystitis. The symptoms are classic UTI symptoms but a culture will rule out any infection. Thus, while taking an antibiotic seems to help, it really did nothing as there was no infection for it to help!

Specific symptoms for me include burning, urgency and frequency, bleeding, feeling my bladder is full, etc. I thought I was having UTI's until the cultures showed no signs of infection.

Since you have luck with condom use, perhaps your husband is passing some bacteria to you. Maybe if he cleanses before sex as well? Just a thought.

My DH and I sat down and talked about when I seem to get them and I don't think my husband is passing anything on to me....he has been wearing a condom as I had had the silver nitrate treatments for the granulation.

I notice that sex is uncomfortable, hopefully not TMI, when he goes too deep and hits high up....I think it is then that I have bladder discomfort the next day that leads to a feeling of infection. Pus is showing up in my urine cultures.

I am starting to wonder if I may have a mild bladder prolapse. The only trouble I have though is after sex - no incontinence issues. Sex is sometimes uncomfortable if he hits too high....and then I sometimes get an infection.

Perhaps I should make an appt. with my gyno and not my MD?

I had a similar situation the year after my hyst. Like you, I was sure to empty my bladder right before and immediately after. We also made sure I had enough estrogen on board to be sure the tissues were healthy. I was eventually prescribed a prophylactic antibiotic (nitrofurantoin< generic for Macrodantin) to take just one capsule prior to relations. This did help, and I was eventually able to go without. The other thing the GYN mentioned is that the urethra does get a little bit traumatized, so to speak, so altering your position a little might help also.

I think seeing your GYN, or urologist, is a good idea too.

Hope things improve for you soon. Good luck.

Thank you everyone.

Sistabeth....glad to hear that your condition improved with time. I see you also have had a lot of procedures. I like you had Lupron (which I absolutely hated) and an endo ablation & hysteroscopic myo.

My DH has been wonderful through all of this. One thing after another. In between the bladder infections though life is grand and I feel sooo much better and have no regrets. Living with anemia was much worse.

Thank you...off to the gyno I go