u/PrestigiousWalk5579

Hey everyone! I hope one of you can help me.

I (F27) started getting UTIs when I became sexually active at 18 (I've been with the same partner ever since; I've never had sex with anyone else). Before that, I had maybe four uncomplicated cystitis in my entire life, always treated with fosfomycin. Anyway, I know for a fact that my UTIs are sex-related because for much of my relationship (from 2018 to 2023), we lived in different countries and only saw each other about four times a year. And, of course, I got cystitis those four times.

When we started living together, the frequency increased to about 6 or 7 times. Even though the doctors told me it was normal, that's just how female anatomy is, I couldn't just sit idly by and started researching. In the summer of 2024, I tried d-mannose, and that, along with stopping birth control pills, seemed to solve my problem. I went almost a year without infections (8 months) and I was very happy. My anxiety before sex disappeared, and I felt healthy again.

(I ​​have PCOS, which is why I was taking birth control pills. I decided to stop taking them because I knew they could worsen my UTIs, and that time was the one in which I had the fewest infections (until they returned in May). My periods were very irregular, sometimes lasting between two and three months. Now I'm treating my PCOS with inositol, which is regulating my periods. To be sure, before starting treatment I had a thorough analysis of my hormones, and although I seemed to be producing more androgens than normal, my other levels were quite normal. I don't have insuline resistance either.)

In May 2025, I experienced symptoms again, and a urine test confirmed an infection. It happened again in June and August. I was always prescribed fosfomycin to treat it, and the symptoms seemed to subside. However, it appeared to be less effective each time.

October 2025 arrived, probably the start of the worst period of my life. I began experiencing burning in the inner area of ​​my vagina, along with redness that wouldn't go away. My doctor didn't even want to run any tests and decided to prescribe an antifungal cream to see if it would work. A week later, I returned to his office with symptoms of an infection. This time he prescribed amoxicillin. Two weeks later, the symptoms returned, and I was prescribed amoxicillin again. In November, I felt unwell once more. It was the first time I had a urine culture, and it detected Klebsiella pneumoniae. Again, a week of amoxicillin. Two weeks later, I still had the symptoms, and he prescribed the same medication. Throughout December, the symptoms were sometimes just a minor discomfort and slight burning, but I didn't think it was a bacterial infection. These symptoms worsened at the end of January, and I ended up in ER because I was experiencing lower back pain… And this was the turning point:

1. Another culture again detected Klebsiella pneumoniae in large quantities. Since the recurrence seemed strange to me, I did some research so I could interpret the results myself. Of course, it was an ESBL bacteria resistant to amoxicillin and almost any antibiotic I could take orally. The only options were intramuscular antibiotics or Augmentin. Let’s thank my doctor, who didn't even bother to properly study my results and prescribed the wrong antibiotics.
2. Along with Augmentin (10 days), I took lactoferrin and NAC for 1 month and limited my sugar and carbohydrate intake to almost zero.

After the treatment, I was pain-free for two weeks. I couldn't believe it after so many months. But it didn't last long because then, at the beginning of March, another culture detected Citrobacter koseri, which I treated for six days with ciprofloxacin.

The sheer number of antibiotics I took over five months was terrifying, and yet it still didn't seem to be enough. Since the burning sensation in my vulva persisted (although the bladder pain disappeared), my gynecologist recommended a vaginal swab. I had it done at a public hospital, so the information is limited (it doesn't tell me the bacteria rate, which would be quite helpful), but thanks to it, I discovered that my lactobacilli are almost nonexistent and that I tested positive for Streptococcus galactiae. I also tested negative for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma.

I decided I'd had enough antibiotics, so I asked my urogynecologist for an alternative to treat this bacteria. Right now, I'm trying to reduce the bacterial population by introducing vaginal and oral probiotics (mostly L. crispatus, and a few others), and I'm also trying to improve my gut health with E. coli 5C probiotics. The symptoms seem to be gradually subsiding, but it's been so many months that I'm starting to forget what it feels like to have a healthy intimate area.

–

So, in summary:

1. My UTIs are always related to sex.
2. I took birth control pills from 2017 to 2024. In 2018, I started having unprotected sex (my partner was tested for STIs and was negative) that caused UTIs. When I stopped taking birth control, we started using latex-free condoms, although they didn't seem to prevent the UTIs.
3. I ​​have PCOS, treated since february with inositol. Hormones seems fine but maybe, MAYBE, the excess androgens are preventing my estrogen in the vagina from doing its job properly?
4. ALSO IMPORTANT: I ​​had an ultrasound of my urinary tract (bladder and kidneys), and everything seemed normal except for two small kidney stones, one 4mm and the other 2mm. I don't know how long I've had them, maybe years, but the doctors keep telling me they're so small that surgery is pointless. I've tried drinking teas to dissolve them and consuming a lot of lemon, but they're still there. So I have this worry that I can't seem to shake, thinking that maybe there are bacteria hiding in them.
5. My urogynecologist examined me and concluded that my pelvic floor is in perfect condition.

Finally, please, if you've been through something similar or have any advice to give me, I'd listen carefully. I want to be intimate with my partner again without being terrified of the consequences, to feel healthy. I've suffered chronic pain every minute, every day, for six months. I even started to think that living like that wasn't worth it. I need a solution to all of this, and I know you'll take me more seriously than all the doctors who have ignored my pleas.

Thank you all!

Hey everyone! I hope one of you can help me.

Before sharing my story, I should mention that I've read the Intro Guide and considered every post published here in the last four months, including older posts relevant to my situation. I live in Italy, so some treatments recommended here like Hiprex are beyond my reach.

Like many of you, I (F27) started getting UTIs when I became sexually active at 18 (I've been with the same partner ever since; I've never had sex with anyone else). Before that, I had maybe four uncomplicated cystitis in my entire life, always treated with fosfomycin. Anyway, I know for a fact that my UTIs are sex-related because for much of my relationship (from 2018 to 2023), we lived in different countries and only saw each other about four times a year. And, of course, I got cystitis those four times.

When we started living together, the frequency increased to about 6 or 7 times. Even though the doctors told me it was normal, that's just how female anatomy is, I couldn't just sit idly by and started researching. In the summer of 2024, I tried d-mannose, and that, along with stopping birth control pills, seemed to solve my problem. I went almost a year without infections (8 months) and I was very happy. My anxiety before sex disappeared, and I felt healthy again.

In May 2025, I experienced symptoms again, and a urine test confirmed an infection. It happened again in June and August. I was always prescribed fosfomycin to treat it, and the symptoms seemed to subside. However, it appeared to be less effective each time.

October 2025 arrived, probably the start of the worst period of my life. I began experiencing burning in the inner area of ​​my vagina, along with redness that wouldn't go away. My doctor didn't even want to run any tests and decided to prescribe an antifungal cream to see if it would work. A week later, I returned to his office with symptoms of an infection. This time he prescribed amoxicillin. Two weeks later, the symptoms returned, and I was prescribed amoxicillin again. In November, I felt unwell once more. It was the first time I had a urine culture, and it detected Klebsiella pneumoniae. Again, a week of amoxicillin. Two weeks later, I still had the symptoms, and he prescribed the same medication. Throughout December, the symptoms were sometimes just a minor discomfort and slight burning, but I didn't think it was a bacterial infection. These symptoms worsened at the end of January, and I ended up in ER because I was experiencing lower back pain… And this was the turning point:

1. Another culture again detected Klebsiella pneumoniae in large quantities. Since the recurrence seemed strange to me, I did some research so I could interpret the results myself. Of course, it was an ESBL bacteria resistant to amoxicillin and almost any antibiotic I could take orally. The only options were intramuscular antibiotics or Augmentin. Let’s thank my doctor, who didn't even bother to properly study my results and prescribed the wrong antibiotics.
2. Thanks to this group I learned a lot. Along with Augmentin (10 days), I took lactoferrin and NAC for 1 month and limited my sugar and carbohydrate intake to almost zero.

After the treatment, I was pain-free for two weeks. I couldn't believe it after so many months. But it didn't last long because then, at the beginning of March, another culture detected Citrobacter koseri, which I treated for six days with ciprofloxacin.

The sheer number of antibiotics I took over five months was terrifying, and yet it still didn't seem to be enough. Since the burning sensation in my vulva persisted (although the bladder pain disappeared), my gynecologist recommended a vaginal swab. I had it done at a public hospital, so the information is limited (it doesn't tell me the bacteria rate, which would be quite helpful), but thanks to it, I discovered that my lactobacilli are almost nonexistent and that I tested positive for Streptococcus galactiae. I also tested negative for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma.

I decided I'd had enough antibiotics, so I asked my urogynecologist for an alternative to treat this bacteria. Right now, I'm trying to reduce the bacterial population by introducing vaginal and oral probiotics (mostly L. crispatus, and a few others), and I'm also trying to improve my gut health with E. coli 5C probiotics. The symptoms seem to be gradually subsiding, but it's been so many months that I'm starting to forget what it feels like to have a healthy intimate area.

–

So, in summary:

1. My UTIs are always related to sex.
2. I took birth control pills from 2017 to 2024. In 2018, I started having unprotected sex (my partner was tested for STIs and was negative) that caused UTIs. When I stopped taking birth control, we started using latex-free condoms, although they didn't seem to prevent the UTIs.
3. IMPORTANT: I ​​have PCOS, which is why I was taking birth control pills. I decided to stop taking them because I knew they could worsen my UTIs, and that time was the one in which I had the fewest infections (until they returned in May). My periods were very irregular, sometimes lasting between two and three months. Now I'm treating my PCOS with inositol, which is regulating my periods. To be sure, before starting treatment I had a thorough analysis of my hormones, and although I seemed to be producing more androgens than normal, my other levels were quite normal.
4. ALSO IMPORTANT: I ​​had an ultrasound of my urinary tract (bladder and kidneys), and everything seemed normal except for two small kidney stones, one 4mm and the other 2mm. I don't know how long I've had them, maybe years, but the doctors keep telling me they're so small that surgery is pointless. I've tried drinking teas to dissolve them and consuming a lot of lemon, but they're still there. So I have this worry that I can't seem to shake, thinking that maybe there are bacteria hiding in them.
5. My urogynecologist examined me and concluded that my pelvic floor is in perfect condition.

–

QUESTIONS

1. I've been trying to figure out why this is happening to me for years. A hormonal imbalance seemed like a possibility, but after the tests I've had done, I'm starting to have doubts. Using or not using a condom doesn't seem to make any difference. I've ruled out Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. My partner doesn't have any STIs. Obviously, I follow all the hygiene advice before and after sex. What other possibility is there?
2. In mid-2024, I had irritation in the vulvar area, accompanied by some small white spots inside. It cleared up with antifungal cream, but now I'm wondering if it was Streptococcus galactiae… I've had it since then, but only now, due to dysbiosis, have my symptoms worsened? Can this bacteria contribute to UTIs?
3. My biggest fear right now is that Klebsiella pneumoniae is hidden in my bladder due to have had it for so many months. I don't have any symptoms, but who knows if they'll appear when I resume sexual activity? I haven't had sex for two months to let my body heal, but I can't stop thinking about it. I took NAC to break down the biofilm for a month, but who knows if that was enough. What do you recommend in this case?
4. Finally, please, if you've been through something similar or have any advice to give me, I'd listen carefully. I want to be intimate with my partner again without being terrified of the consequences, to feel healthy. I've suffered chronic pain every minute, every day, for six months. I even started to think that living like that wasn't worth it. I need a solution to all of this, and I know you'll take me more seriously than all the doctors who have ignored my pleas.

Thank you all!