r/CUTI

I just got prescribed Hiprex to help combat my frequent UTIs. Thing is I have read how starting at 1mg twice a day can be a bit uncomfortable. How can I ease my body into this since I’m already so sensitive down there due to all the damage done from infections?

I do want to add that I would have asked my doctor about this when it was prescribed, however this was given to me over the phone after finding out a urogyno appointment in my area is a 4 month wait… I live in Hawaii so it’s not like I can drive far to someone sooner because if I could I would lol. So my gyno wrote me this script to hold me over at my request.

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.

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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.

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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!

I'm writing on behalf of my mother in hopes that I can find anything here that could help her out. She is currently fighting an infection and the doctors in our area are unfortunately not specialised for this not do they have the appropriate tools. Because of the incompetence of our doctors and unhygienic circumstances of our hospitals my mother had to suffer the consequences.

She has even done IVF antibiotics (without any targeted treatment) and we only just found out what even is causing all this. All with no effect.

She has been managing her symptoms by drinking blueberry and cranberry tea and now that is also giving way.

Currently the doctors are refusing to give her any antibiotics and she is at a stalemate. We are looking to find her a clinic abroad that will take her case but nothing as of yet not to mention the financial stain. Our country is laking in the medical field and not fit to treat her uti.

I have advised my mother to take probiotics bc in all her years of antibiotics no one ever told her to replenish her gut flora (I myself live abroad and was unaware of the severity of her case) and she is taking suppositories to restore her messed up vaginal ph.

She even stopped eating any milk products so no yogurt which would have been her sole source of probiotic bc doctors advised ger against them due to her kidney stones.

Is there anything else she could do without antibiotic treatment and specialists to somehow give her body a fighting chance or do we just pray now? Any advice is appreciated and needed and very much desperate.

Edit: Thank you all gor the advice. We're looking into getting her Hiprex in hopes to keep her infection under control at least and we're focusing on getting some prebiotic and probiotics into her system. Everything else will need a more professional approach and will have to wait until we find a specialist willing to take her case.

Thank you again for the great advice and for all the tips ❤️

Good evening, I’m writing this in a moment of frustration.

For over a year now, I haven’t been able to have intercourse without experiencing urinary urgency within 48 hours. There is only mild burning and no other symptoms. My doctor has repeatedly prescribed antibiotics, without ever ordering a urine culture.

The last time, before taking antibiotics again, I had a urine culture done and it came back negative. Within 2–3 days, just by waiting, the symptoms resolved on their own.

After that, my doctor recommended several supplements, which I’ve been taking. My gynecologist also suggested additional supplements, and I’m currently taking those as well.

After a couple of symptom-free weeks, the issue came back again following intercourse, and right now I feel particularly discouraged. Both dipstick tests and urine cultures are negative.

I’m posting here because I feel like my concerns haven’t been taken seriously, especially by my gynecologist, who after suggesting supplements basically told me “you just have to live with it, it’s normal for women.”

Some extra details that might help:

• My partner also had a urine culture, which was negative. We always have protected sex using non-latex condoms;
• We use a water-based lubricant without glycerin;
• We follow proper hygiene and urinate before and after intercourse;
• Unfortunately, I’ve developed a bit of anxiety around this, which sometimes leads to pain during sex even with plenty of lubricant. We try to take it slow, btw
• I regularly take D-mannose before and after intercourse.

At this point I really don’t know what else to try, and I’m feeling quite discouraged. Thank you for any advice.

Oh, and sorry for my english. Not my first language.

My doctor is just telling me that I'm sensitive and it'll pass, but I wanna double check with others:

Got a UTI. Went on Macrobid, which I've been on before and had no issues with. This time, it gave me horrible dizziness and made my arm numb. Super scary. Was on it for two days before switching to Bactrim.

Felt okay-ish on bactrim. Was on it for three day course. Uti is gone (yay!!!!) but now I have dizziness (not as bad as the Macrobid though), light headedness, nausea, mild body aches, and cold hands. Anyone else had this before? Will it pass naturally with time? I'm a little nervous.

I technically have been having burning during urination for like two years now, I used to think it was normal or smth until I found out about utis and decided to self medicate (bad idea I know but I didnt know it at the time) however it didn't exactly go away, in January I talked to my gp about it and she made me do a urinalysis and it came back negative, 3 weeks ago the burning actually was worsening and I had trouble urinating so I went and did a urinalysis and it showed leukocytes, ketones and protein, so I was prescribed ciprofloxacin, I took it for 6 days, ir was working but then the symptoms came back around the 4th day so I go and tell my gp and she prescribed me cefuroxime, I took that for 5 days, the burning actually mostly went away, it was still there though just a little bit, I finished the course but since the burning was still there I told my gp and she made me do another urinalysis and it showed some blood and protein however I was at the end of my period at the time so honestly maybe the blood was from that, either way she was like I gotta go do a urine culture, so I do that the next day and then the day after I gave it the results come back negative for bacteria, I go to my gp and I tell her that and shes like ok we'll do an ultrasound and the ultrasound showed no abnormalities in my kidneys but my bladder had wall thickening so they said it could be the uti/cystitis, my gp prescribed me amoxicillin but when I took it I had an allergic reaction so I go tell her that and she just let's me go to a urologist, I go and he does an ultrasound on me and tells me he'll let me do a urine culture (i didnt tell him I already did one) but since that was on late friday and the labs dont work later in the day and they dont work during the weekends either I was made to wait til monday, I go Monday give them the urine sample and I wait, on Tuesday the results come back negative for bacteria again. Yesterday I do a urinalysis and everything came back normal. Im so confused on what to do at this point and im really scared, should I just start self medicating? Like i go and buy some other antibiotic and take that for like 10 days and hope it gets rid of everything?

Hello everyone, I've been suffering from recurrent UTIs since I was 7 years old (currently 24 now). Growing up, getting one at least once a year was my "normal." In 2021-2022, things really escalated and I started getting them back to back (4-5 in a year).

History

I've seen multiple specialists over the years. When I was 17, I went to Children's Hospital Orange County for testing, but they found nothing. In 2021, I saw two more specialists who also couldn't identify the root cause.

• I shower twice daily, one in the morning to wake myself up and after getting home from work.
• I only wear cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight clothing.
• I take cranberry pills and used to take D-Mannose.

One specialist put me on low-dose daily antibiotics which works for a few months. After that, he switched me over to a post-coital dose, but eventually stopped due to the high cost of the specialist visits ($200/visit). After that, the frequency dropped back to once or twice at most a year, but never truly went away.

Recent Flare Up

My last UTI was November 2025. On Sunday, April 12th, I felt the burning sensations, bladder discomfort, and the constant urge to go with very little urine output. I went to urgent care where they found 500+ WBC (white blood cells) in my urine. I was prescribed a 5 day course of Nitrofurantoin which usually works for me.

I finished the full course and felt okay until Sunday, April 19th. The symptoms came back while I was out of town, so I used AZO to manage the pain until I could get to urgent care on Monday. The new culture confirmed the infection was back, showing 75 WBC and 50 blood in my urine. I felt very emotional receiving my dipstick test back that came back positive for a UTI because I am very frustrated that my body is failing me and I essentially have no answers.

My Recent Steps

I finally went to go see a urologist following my urgent care visit. He actually listened to me! He is ordering a renal/kidney ultrasound on Thursday, April 23 and a cystoscopy procedure on Tuesday, May 12 to check for anatomical issues. I made it ultra clear to him that I am not willing to go back on daily/post coital antibiotics until we rule out a structural cause. I currently am still experiencing bladder discomfort, slight burning sensation, and lower back pain even though I was prescribed a new antibiotic, ciprofloxacin.

TLDR

I’ve been dealing with painful UTIs since I was 7 years old, and even though I do everything doctors tell me to do for hygiene and prevention, they won't stop coming back. After years of being told everything was "normal," my infections recently got much worse and came right back even after a full round of antibiotics. I finally found a urologist who is taking me seriously, so I'm getting an ultrasound and a bladder scope to see if there's a physical reason this is happening. I'm done just taking daily antibiotics to mask the problem...I want to find the actual cause.

I am looking for people who have been through the same/similar. I am so tired of going through this every year and I know that this isn't normal. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I simply can't take it anymore. Since December I've had pain when urinating. I've already taken antibiotics, had urine cultures done, had imaging exams. The urologist said it wasn't his problem anymore and prescribed a medication to be taken once a day to relieve the pain, but it doesn't work. That's the problem; there isn't a single time I urinate that it doesn't hurt. It's been like this since December! I'm tired, really tired! I don't even know which doctor or who to contact because I don't have money and only have health insurance.

I know a lot of people here take NAC without any side effects, but has anyone experienced moderate to severe joint pain all over the body after starting NAC? If you stopped taking NAC, did it get better? Did you try adjusting the dose or switching brands to see if it improved?