Have many of you experienced more frequent occurrences of cystitis since being on hormone therapy? I know low oestrogen makes us more vulnerable but it is really annoying.
Ann
Hi Ann,
I didn’t experience this on hormone therapy, but I did suffer chronic cystitis when I was much younger and got into the endless cycle of antibiotics followed by thrush followed by yet another bout of cystitis. The solution that worked for me was following the advice of a lady called Angela Kilmartin when I bought one of her books - now of course she has a website angelakilmartin.com/.
She basically proved that, providing there is no sinister underlying cause for the repeated infections, they are all due to simple cross infection of bacteria from the bowel and she promoted some simple, but strict hygiene rules to prevent that. Send me a pm if you’d like to know more, but I have been following her rules now for over 25 years and I have been completely free from urine infections ever since. I think you’re right about low oestrogen making you more vulnerable, but following her advice should still work for you.
I hope you feel better soon - I know that they can make you feel really miserable.
E x
elsk
I do know the basic rules, but would welcome any further ideas, in case there is something I have missed. Perhaps you could PM me with them? I had cystitis when I was young and followed the rules thereafter and never had another bout, until recently. It is only since coming off HRT upon diagnosis and then starting on Letrozole that I have had it again. As soon as I am aware of the problem, I start with bicarbonate of soda and drinking lots and I manage to get rid of it that way. I don’t want to keep taking anti-biotics.
Thanks.
Ann x
Ann,
I have found that I have got more urine infections since starting capecitibine a few months back, however I am on hormone treatment also. I get a regular prescription from my gp for replens, a moisturiser for down below and this helps. I also drink lots of cranberry juice, not sure if its helping though!
Snoogle
x
Snoogle
I know a lot of people swear by cranberry juice but I read somewhere that it can actually be the reason why people have so many recurrences. I think it was something to do with the fact that it has so much sugar in it and not enough cranberries - can’t quite remember. Funnily enough, I have had cranberry juice this week, after not having any for months and now I have cystitis!
Ann x
I have been doing some research and I think what I am experiencing may be an inflammation of the bladder lining. I do not believe mine is caused by bacteria, as the urine does not seem to be infected, although the other symptoms are the same as cystitis. I am still trying to find out more about it, but it seems it can definitely be linked to low oestrogen. I read that “oestrogen has many effects on the bladder lining, nerves, blood vessels and muscles that govern urinary function”. So, it looks as if this is another of the many side effects we have to endure. Great!
Is anyone else having the same problems?
Ann x