What about D-Mannose

ETA- I read about this supplement here on Reddit somewhere and saved it on my Amazon wishlist. I don't get UTIs often. Only two in the past 15 years...so there it remains, on my Amazon wishlist. Lol.

Edit 2- I just remembered why I added it! I bought it to add to my cats' food since I have one cat that is prone to UTIs and a boy, who by default would be prone to them. Adding the powder version to my cart now.

Also, would "cats' " be right if I'm talking about multiple cats of mine? Or would I just say cats? Halp!

If you're in a city, I'd phone large drugstores/pharmacies that also stock vitamins and supplements, expecting them to carry it.

DuckDuckGo (or yuck!, google) D-Mannose and amazon, and you'll get a flood of offering links. It's simple synthesize and chemically identical to the 'extract' from cranberries (so, please don't spend more money for the "extract" version). example (a common brand I'd expect local stores to stock)

D-mannose is some kind of sugar that the bacteria bind to - you can buy it on Amazon (reviews are also a helpful source of info on other people's experience with it). Also typically available at health-food type stores (whole foods, sprouts, etc.). When I am having frequent issues with UTIs, I take some d-mannose preventatively. When I have an actual bad UTI, I take it every couple of hours with a little water, then wait 30 minutes, and drink as much water as I can stomach to flush out the bacteria. If it's not working, sometimes I'll take a tums with the d-mannose because it works better when your stomach is a little less acidic.

For BA - I haven't had to use it in years (KNOCK ON WOOD). But yea, I would use it as soon as I started to feel off. I usually would just do it at night because sometimes you can get discharge. I do recommend it with the coconut oil because I can also find it slightly irritating (but not NEARLY as much as some OTC medications I'm talking to you monistat)

I struggled with UTIs for months in 2019, antibiotics didn’t help but a supplement called D-Mannose has kept them away for years now. You can get it on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_D5KEAVNE6PG7A0F8AJZM?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It’s a total game changer. Basically the bacteria latches to the glucose and you pee it out of your system.

I struggled with UTIs for months in 2019, antibiotics didn’t help but a supplement called D-Mannose has kept them away for years now. You can get it on Amazon and it basically allows you to pee out the bad bacteria. It’s totally natural too so won’t have the same impact on you as antibiotics.

NOW Foods Supplements, D-Mannose 500 mg, Non-GMO Project Verified, Healthy Urinary Tract, 120 Veg Capsules https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_D5KEAVNE6PG7A0F8AJZM?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I'm also plagued by this. Two things have helped me: 1) D-mannose powder or pills. I take these.

2) After spending my entire adult/sexually active life getting 4-10 UTIs a year, finally a couple of years ago I found a doctor that agreed to give me a standing prescription to self-treat UTIs as soon as they come on. My symptoms come on really quickly and Macrobid (nitrofurantoin) works really quickly as well so I find if I am able to take a loading dose of Macrobid as soon as symptoms start I am back to 100% within 12 hours or so.

Over the years I've used antibiotics preventatively every day or after sex but I'd rather avoid taking that much antibiotics and I find the D-mannose works pretty well (when I remember to take it), and for the occasional infection I still get at least I don't have to wait for a doctor's appointment and then stand in line at the pharmacy feeling like I'm going to pee my pants.

D mannose always helps with my UTIs and it’s over the counter. I normally order it online since it can be hard to find in stores. It works amazingly for some people and I like to keep it on hand for when I feel a UTI coming.

NOW Foods Supplements, D-Mannose 500 mg, Non-GMO Project Verified, Healthy Urinary Tract, 120 Veg Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3KM7RD80FQC1200YYJX2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Have you ever tried d-mannose? It has been a life saver for me! I used to get UTIs all the time and I haven’t since I started taking these. I take 3 after sex. Some people seem to take them daily too just to be sure.

NOW Foods Supplements, D-Mannose 500 mg, Non-GMO Project Verified, Healthy Urinary Tract, 120 Veg Capsules https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QH95DN36P1XZXPPPQ8B7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Not sure if you'll see this but my wife is prone to UTIs. They go full blown in a matter of hours. She was always taking antibiotics and having to increase the dosage. She's found taking dmannose 1 pill 2-3 times a day manages then extremely well. So well that she hasn't taken antibiotics in 3+ years. It's a life saver for her. She still needs to make sure she drinks water and if she feels a UTI she'll up the dosage a bit and boom it goes away. Hopefully you'll see this and take a look. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_s2puFb05BPCER

Yes. I had constant UTIs with the Paragard and it’s one of the major reasons I removed it. Absolutely take the antibiotics, and then go on amazon and order you a big old bottle of D Mannose powder capsules. It’s a sugar that isn’t digested in the body but since it’s a sugar, UTI bacteria love it and cling to it. I swear by it for UTIs, and recommend taking three lozenges to start, then three in the morning and evening for a day or two. You can go down to two capsules AM/PM on the third day. It works fast and it’s effective, and can be taken anytime without developing a resistance, since it’s just a sugar.

Here is what I use: NOW Supplements, D-Mannose 500 mg, Non-GMO Project Verified, Healthy Urinary Tract*, 120 Veg Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Nl8iEb8Q7HMXV

I realize this isn’t the advice you’re asking for but I also got a UTI after birth that lasted through two rounds of antibiotics and this stuff was a life saver: NOW D-Mannose 500 mg,120 Veg Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_U.3.BbH6Y2RQ2

There’s some clinical evidence that it can treat UTIs that aren’t responding to ABs and for me the relief was pretty quick. Good luck - you must be miserable!

make sure she is well-hydrated so that she can always pee after sex. Even if it means having a little waterbelly during sex, that's better than not peeing and catching a UTI.

Also, as a lady who is also prone to UTI's, I started taking D-Mannose a few times a week and I haven't gotten one since. It's a godsend... read up on it, and buy her some here

Try this stuff http://www.amazon.com/D-Mannose-500-mg-120-Caps/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408586379&sr=8-1&keywords=d-mannose+capsules. The first reviewer says she had the same issue your girlfriend has and these cured it. Plus these are much safer than taking antibiotics all the time.

I also used to get UTIs pretty much every month for a 2-3 year period of my life. It was hell. My doctor kept prescribing me antibiotics, which I took so often I think the bacteria in my urethra became resistant. There was one time I was in so much pain for so long I took too much Nitrofurantoin (the antibiotic) that it wiped out the 'good bacteria' in my system and I gave myself a yeast infection... on top of my UTI :(.

I was taking concentrated cranberry pills and drinking my weight in water daily, but I was always on the verge of getting a UTI. I would get one any time I had sex with my partner or drank more than one alcoholic beverage in a day.

I was so frustrated and miserable and worried that this was going to be my reality for the rest of my life. It was my partner who actually dug deep on the internet and found D-mannose, which is a sugar that's used to promote a healthy urinary tract. I am not a homeopathic/alternative medicine person, but I was desperate and totally down to try a sugar pill or anything that might help. Apparently the way that the D-mannose sugar molecule is structured, it attracts and bonds really well with the kind of bacteria molecules that grow in your urinary tract and cause the UTI.

D-mannose has changed my life. I think I've gotten an actual UTI once in the last 4 years (and I was in Indonesia). I use it when I think I might feel one coming on, and also as a preventative when I know I'll be drinking a lot or when there will be an extended period of time when I'll be more at risk (e.g. camping). It's mind blowing to me that I suffered for so long and talked to my doctor every 3-4 months to try to figure this out and just kept getting prescribed antibiotics. It was a huge learning moment for me with medicine and doctors. I ask every doctor I see now if they know about D-mannose, and so far no one has.

I can't know if this works for everyone, but I try to share this story with any many women as possible, because D-mannose has helped me get my life back. It's also cheap, you don't need a prescription, and it's on Amazon Prime! (Also in Whole foods for double the price if you're not able to order online -- I haven't seen it anywhere other than health food stores, but hopefully one day). Here's the one that I order: https://smile.amazon.com/NOW-D-Mannose-500-120-Capsules/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NH0N6SBH0MH1&keywords=d-mannose&qid=1556468711&s=gateway&sprefix=d-manno%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-3&th=1

If this helps just one person I'll be happy! Hope the meds you got cleared it up for you :)

Check out the supplement mannose

https://www.amazon.com/NOW-D-Mannose-500-120-Capsules/dp/B000JN4CR0

Just after sex! The research I've read really ranges in dosage, but it can be as effective as antibiotics in some studies! The dosage is pretty high, anywhere from 1.5 grams or more. I've found success with it as a prophylactic at about 2000 mgs (4 of these pills) and that with the anti-inflammatory has literally been life changing for me. It's some sort of sugar that the ecoli in your urinary tract eat or otherwise attach to and it makes them not be able to stick to your insides (very scientific I know, here's more info)

Not to ramble on but I started looking into it around 2016 when I was really desperate and on prophylactic antibiotics that were absolutely destroying my stomach. I found one study that said it worked in rats and went all in and I have never looked back. I tell everyone I know with UTI's about it!

Have you tried different antibiotics? Example- from Macrobid to Keflex?

I have found out that when i touch myself while my partner and i are being intimate, I tend to be prone to getting a UTI. Now, i dont "assist" unless we are straight from the shower, with clean everything. Also, I began taking these, 3 every morning, 1 after each time we make love:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_W04RYSZ0PNJF743H72P1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I finished that bottle and i didn't develop a UTI at all, for the first time in 1 decade! Now I'm trying these just to see if there is more of a difference:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q3SSRGW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_KCNJCG28V95AF6CG7M4Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I also began drinking an apple cider vinegar mixture once or twice per day. 1 & 1/2 shots of ACV, cold water, a splash of cranberry concentrate, a sqeeze of lemon and a turn of sea salt. (At night sometimes I add 1 & 1/2 shots of tequila). I no longer drink beer or wine...just clear liquor :'(

Also......maybe unrelated.....but BV gives me the EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS as a UTI. Foul smell, burning sensation relieved by peeing, bloated. For 6 months i was on macrobid because my urine samples were coming back positive. But it ended up being that i didnt have a UTI at all. I then took flagyl for 7 days, 2 pills of diflucan during that and inserting boric acid suppositories all at the same time that everything finally cleared up for me.

Really, it kind of sucks I have to make all of these lifestyle changes. I so wish i could be as free and relaxed as (i assume??) plenty of women do. I don't imagine many people having to deal with the same amount of gynecological problems for their entire lives. I wonder how women handled this back when medicine was not as advanced.

I have researched this subject up and down. D-mannose helps me, I brought this powder form but there are also pills: NOW Foods Supplements, D-Mannose 500 mg, Non-GMO Project Verified, Healthy Urinary Tract, 120 Veg Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_EYDQ3HM102S5BM3S1RBZ

For the science nerds:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7024335/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27424995/

I think the only real advice here would be to go talk to a doctor if you believe there may be an issue instead of internet strangers that can't offer real medical advice.

In my experience from my itching would mean a yeast infection, and burning (especially while urinating) would mean a UTI.

You can also get over the counter tests for infections at CVS or wallgteena such as the following two tests.

https://www.cvs.com/shop/cvs-health-feminine-screening-kit-for-vaginal-infections-prodid-917719

https://www.cvs.com/shop/azo-urinary-tract-infection-uti-test-strips-clinically-tested-3ct-prodid-758375

Here is some good info on how to avoid future yeast infections https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/10-ways-to-prevent-yeast-infections

Here is some info on how to avoid future UTIs. https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/avoid-uti

Beyond the webmd info. My partner and I found that if you have recurrent issues with UTIs the following prevention works well. D-Mannose twice a day (once in the morning and once at night). Taking a probiotic with lactobacillus to help reduce vaginal pH also helps prevent e-coli from infecting the area causing a UTI. (E-coli need a high ph environment to thrive). My partner specifically uses ladybugs probiotic from ora (linked below).

https://shop.ora.organic/products/probiotics-for-women

Also here is some D-Mannose: https://www.amazon.com/NOW-D-Mannose-500-120-Capsules/dp/B000JN4CR0

If you're sexually active, then sperm is typically a high ph and make you more prone to UTI due to the increased pH environment. My partner uses the following from good clean love after to help reduce the pH preventing a UTI infection after sex every time. Good clean love also has a bunch of other good products too. https://goodcleanlove.com/products/restore-moisturizing-vaginal-gel?variant=40302557331640&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwq9mLBhB2EiwAuY...

Also peeing after sex everytime, drinking lots of water, eating healthy, exercising and other things can help a lot for your sexual health too.

My partner and I are fortunate to be less experienced with yeast infections.

I hope this is all helpful and you feel better soon!

https://www.amazon.com/NOW-D-Mannose-500-120-Capsules/dp/B000JN4CR0

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For the 10% of women that get UTIs every time they have sex and have to take antibiotics multiple times of year.... D-Mannose is the game changer.

D-Mannose before and after sex.

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https://www.amazon.com/NOW-D-Mannose-500-120-Capsules/dp/B000JN4CR0

Oh I’m so sorry you’re going through this! If you have a UTI infection that’s culturing positive, I recommend the Reddit sub r/CUTI. I was told by my doctor that due to recurrent UTI it wasn’t good for me to be in the bath, as the bacteria that’s on your skin its then able to get in your urinary tract — you don’t want your foot or butt germs to be in the same water as you if you’re already prone to infections, and maybe sitting on the shower floor isn’t sterile enough for what you need right now. I don’t think the heat itself is a problem but having a stream of water on your crotch could potentially push bacteria up into your urethra.

In terms of preventative measures, my doctor also said no thongs or tampons, as they can be like a tight rope for the bacteria to waltz across. I’m sure you probably know about D-Mannose already, but if your original UTI was e. Coli based and you’re not already taking it, I very much suggest taking 3 pills (1.5g) 3 times a day. I also recommend an anti microbial regiment, 2-3 times per day. You should take a specific probiotic that can battle the E. coli effectively and repopulate your microbiome—the one pasted below has a specific strain that’s very important to urinary health. I know it’s expensive but that price is for a three month supply. Always give enough time between a probiotic and an antimicrobial, so the good bacteria don’t get wiped out. Here are the brands I use:

NOW Supplements, D-Mannose 500 mg, Non-GMO Project Verified, Healthy Urinary Tract*, 120 Veg Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_A2n6EbZF22VJE

Fem-Dophilus, 5 Billion Organisms Per Cap, Supports Vaginal and Urinary Tract Health, 60 Count (Cool Ship, Pack of 3) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GL252S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KaDFFb4VAAWP3

Zane Hellas Oregano Oil https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HGFG9M3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZXn6EbYD4NT6K

Kyolic Garlic Formula https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00012NGIA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NYn6Eb0Y2WC6J

i'm not an expert, i've only had my skyla for ~3 weeks! and had one before this but had to remove it because it was sitting too low in my uterus.

spotting and/or discharge seems to be common with IUDs, and can last for up to 6 months. with both of my skylas, i've experienced some very painful cramping, especially close to and during my period. this is totally normal - but if it gets worse or unbearable, definitely see your gyno/provider.

as for the BV, i've heard IUDs can cause or make BV more likely to occur. you might have to do an little more research on that part! i would just call your gyno if you have any issues or concerns.

i have heard that probiotics can REALLY help with BV. also, another possible option is "D-mannose" which can also possibly help with IUD/birth control related infections & UTIs, you can look into that too! best of luck :)

some links for these supplements/probiotics:

NOW Supplements, D-Mannose 500 mg https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_f7fwFb0TP32M6

AZO Complete Feminine Balance Daily Probiotics for Women - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074BLLV81/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8-fwFbFWFSJS3

1 BEST Probiotic Supplement - 900 BILLION CFU Probiotics - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L3JTHME/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8.fwFbHH1TW39

I get mine off of amazon, I get these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JN4CR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_j.QtFb7D6EVQ5

From wikipedia: " Mannose, packaged as the nutritional supplement "d-mannose", is a sugar monomer of the aldohexose series of carbohydrates. Mannose is a C-2 epimer of glucose. Mannose is important in human metabolism, especially in the glycosylation of certain proteins."

Click here: D-Mannose

Basically, you can take it in either capsule form, or powder form. While it's technically a sugar, it does wonders in the urinary tract/bladder. If I recall correctly, they think that it prevents the bacteria from grabbing on to the bladder lining, so you're able to finally get rid of it. Something like that.

It worked so much better than cranberry, for me. Apparently d-mannose is the active ingredient in cranberry juice? So, why not just take it straight, instead?

I don't usually link Mercola as I think he's pretty quacky, but all of this sounds right.