#recurrentuti

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DISCLAMER: consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you're seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. The information I'm sharing is what I did to sucessfuly erradicate my Candida health problem, doesn't mean it will work for anyone else and shouldn't be taken as a medical or health advice of any sort. This blog is for entertainment purposes only, so I am simply sharing what I did that worked for me, in the spirits of hopefully inspire people to find help for this problem if they suffer from it.

I had recurrent vaginal Candida. No wonder, a decade+ of infections, a period of chronic symptoms, and loads of antibiotic use... Sometimes I’d go for a good while without symptoms, other times it would be non-stop every month, or every 15 days...Until one day, and despite not having any vaginal symptoms whatsoever, and on a longer course of antibiotics…it did end up in my bladder. I had no idea of what was going on, thought it was bacterial and not responding to antibiotics for months - I had a year of pure hell, bladder wise. I must add that, honestly, with time, most of the times I had Candida, I didn't have all of the typical symptoms. Sometimes I'd have little to almost no symtoms, others, no vaginal symptoms at all - but my bladder would signal it, and it's similar to a UTI, in varying degrees, minus the burning at the end of the wee, for me.

It took me quite a long time and research and being open to new stuff to effectively get rid of it and its recurrences, and I was forced to do a 180º turn when it comes vaginal health – and gut health, because it’s all related. I used to treat it with creams alone but ended up in a vicious (and dangerous) path of recurrence, needing creams all the time, and taking Fluconazole like its candy it's definitely not the way to go. Like antibiotics, the more you take it the more depleted you'll be of good yeasts (that help fight it) and the more open to resistance you'll be left (01).

Having this said, if you see yourself in a similar situation, I encourage anyone to go do a vaginal swab as soon as you can, because it can be yeast or BV, or something else! And if it is yeast, it’s important to know which yeast specifically. I'll just say Fluconazole doesn't treat every yeast out there, and you can have C. Albicans, but it can be C. Glabrata, or any other. Self-medication can be dangerous with these things and so I really urge anyone to go check that as fast as possible. Don’t let problems down there fester for long because sooner or later it can all end up in the bladder… IF it was yeast: The gyno would either give me either an appropriate cream and/or an appropriate antifungal, and with plenty of recurrences I'd be put on longer doses, but I'm aware that this approach wasn't curing the root cause of the problem nor avoiding it’s recurrence… (as we’ve all seen that’s what happens to our bacteria in the bladder…) and that was the only thing I did, so I was open to more problems and the vicious cycle continued and dependence on these creams/pills is horrible. As we all know, antibiotic overuse makes our vaginal flora go wild and depleted of good bugs, and these things happen: yeast, bacteria and or even virus have a free pass to grow (HPV in my case) because defenses are completely shut down. And then whatever overgrows here, can go to our bladders. Those 2 holes work in synchronicity (actually, the 3rd one also does…the gut). So it’s important to not only kill what’s down there causing havoc, but also give back, nurture it with what’s missing. To understand this and a lot more, I REALLY encourage anyone to listen and follow this brilliant doctor (women’s health advocate): 1st - “Vaginal Ecology: How to Keep Things Healthy Down There” --Read: https://avivaromm.com/vaginal-ecology-down-there/ --Spotify (same): Episode 64 – Natural MD Radio (it’s her podcast). 2nd - “Preventing & Treating Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Naturally” -- Read: https://avivaromm.com/prevent-treat-bacterial-vaginosis/ -- Spotify: Episode 70 – “Bacterial Vaginosis: What’s a gal to do?” – Natural MD Radio There are others on Cervical Health, hormones, HPV and more, but for yeast/BV related info, these 2 are a must just to start. On both of those she shares protocols of what to do, take, supplement and insert. I listened to both regardless of what I had (BV/yeast) because found important to learn to notice the differences and understand my body. What I did/do to (successfully!) prevent yeast from causing me problems is grounded on her Vaginal Ecology protocol, although not only, as you will be able to tell if you consult the links I've shared: • Not being afraid of adding a probiotic enriched natural yogurt locally and internally at night when things were particularly itchy, and use it for days (it helps “kill” whilst “giving back”); Some anti-fungal creams come with applicators - saved those, disinfected them properly, and used them with the yogurt. Used old panties at night :p I just did this in the beggining of my "kick-candida-out-journey". • Banished sugar 100%. For 6 months at least after the last recurrence (as strongly adviced). No, not even that small piece of cake in a b-day party or whatever. No, not that small cookie. No, no cereals with sugar – whatsoever. Zero!! I found this to be FUNDAMENTAL if not the most important thing of this list - to not ever feed it’s growth in the first place/help meds work faster. Sugar is food for them. (And for bacteria too, even if we don't feel any differences, bladder wise). Starved them! Cutted down also on particularly sugary fruits and was careful with too many carbohydrates, the digestive system breaks down the digestible ones into sugar also. *gut applauses* • I take orally Optibac for Women with those 2 very important strains daily (that she mentions, not only her but other sources): Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. There’s also Fem Dophilus for this and also RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic Supplement for Women. • I insert the Optibac ones

(vagina), with only these 2 strains in particular. I used them once a week but it was too much for me*, so I now use them once a month only. With time, in my country, I found an over the counter one with these 2 strains specifically, to be used internally - but for quite some time I used just the Optibac ones internally, had no problem. • Kept them on rotation with another amazing strain, for internal use only, L. Crispatus, as she mentions (not only her but many other sources). This is actually a very important strain, for many things vaginally. I use Physioflor. (example, once a month: Friday: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14. Saturday: L. Crispatus) *NOTE: the overuse of vaginal probiotics can develop cytolytic vaginosis (aka too many lactobacilli). I do this only once a month, learned from trial and error, but found these probiotics to be very helpful for me. Read the disclamer of this post. • Kept the PH of the vagina consistently low: daily. I don’t use boric acid, I find it violent - less alone on a daily basis; If you can tolerate it, great! It can be very useful for C. Glabrata (02). I personally use Lactic Acid almost daily now (the acid Lactobacillus produce anyway, so it’s a natural acid already present on our vagina (03)); I’m currently using Papilocare that has it, but that’s because I’m fighting HPV since last year, otherwise it’s a generic one with lactic acid only over the counter. • I ate Garlic - around 4 to 6 cloves, every day. Didn’t rely on supplements alone. Got creative, ate them always after/with a meal, but just found ways to eat them. Took a good garlic supplement anyway for a boost (Allimax Pro). What I'm looking after here, is the Allicin in garlic (04). • I took Caprylic Acid as supplement also (several brands do it) to help kill yeast at the source of the problem also (gut). Caprylic Acid is found in coconut oil and is a natural antifungal/antimicrobial. I also used pure organic coconut oil as a cream just outside when things got itchy during the day. Although they weren't itchy all the times I had candida, for sure. • Bio-Kult Candea is well known for this; it has Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN54, which it’s different from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 (the most researched). I took it for little time as I unfortunately can't tolerate the other (any) lactobacillus mixes of probiotic supplements. • Now - Candida Support – with herbs that help kill it/degrade it’s population, over time, in the gut also. A definite helper!

• Tea Tree suppositories: Helps kill harmful bacteria/fungi; Used it here and there and then continued with the low Ph stuff daily + the other probiotics; I come back to these once in a while. • Ate a bunch of parsley every day – antimicrobial (even for the bladder). Came up with a daily GREEN smoothie that I like – low on very sugary fruits – and chop a cup of parsley and add it to the mix. It’s also good for the bladder as it’s an antimicrobial “wash” of sorts, I feel. • Payed attention to my menstrual cycle and noted any changes for the better or worse during the month (this alone would be another subject !). • Last but not least, got aware of any potential supplements I was taking that were a yeast trigger. For me, it’s clearly iron and other minerals. Pathogenic bacteria/fungi compete with the host for iron, and in my case (not everyone though, surely) it was a big big trigger for bladder fungal infections, specifically. __________________________________________________ Of Note: Every time I would feel sugar cravings, it’s the fungi/bacteria asking for food, making the host crave those (me). They’re literally trying to survive. It’s actually well-known now by gastroenterologists that sugar cravings are a form of dysbiosis (gut imbalance). In those moments, I give them the precise opposite of what they are asking, by eating LOADS of greens. Good green smoothies with celery, that parsley, etc. With time – months – the cravings went away. I eat loads of greens every day, and if not, I always find time to do that green smoothie (every week at the grocery I buy the things I need for making them during the week, it’s a habit now and I actually love them now!). Doing my own research while looking for products I found great suppositories /more good stuff, but this would turn to be too lengthy and overwhelming. And what I shared is the bulk of it. Gut health was key. This took me time but granted lasting success so far!! And it’s what I do now, and I will continue to do until I’m at least 6 months free of any antibiotic. I just hope one day I can share my sucess story regarding the bladder... So, if you're reading this and can somehow relate, know that there is hope, but go get a vaginal swab for starters! And a fungal urine culture ON TOP when it comes to UTI bladder symptoms, don't ever rule out yeast as a small thing, even when the vaginal swab comes clear (mine did at some point and I had it in my bladder!). But be ware these can come up as negative or mixed flora on regular cultures.

This last month it feels like time has stopped. So slow... But my bladder has been ok. The good part: I am able to eat oranges and the occasional glass of wine, and I feel nothing in my bladder. Yay! The not so good part: I took one single probiotic (random mixes of lactobacillus) weeks ago, and my bladder instantly reacted - urgency and frequency. Weeing a few drops but feeling bladder fullness. Lingering irritation. Lasted 48h total...Just like before fulguration. Still haven’t tried sex and I still won’t do it for the next month, it’s a huge trigger and I’m in no condition whatsoever of having to take a single post coital antibiotic let alone risk an infection. I wish I felt confident I could do it and risk it, but I’m not there yet. I kept talking my teas and avoiding stress as much as possible (last post). And I’ve returned to my yoga practice. My gut was a disaster during Christmas and NYE, and not because I changed my diet but because I was still dealing with the consequences of the last antibiotic course I took back when I had an acute enterococcus UTI at week 5-6 post-fulguration. Blood in stools again, mucus, yellow greasy stools, and ofc, diarrhea. I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was to sleep. I’ve been better these last couple of weeks and so is my gut but I still have a long way to go. As I’ve tried to update in the Ig stories I’ve also been having consults, from internal medicine (with extensive stool tests and lab work) but I’m still waiting for results as some labs take weeks to process. The integrative gyno consult was amazing, and my vaginal flora was also tested extensively (also waiting for results). I went to my first TCM consult ever, and had the weirdest reaction to the first couple of needles that he put somewhere in my belly: my kidneys instantly hurt! So, so weird. Got this sharp pain and then a dull pain that lasted a couple of hours after the acupuncture session. Brought further bespoke herbals to take (gut+bladder). I’ll continue with the sessions and phytotherapy for 2 months. I have a gut-focused nutritionist next week. All of this combined is expensive, plus the supplements and herbs, etc. Maybe one day I’ll do a separate post on what I took/am taking and what I think worked or not. I’m keeping my mind open and I am very much willing to do everything in my power to help my bladder, gut, and reproductive health. I believe I have to tackle all 3 at the same time, because they’re all connected. Wish I could do a more in depth post about results etc., but this is all taking forever. I have to be patient. But I am however celebrating this post with an orange for desert, and I can’t tell you how much I missed oranges. So, “an orange to that”🥂.

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So, it’s been 3 months. Bladder wise, I am UTI free, only noticing before my period slight vaginal flora changes that give me some bladder discomfort - just like before fulguration. And that’s something I’ve been dealing with for a while, not new. I haven’t tried any of my previous bladder triggers: sex, alcohol, generic lactobacillus probiotic mixes, orange juice/vit C, wine, some B vitamins, iron & other minerals. So, the only UTI I had was at week 6, and after a diarrhea (something that would also give me a UTI in the past).

What has been considerably worse since my last UTI, is my gut. It’s a mess and I’m on the process of figuring out how to deal with it. I’ve been refused stool testing (including testing for C. Diff,). Random lactobacillus probiotic mixes are out of the question as they give me UTIs, besides horrible SIBO (which I never ever have otherwise), terrible brain fog (lactic acidosis), bloating, and even more gut problems. I’ve been taking spore based probiotics that I’ve been fine with and S.Boulardii, but that’s just been avoiding the diarrhea - my stools are still visibly mess. But I won’t go into detail about this because it might be TMI for some. Point being: it hasn’t been easy to tackle the gut and book specialist appointments (the ones that deal with this are so overbooked I’m being forced to wait for months). Gastroenterologists have been useless, did 2 colonoscopies (inconclusive) but still refuse stool tests and give me zero advice besides “do yoga” (which coincidently I already do), eat "healthy" (duh!) and take the probiotics I can’t take. I'll be testing for C.Diff soon, out of pocket. Yes, it’s maddening. Don’t understand why I have UTIs on random mixes of lactobacillus/bifidum bacteria probiotics - no doctor does. But apparently (except for those with SIBO/lactobacillus overgrowth) everyone is able to take them in this community. So don’t worry about probiotics making your bladder worse, it seems to be something very particular to my situation. Spore based ones are 100% ok for me and do their job. Just haven’t been enough. Diet hasn’t been enough. Miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, etc., bone broth, collagen.. I'll keep at them. Any ideas? Shoot, I've been researching alone for a long time, but I'm all ears. My hair is falling for 7months now. Iron is low. Can’t risk taking it because in the past I’ve always had (raging!) bladder (fungal) infections on them*. (*If you didn’t know: Iron feeds bacteria, if you have them even embedded, etc. They compete with the host for iron).

Next steps: 4th January - new internist (and insist on comprehensive stool tests, if not, will pay out of pocket) 19th January - Integrative gyno (See how my HPV is, tackle vaginal flora, periods, discuss pregnancy options/prices if I still can’t have sex - I’m 36); 10th February - Gut focused nutritionist, that works with stool tests. After March: as soon as an opening comes (THAT overbooked), functional medicine doctor.

So.. bladder wise I’m ok - but so have I been in the past if I had no sex and kept avoiding all bladder irritants, and drank my teas. And I’ll have to keep doing that (and living like a nun) because I’m in no condition whatsoever of risking a UTI and having to take more antibiotics.

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So, 8 weeks have passed since fulguration. As I was warned, and as I wrote in the previous post, I could have a couple of UTIs during the healing period - not to freak out about them. However, having an acute UTI for me is precisely the sort of thing that will always freak me out, they’re my problem after all, and not only the infection itself, but the cascade of side effects I get from antibiotics now, and the exhaustion I feel for a couple weeks after them (at least). For more details, see post 02. I’ll mention my “expectations” regarding fulguration at the end of the post!

I had an acute UTI during week 6 (1,5months). So, instead of a huge text post, I prefer visuals - hopefully it will give you a more concise picture of how things went. I’ll let you be the judge of what might have triggered the acute UTI I ended up having:

Bam. Post diarrhea UTIs are now a staple for me (hello IBS induced by too many antibiotics). I felt so so stupid for not having taken S.Boulardii more rigorously for the previous weeks...Was it the sugar that led to a vaginal change, again, as in the past? (Haven’t eaten any sugar in almost 6months). Was it the stressful day on top of the sugar intake previously? Was it the sugar that rushed the dysbiosis and ended up in a diarrhea 6 days later? The perfect storm: stress, sugar and diarrhea, on top of apainful bladder after the scab came off? What I do know is: I tend to have UTIs after diarrhea. So I should have known better, and try to prevent them more actively.

It was a mess: couldn’t culture, was out of town (precisely! they always choose the perfect days to come!) although I did my best to try and get a culture before starting antibiotics. Felt horrible, on top of a recently fulgurated bladder. Cried. I cried afraid fulguration didn’t help at all, despite me trying to keep my expectations neutral so far and not think about it too much; I cried because I was already bloating by the hour again on antibiotics, my energy was going down, fatigue settled, and the symptoms didn’t improve much even on antibiotics - until I managed to switch antibiotics - I very very probably had enterococcus faecalis as I always do after diarrhea. My gut was a mess, had blood in the stools again after the last few months being ok; had it continued and I would have been to the ER, although I know it’s not C.Diff, but inflamed gut mucosa. Ate plain boiled rice for days. Started, obviously, max dose of S. Boulardii and even now I'm still taking 1 every day. Then period came and this time my cramps were super painful - I didn’t find it odd at all considering everything. But because of my gut I don’t take any ibuprofen or similar, so I had to endure them. By the 5th day, last day of my period I was so dizzy. Honestly the entire week and a half was a nightmare and I was home alone precisely that week - which ended up being the best thing because this way no one saw how I looked. BUT with the same emphasis, I can now say I am very happy it all subsided. And my bladder for the first time since the procedure feels like nothing happened in there. Zero soreness near the 8th week mark/2 months! *fingers crossed*

Went to another urologist and gastro doc, to no real benefit at all. Have a functional nutritionist booked and an Integrative Gyno (both only in January) and still on the waiting list to a funcional medicine doc late April next year. Every other doctor so far, (conventional) didn’t help at all when it comes to my gut and honestly urologists didn’t either. I still rely on my internist doctor who is the one who does prescribe me 8day courses of the abx I respond best to, and actually believes what I say I feel. Which is a rarity when it comes to being heard about anything down there (sorry if any doctor reads this, but it is my experience). So, I’m keeping up with my usual care, now doubled when it comes to gut - no diarrhea, that’s “guaranteed”. And added a few more things to my “regimen”. Hope I can say next month: no UTIs!

Finally, I feel I need to write this. It’s about Expectations: For many with an embedded/chronic infection and 24/7 symptoms, talking about “success” with fulguration means : the stopping of the constant symptoms. In conjunction or not with continuous antibiotic therapy. And then managing to avoid UTIs by continuing to take post coital antibiotics (for example) for some time at least, or Hiprex for those who tolerate it ; Or nothing! And although I’ve been there, with symptoms 24/7 (post 02.), I can’t do antibiotics like that anymore. I can’t do any of that, hence fulguration (Post 03). My gut is very damaged, plus I do have permanent side effects - It’s been 11years after all. For me, success with fulguration will have to mean less acute/recurrent UTIs, so I can avoid antibiotics as if they’re the plague (because they are to me now) especially after intercourse, but not only. Already 10 years of intimate life were ruined. I’ll maybe write a post about that one day even - the perverse side of rUTIs.

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Fastest post ever: I'm doing OK!

Continuing to take the best care possible on a daily basis, and trying (to my best ability) to avoid an acute UTI. Looking back now the worst/more sore period was definitely the 1st week post op; although very much still sensitive during the 2nd week; bladder soreness and occasional pinching went down significantly during the 3rd week, but basically uti-symptoms free. I did not have the shedding or discomfort that is normal to occur during weeks 3 or 4. I was also told this was a possibility - to feel normal. It was my case. However I know I’ve got a long long period of recovery still ahead, and things can change at any month - Although I’m really hoping I remain stable.

My gut only started to calm down week 3 after the procedure (antibiotics) and with a lot of work on my part. Tinnitus is pretty much the same (not great) and the odd bump below one knee I mentioned last post, that came out of nowhere the next day after the procedure, is still here and hurting. Bladder wise, I am 100% symptoms free, like nothing happened - clear urine. Ok, occasionally I’ll see this ridiculous little white bits of skin but really small and I feel nothing. But for example, I don’t use tampons anymore (they’re not uti-friendly) but I do use vaginal probiotics, and when inserting those (sorry TMI), I can clearly feel the bladder: it gets physically uncomfortable/sore. Even the urethra! So, many months of recovery for sure. I’ll do an update by the end of the 2nd month!

❦ Here I am, 2 weeks later :) If you’re not in the mood to read a long post but still want to get an idea, literally read the highlighted parts only!

I'll advise anyone to see the fulguration video to get a better picture of what was found - not sure I can post it here, it's a bit graphic, so I uploaded to Ig @ "the_uti_archives". But overall, I had leukoplakia, calcifications, a weird looking 'pocket' of some sort of infected tissue, and glomerulations. It’s been 2 weeks since I had fulguration, and overall, so far so good.

But here's a more detailed version of how things went: • First 2 nights my bladder physically hurt. Nothing unbearable, but enough not to let me fall asleep easily or I'd wake up when changing position; • For the first 5 days, I had strong kidney pains. Nothing new to me, so I wasn’t “scared”. During the day they were manageable, but at night were much worse, and the main culprit for not letting me fall sleep/sleep well. They gradually subsided, and I was back to normal after. • I had and still have increased frequency, that got a little worse, specially during the first week. I do drink 2L/day and of course that justifies some of it. I have Frequency, but not Urgency. Before fulguration I’d usually go about 15x/day to the toilet (for the past few years). I slowly got used to it, even without active flares. Now it’s just a few times more. I don’t usually wake up at night though, and the first week I had several nights waking up at least once to go to the toilet - by the 2nd week I was ok at night. But I feel confident that it will slowly subside too, in fact I think I am already better.

• Things are sore down there, bladder wise, so it's only natural to feel uncomfortable if I try to walk normally and move around much. I practice yoga, for example, but I'm not getting near the mat anytime soon, as I can feel that the bladder doesn't like to be "shaken around" now. In fact, for the first week I'd walk really slowly, avoiding "hitting" the floor with my feet (hard to articulate in a second language!). It's normal, and I know this will pass, and in fact, by day 10 after the procedure, I was less sore and able to do groceries (like an old lady though!) • Peeing was more uncomfortable in the first week than the second, as things felt more "raw". Although there are definitely times when things feel stingy/raw even now! But for me, as I didn't go with an active infection, it's way more manageable than a UTI. And as soon as I finish, the bladder is 100% comfortable. No lingering symptoms whatsoever (ok, just the overall soreness, but that's nothing). • I rested, A LOT. Took a week off work after coming from Turkey and I'm very glad I did it (these 2 weeks were literally all the vacation time I had this year, yay!). These were the main things I felt during the first 2 weeks that are directly related to the bladder/urinary system alone. No need to read more if anyone with recurrent UTI's sees this in the future and is looking for examples of progression of weekly symptoms (note this is my personal experience and things can be wildly different for everyone, especially for those who undergo fulguration with active symptoms).

However, I come with a heavy baggage when it comes to antibiotics and gut issues - and not only (post 02). And of course a week's worth of them after the procedure left my gut in a very messy state. Besides the gut, my tinnitus skyrocketed (as expected) and then I had a few more odd symptoms, that so far I don't know anyone else who had them post-op: what it looked like sore glands or lymph nodes in particular points in my jaw that lasted for a few days (gone, I'm Ok), lungs/rib cage hurting around day 5 for a few hours (probably anesthesia? Gone, I'm Ok), and the weirdest: some sort of structural change in a bone below my knee! Looks like the bone grew a "pea" - a painful hard bump. Inflammation is real people, the body always finds a way to unload some of it somewhere and get you even more problems. I'm tired of doctors, so I'm just giving myself time to see if this subsides or if it is weirdly connected to some very specific hip joint pain I've had for almost a year now, that curiously also gets way worse around infections (=inflammatory states). You do learn to be suspicious and on the lookout after a few years with any chronic problem.

Anyway... Bloated to the moon and back and unable to take probiotic supplements (the "why" is on post 03.) was definitively the worst collateral damage. Going to the toilet hasn't been pleasant, especially the first week. But I was mentally prepared for this, and I think all the right food and all the preparation I did months before fulguration paid off, because I've had much worse IBS crisis in the past. And my gut didn't bleed this time, yay! The only probiotic supplements I can tolerate now are Optibac for Women with just those 2 (very important) strains. And also, my dear good yeast-friend, Saccharomyces Boulardii (no diarrhea, and helps e.coli numbers down in the gut). No yogurt with added probiotics or Kefir either. Only naturally fermented foods like pickles, miso, etc. Which is good, but very little in comparison to what I needed. I'll have to give it a few good months to see if I can try to incorporate them slowly, and iron too, that I am so desperately needing, and see if they don't cause me neither a bacterial or a fungal infection anymore (post 03).

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I'm a bit hesitant in writing about this as it can be a controversial topic for some. I do not discourage nor endorse any treatment - how could I, I'm not a specialist - but I do think there definitly isn't one-approach fits all.

This is a long and over 10y+ process, so as you can imagine, no one jumps to this mindlessly. But if I had to say the number one reason why I chose fulguration at this point is: because I no longer tolerate a single antibiotic (literally). Period. Not prophylactically, and not after an infection, where I do have to take them, and even less long-term continuous therapy. Secondly, also haven’t been successful with other approaches, for these past few years, which I’ll might talk about one day.

(On Antibiotics) — The adverse effects of antibiotics are now such, that it takes me almost 2 months to get back to decent (not high!) levels of energy and focus to work, and to go to a toilet in relative peace. I will emphasize, though, that this was one of the pivotal moments for me: when I developed IBS symptoms and later started bleeding from my gut. When you look at your toilet and see blood like you're on your period, but it's coming from your insides, after taking so many antibiotics, you are forced to look to what are you doing to your body, because it's screaming back at you. And this wasn't the only side effect and I was eventually 'forbidden' by the gastroenterologist to take them - please read "02.My history".

(On probiotics) — And then "you must take probiotics". And I did. Result? I developed other digestive problems on top of IBS problems that fired through the roof. The fun part? Random probiotic mixes will make my bladder start to shed and end up in an acute UTI in no time. Yes, (most) probiotics now trigger me an acute UTI. Because my gut flora is now extremely poor, I have to cherry pick those I can take - and it's an almost impossible task. We all have very different bodies and reactions - and, possibly, "cures".

(Other intolerances) — I also don't tolerate: anything acidic, from oranges to wine; Buffered Vit C; B6; Iron; Other minerals in supplements. Acidic stuff will make me shed and lead to a UTI, just like probiotics; Iron and other Minerals give me a fungal infection in my bladder. I’m on the alkaline “team”. Also, I wasn't always like this, this started to happen after years and years of infections.

(On Alternative solutions) — On this topic, I did try and still do try lots of other things - but I'll leave that for another post (maybe, because it's exhausting). I will say, though, that it's been a while since I started to incorporate loads of things to avoid UTIs after sex, and none worked so far. None. Not to say there isn't more to try - because there is.

We are infinitely complex in our own bodies, with an extremely complex condition in it of itself - one that hasn't been taken seriously for decades, and it is on the rise, alongside with antibiotic resistance. We are all different, and so react differently, to everything, really.