Suceptibility to UTI is a common problem among those having IC. From my experience this is a sub-type of IC category. In those having this problem, typically the treatment for the UTIs were a big part of what led to having the IC because obviously the treatment for the infections is traditional antibiotics. That gets further complicated by treatments for fungal infections in the aftermath of the infections and thus the cycle becomes even more interwoven.

First, I wanted to say, even if you have never had IC in your life-there is nothing like washing after sex! This is a good standard protocol regardless. However, this practice is often not the issue in those having chronic infections. When one looks into the history of someone who is getting chronic UTIs-the possibilities are numerous and often include, diets that are higher in sugar or carbs eventually leading to gastrointestinal bloating, constipation or alternating constipation and diarrhea, chemical birth control, "substance abuse" such as alcohol (especially beer), marijuana, etc..., vegetarianism with heavy use of soy and fungal foods such as mushrooms, certain types of medications most especially benzodiazepines and the repeated unecessary use of antibiotics, or a relationship with a sexual partner whos body is altered in any of these ways. These are the most common. Such things often set the body imbalance into motion and one thing leads to another ultimately culminating into the IC itself.

When one recognizes the symptoms as they start, the ultimate culmination into IC can be avoided. However, how would one know it was coming? This is the difficult thing. This is where educating the young is more and more important so that this dreadful condition may be avoided in the future.

When a person comes into the clinic with this kind of history, we know it is going to take some time for treatment to stop the onset of these infections even if that person is getting better in between. The damage to the body's eco system is always greatly imbalanced by the administration of these repeated antibiotics over time. So the goal is often to control infections from happening in the acute-as in when the person is having sex and to deal with the underlying issues that caused the vulnerability to have them repeatedly in the first place.

I have read many research articles that point to various bacteria sticking to the bladder wall, and this being the problem, but, I do not think this is the issue or at least it is not where the issue begins. In my opinion, this is stemming from the imbalance in the small intestine leaching into the lymph and ultimately the lymph is what is greatly affected which culminates into chronic issues. This is why so many chronic ailments cross over with IC such as vulvadynia, fibromyalgia, migraines, GERD, etc...

I dont' think trying to isolate one type of bacteria is wise either as these organisms often exist in biofilms and protect one another from being killed. It is working on the body as a whole that becomes very important in these kinds of health challenges and trying to address it from all angles siumulataneously. And, as diet is carefully changed and proper supplementation is taken, slowly the internal eco system is changed, the infection will stop occuring. That said, if the culprit was the sexual partner transferring imbalanced organisms through contact, that person should be treated as well!

In the old days UTIs occuring between sexual partners used to be referred to as honeymoon cystitis-or an allergy. Hopefully as time moves on, these ideas will be dismissed, I think in some medical offices they are still sayings that have life. But, in my opinion, they are completely off track and with more education chronic UTIs and IC will become a thing of the past.

Dr.M