I'm nearly 23 and I have been suffering from UTIs for the past four years. There is hardly a week that goes by without experiencing dark and cloudy urine, sharp pain at the end of my urethra, extreme pressure within my bladder, and burning, I also suffer from cold sweats, and occasionally there is blood. I've had kidney scans, numerous rounds of antibiotics, I've been to a urologist, who inserted a camera into my bladder, yet nothing has been found as to why I am so prone to infections. I've given up caffeine and sweets; I've limited my alcohol intake as well. I pee after sex and try to shower before and after, but I definitely think sex triggers it. The worst part is that I've lost partial control of my bladder and end up peeing myself from time to time, which is humiliating. In the past, I've been prescribed doxycycline and erythromycin for my skin, both of which have kept my UTIs at bay. I am just about to start on minocycline for my skin, which is also used to treat UTIs. However, I can't be prescribed these forever.

If any of you are experiencing frequent UTI symptoms ask your physician about Interstitial Cystitis. This is a condition that affects the lining of the bladder and urethra causing similar, and sometimes frequent, UTI symptoms. Your doctor should send your urine to the lab for a urine culture to definitively rule out a bacterial infection (UTI) first. Many times women and men are treated for a UTI just because they have blood in their urine. However, having blood in the urine (in the absence of bacterial or white blood cells) does not necessarily mean you have a UTI.

Spasms after urination that are painful. Cramping with blood. Last night the pain (cramping)woke me up, and when I went to the bathroom to urinate the urine was dark red. I had to take a pain pill and was finally able to go back to sleep. Again when I woke up, my urine was dark red with blood clots. I have urgency throughout the day with blood every time I urinate, but is usually pink not dark red. I had a hysterectomy when I was 36 and have already been through menopause.

I've been getting UTI's since I was 15 years old, and it usually occurs after intercourse or when I drink too much soft drinks/sugary liquids. I used to get them once or twice every month and now it's about once every couple of months (which I'm so happy about!). Anyway, I chug at least 2 liters of water, pop 2 extra strength Tylenol and bam! The symptoms are gone within 20 minutes to half hour. I visited the doctor for UTI's about 2 times and since I discovered a quick, easy way to beat this horrible thing I didn't need to rush for some relief, thank god. I'm currently 20 years old, and what I do to relieve UTI's works for me. I haven't had any severe symptoms occur or any symptoms of Kidney stones or Kidney disease doing this.

I am 53 years old and am having my first UTI. My urethra feels constantly irritated. I tried to take Phenazopyrid, which helped the pain, but made me vomit so I am stuck with just Tylenol. Since I have had chronic sinus infections, I am scared my UTI may not be treated because I may be immune to certain antibiotics. I have been on Levaquin for 2 days now and still have irritated urethra.

I have had recurrent UTIs for about 10 years. I can get them about every fortnight. Cranberry doesn't help, have spent hundreds on this. I have been taking Macrodantin for 2 months lately, no UTIs, nice for a change but obviously can't take these forever (Dr prescribed this as I was on antibiotics so often he's trying a lengthy course just so I can have a break from UTIs). My doctor suggested shower urethra area before and after intercourse (just water, no soaps), not spontaneous but has helped. Also cotton tampons, most on the market are Rayon. I try to have intercourse in the morning so I can guzzle water for the rest of the day and flush bladder. If I do it before bedtime and only urinate once I usually can be guaranteed of waking up at 3am with UTI. Also a personal lubricant made from Kiwi fruit plant is really good. Hope some tips help. Reassured I'm not the only lady who experiences this. As I've read in other posts here, this can really get you down and affect your relationship and make you anxious.