We are really excited to share this information with you. Below is a list of the top questions we’ve received via our “Ask the Urologist” online feature.  If you have a question about UTIs that you’d like to see answered, visit the Cystex Know Your Bladder Better “Ask the Urologist” form page and send it in. Thank you for your support!

 

Q- I have Interstitial Cystitis. I need something that will help with frequency of urination, mostly at night, along with bladder pain, would Cystex work for that also?

 

A- Interstitial Cystitis can be difficult to treat but there are many different options to help relieve both the frequency of urination and the pelvic pain. Cystex may help relieve the symptoms, and it has many fewer side effects than many of the medications that are prescribed by physicians. It is certainly worth a try, and it is safe.

 

Q – I get a UTI almost every time I have intercourse. I’ve tried taking precautions, but nothing seems to work. I try to go to the bathroom afterwards, but that doesn’t always work and I usually don’t have to go. Will taking Cystex help to prevent an infection?

 

A – Many women have the same problem. The bacteria come from your own body, so your partner is not the source of the infections.

 

Cystex may help in prevention. If you feel you are prone to UTIs, speak to your physician about taking Cystex before activities that may irritate the urethral area, such as sexual activity. For more information about the connection between Sex and UTIs click here or visit the Cystex video library.

 

Q –Can you have sex with a UTI? Or would it harm you further if sexual intercourse was the cause of the UTI you already have?

 

A – You can have sex with a UTI without harming either yourself or your partner. If you are taking Cystex or an antibiotic to manage an infection, you can have sex as well. So, don’t let these infections interfere with your life, if you can help it.

 

Q – Why do I keep getting UTIs one after the other?  What gives?

 

A – Many women have the same problem. If you are prone to UTIs, you should discuss a uroflow exam (which measures the flow and force of your urine stream) with your physician. Ask your physician about going on a low dose of antibiotics every night for three month to completely get rid of the infection. Sometimes that will kick out the infection and give your immune system a boost. Also, talk to your doctor about taking Cystex as a preventative measure.

 

Q – Does Cystex effect the proficiency of my birth control?

 

A – Cystex will not affect the efficacy of your birth control pill. It is recommended that you talk with your physician about specific medications and their effect on contraception.

 

Q – Can Cystex be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding?

 

A –We do not encourage taking Cystex or any medication, either over-the-counter or prescription while you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless you absolutely need it and your doctor okays it.

 

Q – How long does it take for Cystex to start working?

 

A – It takes about 20 -30 minutes for the pill to start working once it is taken. Some people find that it takes a little longer.

 

Q – Do I still need to see a doctor if my UTI symptoms and pain have subsided since taking Cystex? Can the Cystex completely cure my infection?

 

A – Yes, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Your healthcare provider will take a urine culture so that the proper course of antibiotic therapy may be prescribed to cure the UTI.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note that the new “Ask the Urologist” and Q&A with Dr. Kavaler on the Cystex Web site (www.cystex.com) or other sites associated with the Cystex Web site is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a personal medical diagnosis or formal medical advice. If you have any health questions or concerns, we recommend that you seek medical advice from your physician.

 

Cystex “Know Your Bladder Better” Video Gives the Down Low on the Sex and UTI Connection

 

According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, frequent sexual intercourse (three or more times a week) is associated with a greater risk of UTI compared with less frequent intercourse (less than once a week).

 

“An increase in sexual activity can lead to urinary tract infections and is often referred to as honeymoon cystitis, however, you don’t just get cystitis on your honeymoon,” says Elizabeth Kavaler, M.D., urologist and author of A Seat on the Aisle, Please! The Essential Guide to Urinary Tract Problems in Women (Copernicus Books, 2006). Any boost in the romance department can put you more at risk for a UTI.

 

The increased genital friction can more easily introduce bacteria into the female urethra (leading to the bladder), which for some women who have issues with urinating properly, can increase the chance of getting a UTI.

 

If you think you have a UTI you need to see a physician for proper treatment, but until then there are some things that you can do to ease the pain and keep the infection under control. Dr. Kavaler suggests drinking a lot of water, emptying your bladder frequently, and taking Cystex, an over-the-counter medication that will not only take the pain of the infection away, but it will also slow the reproduction of the bacteria in the bladder until you can see a doctor.

 

Visit www.cystex.com to view the new Cystex “Know Your Bladder Better” video series, including a new video on honeymoon cystitis, or connect with Dr. Kavaler directly by visiting the new interactive “Ask the Urologist” feature to submit an informational question about bladder health

 

Please note that the new “Ask the Urologist” and Q&A with Dr. Kavaler on the Cystex Web site (www.cystex.com) or other sites associated with the Cystex Web site are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a personal medical diagnosis or formal medical advice. If you have any health questions or concerns, we recommend that you seek medical advice from your physician.

I think that I might have a urinary tract infection (UTI). What are the symptoms?

The telltale signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) include frequent urination, urgency to urinate (yet often releasing just a few drops of urine at a time), pain/discomfort in the back or lower abdomen, a burning feeling when urinating or even blood in the urine. If these classic urinary tract infection (UTI) signs are present, it is important to act fast to help alleviate the pain and slow down the progression of the infection until you can set up a doctor appointment. Cystex® Urinary Pain Relief Tablets is a unique over-the-counter urinary tract infection (UTI) medication that is the only one with a dual-action formula that combines pain/burning relief with an antibacterial to help stop the progression of the infection.

I was told that cranberries (in juice or supplement form) can be used to treat a urinary tract infection (UTI). Is this true?

Cranberries in the form of juice or supplements may help aid in the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) because they can help acidify the urine with a natural antiseptic called hippuronic acid, making it harder for bacteria to flourish. However, once a urinary tract infection (UTI) is present, cranberry juice/supplements are not helpful as they are unable to destroy bacteria or decrease pain. Additionally, cranberry-based products tend to make the urine more acidic, therefore, urinary tract infection (UTI) sufferers taking cranberry therapies will experience pain and discomfort while urinating.