Many women turn to the Web for health information (as you are right now!), and as much as there is great information online, there are quite a bit of myths and misconceptions that travel around like wildfire, too!

We aren’t about to tackle all of them, of course, but we would like to get into some of the more common ones that have to do with urinary tract infections (UTIs)…and there are plenty. We tapped into one of our experts, Larrian Gillespie, former urologist and author of You Don’t Have to Live with Cystitis, to address some of the more common UTI myths she hears about…so she can set the record straight.

Myth: Cranberries cure urinary tract infections (UTIs).

While cranberries in the form of juice or supplements may help prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract (by making the urine more acidic), they will not relieve the pain and have little effect on killing bacteria once you get a urinary tract infection (UTI). In fact, ingesting cranberries while you have an infection may actually make urination more uncomfortable (even more burning) because they can make the urine more acidic. It is best to pass on cranberries once an infection is present. And, if you do drink a lot of cranberry juice to help in the prevention urinary tract infections (UTIs), make sure it is 100% natural juice and not jam-packed with sugar.

Myth: UTIs are caused by sex.

Sexual activity, itself, does not lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI). However, sex can easily introduce bacteria into the female urethra and bladder, which for some women on certain types of birth control or those who have issues with urinating properly, can increase the chance of a urinary tract infection (UTI), even if they have sex only once. If you have a strong stream of urine, it will naturally wash away bacteria in the urinary tract.

Myth: My urinary tract infection (UTI) should go away on its own.

While a urinary tract infection (UTI) may seem to subside on its own or from taking an over-the-counter product to manage it, this infection requires a visit to the doctor for a urine culture to confirm a diagnosis and a prescription antibiotic (provided by your doc) to completely eradicate the bacterial infection. So while waiting to see the doctor, you can alleviate the infection’s painful symptoms by taking Cystex® Urinary Pain Relief Tablets, which are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies nationwide. Cystex® is the only non-prescription medication formulated with both a pain relieving analgesic and an antibacterial agent, methenamine, which helps stop the progression of a UTI infection by reducing bacterial overgrowth.

The Cystex® Ladies Room, a new blog designed for women seeking up-to-date information about managing and preventing urinary tract infections (UTI’s), is delighted to introduce our two noted medical advisors who will help answer UTI-related questions, dispel common myths and more. These experts have treated thousands of female patients for their urinary health disorders and are authors of two of the only consumer-oriented books on urinary tract health.

Elizabeth Kavaler, M.D., is a board-certified urologist practicing in New York City. Dr. Kavaler is one of only 500 American female physicians specializing in urological disorders in women. She is also the author of A Seat in the Aisle (Copernicus Books, 2006), a consumer-friendly book that has helped many women to better understand their urinary tract disorders and learn when to seek help from their physicians.

Larrian Gillespie, a former retired Beverly Hills urologist, is recognized as a pioneer in the area of female pelvic pain. Gillespie has been leading a national health initiative in educating women on urinary tract health with her best-selling book, You Don’t Have to Live With Cystitis (Quill).

Both of these medical experts are thrilled to be a part of this new online community that Cystex® has created and look forward to helping answer any questions you may have about urinary tract infections (UTI).

Please note: These experts are providing advice and opinion for informational purposes only, which should not be construed as a formal medical diagnosis by a physician. The experts and DSE Healthcare, maker of the Cystex® brand, urge you to speak with your own physician for proper diagnosis and treatment of any medical conditions.