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.

In a 2008 survey conducted by Cystex® urinary relief tablets, 70% of women indicated they have walked out of a public restroom without using it because they felt it was “too dirty.”  However, if you squat when you urinate in a public restroom to avoid an infection from the toilet seat, you may actually be doing more harm then good.

According to 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), squatting over the seat can actually prevent the complete emptying of the bladder, which can lead to infection, especially in women who are prone to urinary tract infections(UTIs).

When you squat over the toilet seat, you keep your pelvic muscle contracted, which reduces your ability to empty your bladder completely, as you would be able to if you were sitting and relaxed. When the bladder doesn’t empty completely, the remaining urine can become a breeding-ground for bacteria, which may lead to a UTI. Prevent this by using a toilet seat cover when available or line the seat with toilet paper and take a seat. It’s important to note that you will not catch any infection, including STDs, from sitting on a public toilet seat.

Visit www.cystex.com to view the new Cystex “Know Your Bladder Better” video series 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.

If you’re having difficulties `going with the flow,` you could possibly have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Since your urinary flow or `stream` can be the first indicator of possible medical issues, such as inflammation, it’s important to recognize any changes in your urine stream. A strong, steady, healthy urine flow naturally cleanses the urinary tract and surrounding area of unwanted bacteria each time you urinate. If something is inhibiting normal urination, bacteria can be trapped inside the urinary tract leading to a UTI.

According to 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), there are ways to improve your urine flow strength:

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will increase the flow of urine and help flush out bacteria in the urinary tract.
• Take a “Uroflow” Test: If you suffer from recurrent UTIs or suspect you have a urinary blockage, ask your doctor for a “uroflow” test to assess whether or not you are voiding efficiently.
• Put Down the Heavy Purse: Carrying a heavy backpack, tote or large, filled-to-the-brim pocketbook, no matter how chic and gorgeous it is, can contribute to the development of lordosis (a painful condition that creates pressure on the nerves in the lower back). Back strain in the lower back muscles can actually interfere with urine flow, which can lead to abnormal voiding (urination) and increased presence of bacteria that doesn’t get flushed away…leading to risk for UTIs.

A lesser known symptom of menopause, caused by the extreme decline in estrogen, is the increased risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs). The bladder becomes less elastic, triggering an inability to fully empty, therefore creating a breeding ground for bacteria to multiply. Additionally, the lack of estrogen makes the bladder lining and vaginal tissues more prone to bacterial adherence since there is less protection. These situations set the stage for developing UTIs.

According to Larrian Gillespie, retired urologist and author of the popular book, You Don’t Have to Live with Cystitis (HarperCollins), there are ways to control or prevent the recurrence of UTIs associated with menopause:

• Stay Hydrated: It is imperative to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water which promotes regular urination. This flushes out bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Watch your back: Lower back stress that affects the lower muscles of the back can interfere with the flow of urine, which can lead to abnormal voiding (urination) and UTIs. When exercising, try to maintain good form while lifting weights or on exercise machines to avoid back injury. If you suspect a back problem may be contributing to your UTIs, ask your doctor to give you a “uroflow” exam to assess whether or not you are voiding efficiently.
• Strengthen your core: Often, a lazy bladder (unable to empty urine properly) occurs due to lower back problem, so consider doing exercises to help strengthen your back and stomach muscles. Ask your physician or fitness trainer about which exercises are beneficial to your abs and back.
• Respond to “nature’s call”: It’s always a good idea to urinate as soon as you feel the need in order to eliminate unwanted bacteria. While “holding it in” does not directly cause an infection, it can cause overdistension that can damage the lining of the bladder, making it more vulnerable to bacteria and over time, it may not contract or relax at will.
• Take a vitamin C supplement: Take about 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C throughout the day to help inhibit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine.
• Lubricate: As estrogen declines, vaginal dryness increases.  Make sure to be properly lubricated during sexual activity (use a water-based vaginal lubricant) to decrease friction in the vagina/urethral areas.
• Take an antibacterial: If you are menopausal and prone to UTIs, Gillespie recommends taking Cystex® as a preventative, as it is the only OTC urinary tract medication that contains methenamine, an antibacterial agent that attacks bacteria and helps prevent it from adhering to the cell wall lining of the bladder. Cystex® can be taken before activities or situations that you believe have contributed to urinary tract infections, such as sexual intercourse. If you do develop a UTI, taking Cystex® until you can see the doctor will help keep the infection from progressing and also help with the pain.

Since this blog is about all things “urinary,” let’s talk color. When growing up, you learn that certain objects are distinct colors, such as the sky is blue, grass is green and urine is yellow. However, what does it mean when one day you find your urine to be green, brown, or even blood-tinged? Changes in your urine color can be the first indicator of possible medical issues. Your “pee” can foresee problems that you may have been unaware you have.

Healthy urine should be clear, which is a sign that you’ve been drinking a good amount of liquids and are hydrated and healthy. However, the color of urine is often affected by medication, vitamins, diet, or diseases, such as kidney or liver disorders.

Dark yellow urine is often due to dehydration and not enough liquid consumption, which can be fixed by drinking more liquids. On an average day, we need at least 32 ounces of fluids per day.

Fluorescent yellow or orange urine signifies the consumption of darker colored foods, such as beets and carrots, or too much vitamin C. This can be an early sign of liver dysfunction if the urine consistently stays dark yellow/orange or brownish in color and you are experiencing other symptoms.  (Brown urine, along with other symptoms, can be a sign of a serious condition, such as liver or kidney diseases.)

Green or blue urine is often caused by artificial coloring in foods or drugs (e.g. dyes). Urine that is a brighter green color, however, can also be an indication of an excess of B vitamins.

Murky, cloudy urine can be related to either bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a yeast infection, a bad case of a UTI, kidney stones, or other urinary tract diseases. Other complaints associated with cloudy urine are painful urination, reduced urine outflow and increased urinary frequency.

Blood-tinged or rust-colored urine that is accompanied by pain, burning and frequent urination is most likely a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI). The urine may also be cloudy and/or have an odor. If this is the case, contact your healthcare provider for a urine culture; if you do have a UTI you’ll need a prescription antibiotic medication to clear up the infection. While waiting to see your doctor or for your culture results, which can sometimes take a few days, try Cystex® Urinary Pain Relief Tablets, available over-the-counter at drug stores.

Cystex® is unique in that it not only helps relieve the pain and discomfort of a UTI, but it also contains an antibacterial agent  that helps stop the progression of the infection until your physician puts you on a course of antibiotic medication.

Larrian Gillespie says that any changes in urine color that don’t go away in a few days should be addressed with your healthcare provider.
She also says that the strength of your urine flow is important to pay attention to.

More on that later.

If it seems like you’re getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) whenever you have sex, you’re not alone in thinking this. Truth is, while many women may find themselves in this “boat”, it’s not the size of the wave or the motion of the ocean that causes the UTI. According to urologist Elizabeth Kavaler, MD, size and frequency won’t cause a UTI, but the very nature of sexual intercourse makes it one of the more common causes of bacteria from the anal-vaginal areas getting into the urethra and possibly causing a UTI.

As awful as it might sound, it is perfectly normal for E-coli bacteria to make its way from the anal area to the vaginal area and up the urethra – ending up in your bladder – happens to all women, regardless of how careful you might be. However, normal urination is usually able to purge unwanted bacteria from the bladder. Problems arise when you are dehydrated or have a “weak flow” for some other reason. Sexual activity just ups the anty that more bacteria will make its way into the bladder, causing an infection, if you are not flushing it out the normal way.

So, while it’s not really fact or fiction, if you believe that you are getting UTIs after sexual activity, listen up: a UTI-free sex life is possible, it just takes some planning and preventative measures. And no, it won’t take all the fun out of it! Here are Dr. Kavaler’s tips on how to reduce the risk of getting a UTI after sex:

• Position Matters: It is possible that the missionary position – man on top, woman on bottom – can be causing a problem with excessive rubbing and friction near the urethral opening (that’s because the male partner is riding high on the woman’s pelvis). This awkward alignment might be forcing bacteria into the urethra and resulting in an infection. (Again, if you are urinating properly, any excessive bacteria should be flushed out.)
• Be Aware of Barrier Methods: Some barrier methods of birth control, such as diaphragms, and sponges and spermicidal jellies containing nonoxynol-9, have been implicated in the development of UTIs. Dr. Kavaler suggests using condoms and the birth control pill.
• Get With the Flow: Keep yourself hydrated by drinking four glasses of water a day to improve your “flow.” If you stay hydrated and empty your bladder after sex, you will purge the bladder of any new and unwanted bacteria that made its way into the urethra (and bladder) from sexual activity.
• Preventative Pills: For recurrent UTI sufferers (more than three in one year), Dr. Kavaler recommends talking to your doctor about using prophylactic antibiotics that you take after sexual relations. However, for those who would prefer to not take antibiotics preventatively, she suggests taking the over-the-counter urinary medication Cystex® a few hours before sex. Cystex contains a natural antiseptic ingredient, methenamine, which helps keep bacteria from clinging to the walls of the urinary tract to prevent a UTI from actually occurring. Cystex also contains an analgesic (pain reliever) and can be taken if you do get a UTI. It is the only OTC urinary product that contains this antibacterial agent that helps stop the progression of the infection (while you wait to see your healthcare provider) and possibly act as a preventative.

If you wish to learn more information about the sex and UTI connection, please click here – Burning Love

The Cystex Team has just learned about a Uristat recall. Seems that the product has been voluntarily recalled from major retail chains by the manufacturer. Some retailers are even offering refunds.

For those of you looking for a reliable over-the-counter UTI relief product, we’d like to recommend Cystex® urinary pain tablets for several reasons. First, unlike other brands, Cystex doesn’t turn your urine orange! But even better, while Cystex is an effective analgesic (pain reliever), it has an additional ingredient – methenamine – which is an effective antiseptic, or antibacterial agent, that can help keep a UTI from progressing while you wait to see your healthcare provider (who will treat your infection with a prescription antibiotic, which is necessary to eliminate the urinary tract infection completely). Cystex is the only medication over the counter to do BOTH these things – reduce/relieve pain and stop the progression of the infection.

For more information about how Cystex can be taken to help prevent UTIs, please visit our Web site’s “About Cystex”.

The old adage, “When you gotta go, you gotta go,” couldn’t be truer when it comes to helping to prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI). Because bacteria can replicate more easily in the setting of stagnant urine, the more (and longer) you hold it in, the more at risk you are putting yourself for a painful urinary tract infection (UTI), especially if you are already prone to them. Therefore, it can be helpful to respond to the urge to urinate at least four to six times per day, especially if prone to UTIs. And, remember to take your time and relax so that the bladder has time to empty completely each time.

Of course, it is also difficult to ignore the urgency and frequency that most women experience when they have a UTI. The pain can create tension in the pelvis that may make it difficult to relax and empty completely, as well. If you are experiencing these symptoms and think you have a UTI, drink a lot of water, take Cystex® urinary pain relief tablets (sold over-the-counter at drug stores nationwide) and call your doctor for an appointment. Cystex not only helps relieve the pain and discomfort of a UTI, but unlike other OTC urinary pain products, it can control the progression of the infection until you see your doctor, who will want to confirm the diagnosis of a UTI and treat you with an antibiotic to clear up the infection.

So the next time you really need to go to the bathroom, go with the flow! Don’t hold it in – even if you’re not at home. The Cystex Web site (www.cystex.com) has a public restroom finder (we’ve partnered with the Bathroom Diaries) that lists and rates public bathrooms by cleanliness, accessibility and hours of operation. Be in the know and find out where the best ladies rooms are in your city, so when you “gotta go,” you can.

Cystex® Team Reveals the Contents of the “Bathroom Diaries”

If you’re on this blog, chances are that you’ve had (or have) a urinary tract infection (UTI) and have experienced the pain and discomfort, but also the FREQUENCY (yup, you need to pee!) that typically accompanies this common infection. So it goes without saying that when you have a UTI, you don’t want to be far away from a bathroom.

Yet, even when you don’t have a UTI, when you have to “go,” wherever you might be, you want to quickly find a clean, well-supplied restroom. If you’re a normal, busy woman, you’re likely to find yourself relying on public restrooms on a regular basis. So why do so many of us experience dirty and disgusting bathrooms? Wouldn’t it be nice to flush out the locations of good and clean restrooms in your local area? Or if you have to travel to a new city, know exactly where you can find a pretty potty?

To help women find clean, comfortable, and in some cases, aesthetically-special restrooms, Cystex®, in collaboration with the ‘Bathroom Diaries‘, is providing a “bathroom finder” Web resource that lists them by state/city and offers reviews – in some cases, fairly detailed, including business hours, whether it’s a ladies’ room or unisex, if it has handicap access, is safe and clean, well stocked with the necessities, etc.

So whether you live in Montgomery, AL, or are traveling to Bennington, VT, you’ll find unbiased and informative information on the best public bathrooms to use (and others to avoid at all costs) at the Bathroom Diaries feature on Cystex.com.

The key thing is….just don’t hold it in! Many women don’t realize that urine retention can cause urinary tract problems, including the onset of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Our experts say that habitual urine retention can cause damage to the bladder lining, allowing UTI-causing bacteria to multiply and thrive.

So don’t put your urinary system health at risk, just click here to check out the best bathroom finder feature on Cystex.com, and make your next public restroom experience an enjoyable one! Know before you……..go!