@drmaryclaire: Recurrent UTIs that never resolve are one of the most common stories I hear, and one of the most misdiagnosed. New research in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, reported by NPR this morning: in 253 women carrying a recurrent UTI diagnosis, only 15 percent had a problem limited to the bladder. The rest had hormonally driven vulvar inflammation, pelvic floor dysfunction, or both. Important context: this was a specialty referral population, meaning antibiotics had already failed these women. The finding is not that UTIs are imaginary. The finding is that when antibiotics keep failing, nobody is examining the vulva. Clinical observation, not statistic: in my own practice, the women who cycle through antibiotics for years are almost always the women whose vulvar tissue has never been looked at. Three questions for your next appointment: Was my urine CULTURE positive, or only my urinalysis? Has my vulvar tissue and pelvic floor been examined? Am I a candidate for vaginal estrogen or DHEA? If you have fever, flank pain, or you feel truly sick, that is a different situation. Get seen. Source: Uloko et al., The Journal of Sexual Medicine, via NPR, Aug 31 2026.
The 'Pause Life
Region: US
Monday 31 August 2026 21:10:51 GMT
Music
Download
Comments
user4317846259683 :
UTI psychosis, it real!
2026-09-01 22:07:58
0
Jenny :
Me 😳 hrt fixed it
2026-09-01 22:50:08
0
eyballard :
That is my story. Recurrent UTI’s for a couple years and finally got some estradiol and it is saving me!!
2026-08-31 21:19:15
45
userabc123 :
D-Mannose
2026-08-31 22:51:57
12
EarthmanMMisonebigstupiddope :
My mom had 3 years of UTI’s treated multiple times with antibiotics…..but no further testing. It was cancer and her bladder had to be removed. Horrible healthcare for the elderly and for women.
2026-09-01 01:00:30
17
cluttercorequeen :
I went to the same OBGYN for MONTHS. In so much pelvic pain. She kept putting me on antibiotics. I argued with her and said it felt like something else. She dismissed me. I finally got in with a gynourologist - and she put me in vaginal estrogen. Pain gone in 2 weeks. Hasn’t come back.
2026-09-01 03:55:54
10
Kate Ganshirt :
Had it for 4 months it was Costco toilet paper
2026-09-01 19:21:11
0
whatever 😉 :
I believe my Estradiol has helped a lot with IC (interstitial cystitis) symptoms too.
2026-08-31 23:25:59
10
Change is good :
I have been trying to get my mom help with this and the doctors wouldn't prescribe the vaginal estrogen and when they finally did it was only a week I'm still working on it but my mom gets tired and stops asking.
2026-09-01 19:26:13
1
tulipsnroses :
Wouldn’t they test to confirm infection?
2026-09-01 06:22:20
2
Alice Moreau Faul :
UTI one week before every period. Got on HRT, much better now
2026-09-01 01:40:55
5
toricolemcneal :
I have stinky urine first thing in the morning….Like very foul. What will help that? That then turns in to a UTI. I know immediately when it comes on due to the stinky urine.
2026-08-31 23:03:55
0
Michelle | Home & Beauty Finds :
My oncologist won’t let me use topical estrogen due to ER positive breast cancer in the past. Will this always be the case?
2026-09-01 04:00:15
1
Carmen :
Can perimenopause cause this, not just post menopause?
2026-08-31 21:20:51
2
Rayleigh :
Why are we always inflamed!!!??
2026-09-01 03:17:13
2
Forever.Brooklyn.Girl :
Can I get this over the counter? Thank you for sharing. This makes so much sense now.
2026-09-01 03:40:32
0
Amanda Carroll :
If I’m taking oral estrogen, could I still benefit from adding vaginal estrogen? I’ve had a dozen bladder and vaginal reconstruction surgeries.
2026-08-31 22:26:29
3
kelly - pt :
that was me. thanks
2026-09-01 08:59:11
1
Nikki R :
Then what do you do? Tell us. Other than telling us to go to another doctor. What’s that doctor gonna say? What’s the treatment? Thank you 🙏
2026-09-01 01:52:29
0
Carereeeee :
This just happened to me…all UTI symptoms and no bacteria. Pelvic floor dysfunction
2026-08-31 23:40:12
2
tashaandromo12 :
But some bacteria doesn’t show
2026-08-31 23:03:26
0
Momma bear :
I’ve had uti issues since my 20s from sex with my husband. Been married for 29 years
2026-08-31 22:53:59
1
cora25va :
That cream does wonders 🙏 thank to my Dr. my symptoms are controlled.
2026-08-31 23:34:53
1
Stephanie :
As I’ve listening to you and have become more educated I’m just so curious if my IC diagnosis is really the reason. The urogynecologist I see has prescribed vaginal estrogen so here’s to hoping. Thank you for the lessons, truly. My girls are sick of me talking to them about it. I consider that a win 😂
2026-09-01 12:03:01
2
Catherine Darsey :
I wonder if that's what had been happening to my mother, 78 year old. For 3 years now about every 6 weeks she tests positive for "UTI", but none of the antibiotics they constantly give her work.
2026-09-01 03:15:39
1
To see more videos from user @drmaryclaire, please go to the Tikwm
homepage.