Medications may be required if self-management or lifestyle changes are inadequate to control the infections. Common medications are antibiotics, probiotics, cranberry extracts, topical estrogen cream/pessary for postmenopausal females.
Antibiotic strategies:
- Self-diagnosis and self-treatment (self-start treatment)
- Post-coital prophylaxis if UTI is brought on by sexual intercourse
- Continuous low-dose antimicrobial prophylaxis
Your Urologist will advise you if any of the above strategy is suitable. You will be counselled on the benefits and risks of each strategy.
Probiotics, cranberry extracts
These are health supplements that may be useful in preventing UTIs in otherwise healthy individuals.
Topical estrogen cream
For postmenopausal females, we may recommend topical estrogen cream/pessary if you have dry or thin genitals. Topical estrogen therapy improves the tissue quality of the genitalia region and can prevent UTIs and relieve some symptoms such as pain on urination.
Intravesical therapy
For patients with severe, recurrent infections with previous failed treatments, we may suggest intravesical therapy of hyaluronic acid. You will usually require a few sessions, performed weekly, to see the benefits of the treatment.
Living with recurrent UTIs
Although UTIs are usually not life-threatening for healthy individuals, they may have a negative impact on the patients' quality of life. For older, immunocompromised patients, a severe episode of UTI can be life-threatening. Quality of life involves both physical and psychological health. It is important not only to feel healthy but also to feel free from the psychological pressure of living with UTI symptoms.
Seek help if the symptoms are bothering you. You can gain control of the condition simply by recognising and seeking treatment.