UTIs are weird! It took about two weeks for me to get over it. Cranberry juice kicked the pain. But I still felt that urgency, that pressure, for a whole extra week.
The STIGMA of the UTI has stuck with me even longer.
In "Eat Pray Love," Liz Gilbert gets a UTI in Indonesia. She jokes about it. Because she's banging the hell out of her new boyfriend at the time. She's like: I got a UTI. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
Read up on UTIs. Most websites claim that sexual activity causes UTIs. But not just any kind of sexual activity. It's really dirty sexual activity.
During my week of the burning pee, I asked people why UTIs happen. My mother said, Promiscuity. My brother said, Dirty penises. My Boston-BFF texted me the same thing: Your boyfriend needs to wash his giblets!
Hmph. My boyfriend DOES was his giblets. He showers more than I do, actually.
Do we have a lot of sex?
Um... yeah.
BUT I'm not convinced that's what caused it.
Um... yeah.
BUT I'm not convinced that's what caused it.
In America, we have such a weird perspective on cleanliness.
My brother - who'd kill me for using him as a source - is studying to be a nurse. About bacteria, he says, "It's all over you. You have e coli on you right now. Problems happen when you get the right bacteria in the right place."
http://nodovisual.netToilets
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Light switches
Keyboards
Cell phones
Door knobs
Money
Maybe I woke up to pee in the middle of the night. Maybe I sat down on a toilet seat kinda sloppily. Maybe my bottom hit an area that hadn't been cleaned properly. Maybe I flushed the toilet and a little dirty water splashed back up on me.Bathrooms
Kitchens
Light switches
Keyboards
Cell phones
Door knobs
Money
Those damn public toilets with their vigorous flushing!
I'm not the only one that's happened to, right?
I'm not the only one that's happened to, right?
The point is - there are many possibilities of how I got my UTI.
The truth is - I am not afraid of germs. I'm pro-germs. I don't carry sanitizer. I like the idea of building up my natural antibodies.
Also - I don't like to waste water. (As an old school writer, I waste enough paper as it is.) I shower once a day. If I'm not going out, and I haven't been to the gym, I don't shower at all. It's very feasible that I gave myself the UTI.
There's also the issue of HYDRATION.
www.soccer-fans-info.com
Step back in time with me for a sec. Let's look at the day BEFORE I got the UTI.
Regardless - by the end of week two - I was super paranoid to mention anything to anyone about my UTI. I don't like feeling that way. It's wrong to assume shit about people. I don't appreciate people assuming shit about me. I definitely don't like people assuming shit about my boyfriend.
http://www.cinemoi.tv
That said - Thanks to all my homies who offered support and treatments! It made me feel so much better to know I wasn't alone! Thank you so much!
This last one is the best reminder. It's why we do what we do. Because we love and care about our bodies.
Janis Joplin said it best - "You are all you've got."
The truth is - I am not afraid of germs. I'm pro-germs. I don't carry sanitizer. I like the idea of building up my natural antibodies.
Also - I don't like to waste water. (As an old school writer, I waste enough paper as it is.) I shower once a day. If I'm not going out, and I haven't been to the gym, I don't shower at all. It's very feasible that I gave myself the UTI.
Why do people always assume UTIs are sex-related?
We live in a dirty world!
We live in a dirty world!
There's also the issue of HYDRATION.
www.soccer-fans-info.com- It was my last day teaching this six-week long accelerated summer program in Philly.
- We spent the morning at school.
- We spent the afternoon at the Franklin Institute.
- We spent the evening at a symposium.
- The day was hot. The day started at 9 am. It ended at 6.
- Because we were busy, I drank only two 12-ounce bottles of water all day.
- That's NOTHING.
When we don't hydrate ourselves, we don't flush out our systems. Bacteria gets stuck. We get sick. That's how colds and flus happen. Maybe that's how UTIs happen too.
We don't live in the dark ages anymore.
We understand how sickness happens.
Anyone can get a UTI -
Not just "ladies who walk the night!"
We understand how sickness happens.
Anyone can get a UTI -
Not just "ladies who walk the night!"
http://www.cinemoi.tvAlways pee after sex - says Witchy, Carbzy, Sax, and Eimear.
Averie says try D-Mannose. It's like gallons of cranberry juice in one pill!
Jess ended up with a UTI one night, unable to get to a store. She took baking soda in hot water. It worked wonders!
On the subject of antibiotics, Heather pointed out that infections gotta stop somehow! Great point, Heather!
If you are allergic to antibiotics, like the lovely Sax, there are good home remedies. Her favorite is cranberry juice with apple cider vinegar, honey, water, and raw crushed garlic.
Ameena keeps her UTIs at bay by drinking Trader Joe's cranberry juice in water every morning. That's my favorite too, Ameena!
Suki - who's blog is so diverse and fun - pointed out that just because you get a UTI once, it doesn't mean you'll get them forever.
Drea and Witchy gave great comfort lists! They included: bubble baths, pool time, reading, massages, painting, BBC comedies, and cooking. I agree, Witchy - Nothing better than an afternoon with Stephen Fry or the IT Crowd!
Kelli said that she loves herself by being herself. She says: "No matter how weird or awkward I feel sometimes, I love my nerdy self!"
This last one is the best reminder. It's why we do what we do. Because we love and care about our bodies.
Janis Joplin said it best - "You are all you've got."
Toots
What social stigmas get on your nerves?
Anyone ever assume anything negative about you?
How did you deal?
How do you combat germs? Are you packin' sanitizer?
Or are you more "whatev" like me?
What social stigmas get on your nerves?
Anyone ever assume anything negative about you?
How did you deal?
How do you combat germs? Are you packin' sanitizer?
Or are you more "whatev" like me?
Posts
19 comments:
Hooray for you, girlene! Just because a UTI is in residence, it does NOT mean it got there by bootylicious means.
As far as our toots, the social stigma/assumption I deal with whenever I leave my cave are related to my appearance. 1. I walk with a cane/use a wheelchair, and a LOT of folks assume I'm faking it due to my age, and 2. I happen to be pierced & tatted up, which another LOT of folks assume means I'm a trashy welfare leech.
I don't always deal well, but when I do it is because I remember that They Do Not Know Me! And that they pooped their pants when they were a baby. That one always makes me chuckle.
I do carry sanitizer, but only use it if I've been eating outside and cannot wash my hands of whatever stickiness I've managed to acquire. I wash 'em a lot when home, but we have a cat and I have allergies, so I do what is necessary.
Here's to booty, cranberries and the BBC!
I'm glad you are feeling better and I totally get what you are saying about the stigma sticking around.
I used to be a germaphobe but having a kid made me realize that I had to give it up. At least most of the time because otherwise Maya won't be able to develop an immune system! I put the hand sanitizer down and let her eat off the floor with dirty hands. And guess what? My kid is RARELY sick!
I will not let her sit on a public toilet though...she has mastered the art of hovering.
Glad to hear you're feeling better.
I don't carry sanitiser either. I'm more scared of my weakening my immune system by not letting anything get near it (and ending up with more allergies/intolerances).
I laughed out loud at the giblets thing! There's a line in Blackadder where menbits are referred to as the last turkey in the shop- your BFF must be watching too much British black humour!
I must admit to thinking UTI=sex. It's how I got my (suspected) one. But your brother's bang on the money, germs are there all the time, it's pure luck that they land on one's unfortunate body part at the wrong time. Hope you stay UTI free! Nasty things.
One can only deduce from the time spent on denial in this post that dirty sex MUST have been the reason! j/k ;) ;)
Isn't it quite true that the female urethra is quite a bit shorter than the male urethra, though I am not sure if this really plays much part in a UTI... I just remember when I was little we were helping a woman who had been in a car wreck. One day after bringing over some groceries. She mentioned to my mom that she had a UTI and it was super painful, then she mentioned the female urethra being shorter, kind of out of the blue. I wonder if she was trying to deflect any stigma or maybe she just wanted to spread facts. It'd be pretty hard to believe she was doing nasty sex due to the foam collar she had around her neck, the cast on her legs and the fact she had to use crutches to get anywhere.
There are quite a few forceful toilets out there. Do not yawn while flushing a high powered toilet... :| Also the automatic toilets can be really frustrating. A) How do I flush this thing manually to get rid of the a remnants of a double flusher when the previous user only single flushed. B) Why does this thing keep flushing right as I am sitting down damnit!!?
I keep trying to email people responses, but it just ain't workin'. :(
Witchy - I have a friend who also needs either a scooter or cane to get around... she gets the same crap from people, because she is young. She's gotten yelled at for having a handicapped sticker on her car. It's ridiculous. I can't believe how horrible people can be. Maybe horrible's not the right word. Idiotic, maybe?
Ameena - Hovering is an art!!! Ha! Yeah seeing my goddaughter really woke me up to the inevitability of germs. She scrubs the walls with her toothbrush and then sticks it in her mouth. Her mom and I just laugh. Whaddya gonna do? Ha!
Eimear - I LOVE Blackadder! I also love your commitment to the natural lifestyle. You are so hardcore, girlie!
DigestionBlog - hahahaha ;) Hilarious! Seriously though - how horrible are those automatic toilets? I've seen them flushing and flushing and flushing, and every time it's gallons of water going to waste. The yuppie germaphobes beat us naturalists out on that one.
I get UTIs every so often, and they do seem to accompany a lack of fluid intake, so I'm more prone to that theory! Anywho, glad you are feeling better. As far as cleanliness, I guess I'm a bit of a dirty bird like you - so no hand sanitizer for me, I don't even wash my hands all that often, I do shower once a day after working out to avoid BO :) I agree that germs have a place in our lives, they aren't all bad - a lot of scientists theorize that children are becoming more sickly because parents focus too much on cleanliness, kids need to have contact with germs to build up their immunity systems.
Ashlie-Thanks for saying that! I read all over that lack of hydration is a big cause. Glad (sort of!) to hear that your experiences have been similar.
Yay for building up our antibodies!
I had to come back because while using the bathroom today memories suddenly came flooding back. The woman who was in the car wreck had a bladder infection, NOT a UTI. This makes more sense now why she told us & it also sounds a lot worse than UTI, despite a UTI sounding horrible...
Glad you're feeling better! I for one have not had a UTI, but I've had a few random infections, like a spot on my thigh that just appeared one day. I hear ya about the hand sanitizer though. I'm all about building and keeping my own antibodies. In fact, my antibodies are pretty ass kicking. I rarely ever get sick, and this is coming from someone who doesn't have the best diet, nor ever drinks enough water. I dunno, I think I just picked my nose and ate it too much when I was a kid.
But anyway, with antibiotics, it seems like we take them only as a precaution. Infections can sort themselves out, but we don't know how long it will take or whether it will spread so, "Here's some penicillin and call it day!" I did get a wicked sinus infection when I was England. I had a proper toothache, headache, sinus pain, big yellow green snot globs and that cold wind? Ooooh boy! However, due to the requirement of having to jump through travel medical insurance hoops, I was hesitant to go. I was in pain for about a week, but just kept popping that ibuprofen and blowing my nose. After a week I noticed the pain going away and that was that. No attempt at making any at home remedies, just some pain killers and kleenex. It makes me wonder, though, whether or not I will ever one again since I gave my body the best opportunity to fight the infection off itself. I know all about bacteria and the types because I'm in health care as well, but I wonder if my sinuses are now well protected.
J.e.s.s.i.c.a. - I've heard similar stories about England! Something about that place brings the snot out of everyone! Ha! :)
I think I've only had like one or two UTIs - ever. I'm not one to use hand sanitizer. I do wash my hands frequently, but not obsessively. Just when I go to the restroom and throughout the cooking process (cause you kinda have to - especially if you're like me and use your hands as utensils to mix things like burger meat and such). But I am not a germophobe. Hate those super-flushing toilets too!
Great post, Farty! Love the UTI reflections, and thanks for the summary of treatments at the end.
I'm somewhat of a germaphobe, but I try to remind myself that, along the lines of what you said, exposure to germs builds antibodies and makes your immune system stronger. I just don't like being sneezed on or sharing drinks with people... or having to touch random patrons' used dishes at the restaurant, ugh.
great post and it's just a simple issue of bacteria getting in the wrong hole :)
little girls get uti's, that have nothing to do with sex. my childhood best friend got them alot, it was just the way she was. I got ear infections. they happen, not just to those who are sexually active.
And social stigmas...
that all vegans are hippy's or hardcore
that all yogis are dirty and sit around and meditate all day
that all moms drive soccer teams around in their minivans.
yeah, none of those would apply to me but people think they do :)
Hey Farty Girl, your brother's right about getting the right bacteria in the right place. It can happen very easily-not just from dirty sex either.
You know, a lot of people (girls) get them from a mistake they're making and not realizing. You know, when one does a #2, 'most' go in from the back with the t.p. & clean from front to back, right? Sounds good and it is. The mistake comes with the #1. Many, without realizing it or thinking about it, just come in from the front with the t.p. and bring it forward. No bueno! Some of that t.p. touches the bottom and brings it/bacteria onto the you know what (smile).
I'm not accusing you of this;)! However, a lot people do it, so just in case...
p.s. Cranactin in addition to a real 100% pungent, sour cranberry shot or two a day will most likely clean you out with the addition of enough water intake.
Hope you feel better soon. Oh, and I have a post on UTI's-it's listed in my sidebar under 'scary tings' if you haven't read enough about this already. Sounds like you have though (smile)...
As you know, I have been a longtime sufferer of the dreaded UTI. Before I knew what was causing this chronic condition, I had to go to different doctors over those 20 years before my diagnosis. I had to hear different theories as to the cause of my frequent UTIs from those docs, family and some well-intentioned friends.
The one I was asked often that bothered me the most was this: "Are you wiping yourself correctly?"
Apparently, it is a common assumption that most girls get UTIs from wiping back to front instead of the more hygenic front to back. I hated that. Of course, I know how to wipe myself!
The sex related UTI questions didn't bother me as much. However, that is probably because I usually would get a UTI if I had sex more than a couple times a week. Prior to having a kid, as a preventive measure, I used to have to take an antibiotic after everytime I had sex!
As my ob/gyn (who precribed the antibiotic) said, sex can cause UTIs. It is all a matter of bacteria. Since the urethra is close to the vaginal opening, some unintended bacteria can get pushed into our urethra with the friction of sex. It doesn't mean you or your partner are dirty. We all have bacteria on and in our bodies. While some of that bacteria may chill unnoticed on the skin, it can irritate inside our bodies. Peeing after sex helps flush some of it out of your urethra.
Don't be embarrassed when you if or when you get your next UTI. Think of it as an unfortunate side effect to an awesome night with your man.
And next time, if you want any non-medicinal symptoms relievers, I have a few up my sleeve that I'd be happy to share! :)
This is what I get for posting my comment before reading everyone else's comments. You pretty much heard everything I wrote already! Oh, well. :)
You know I'm paranoid about taking medicine. Even when it is something I need, it takes me days (sometimes weeks) to work myself up to the point to take it.
Every time that I did not take an antibiotic for a UTI, it spread to my kidneys. Kidney infections suck.... bad. The memories I have of being in the hospital hooked up to IVs (because I let UTIs get out of hand) have convinced me to take all my antibiotics when I get UTIs now.
That being said, cranberries are a WONDERFUL addition to antibiotics. Those berries are awesome UTI-fighting agents! :)
Thanks for stopping by - glad you liked the kale chips. Most batches come out almost as good, but that batch was awesome PLUS i was able to take a good picture. kale chips are hard to photograph LOL.
Fact is, we may not want to hear it but e. coli comes from your butt!
So, any time you give the bacteria an opportunity to move forward along your perineum and into your urethra, you can set yourself up for an infection.
A strong flow of urine will help flush that bacteria out.
Cranberry juice makes the insider of the urethra slippery and less able to hold on to the little buggers.
I like Angela Kilmartin's book on cystitis, sexual cystitis and interstitial cystitis: http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/02923.htm
She talks a good deal about flushing the perineum front to back with lots of water after sex and, if you need to, also after a bowel movement. If you have recurrent problems these measures are definitely worth considering!
I used to get UTIs every time I had sex. Since the bottle washing, never. I do still have Interstitial Cystitis, a chronic bladder disease, but no more UTIs to make it worse!
A Urinary Tract Infection is almost always caused by bacteria, in particular e-coli, which lives normally in the gut and is present around the anus (from bowel movements) but can also be caused by a fungal infection such as Candida albicans. Bacteria cause infection in 2 ways: they release toxins that harm the body cells and they provoke the immune system which leads to inflammation, which in itself can be harmful and uncomfortable for the sufferer.
Urinary tract infection home remedy for prevention of UTI's is successful and many people have stayed urinary tract infection free by just a slight change in habits
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