Chloé has a demanding job and a busy social life… but also recurring urinary tract infections that are very difficult to cope with on a daily basis.
It is one of the most common bacterial infections in the world. It is estimated that one in two women will have at least one episode of cystitis during their lifetime. At 34, Chloé has lost count.I started having cystitis during my higher education, in my twenties. At first, I had one or two infections a year, it was still “playable”. But for a few years now, the cystitis has become more and more frequent and I have an attack almost every 2 to 3 months, or at least 5 or 6 a year.“, she tells us. If we do the math,”I must be on my 60th…”
This young woman, an epicurean and party girl, is not the type to mope around. However, “I’m not going to lie, It’s ruining my life. When I have an attack, my mind is only focused on my pain. I have a hard time concentrating on anything else. I feel like going to the bathroom all the time but I can’t hold it in. And when I find a bathroom, I can stay there. countless hoursbecause I often bleed continuously, which hurts a lot“.
“I always have my antibiotics with me”
Although (very) painful, urinary tract infections remain a “taboo” subject like many problems related to pelvic and intimate health. However, it handicaps all areas of life: social, romantic and professional.When I have seizures, It paralyzes meI can’t do anything anymore. So I have to adapt my life according to them: I have to start working from home because I am unable to go there at these times. I have to stay at home, near the toilet. And when I’m out of the house, traveling or on the move, I never go out without my antibiotics. The problem is that they don’t provide immediate relief. It only gets better after 2-3 days.“.
Chloe is fine with it because for the moment, it seems to be working for her.”I’m so used to taking them that now I ask my doctor to write me prescriptions in advance so that I never run out.“. A temporary solution that is difficult to sustain in the long term. As a reminder, antibiotics are the first-line treatment for cystitis. The problem is that‘they weaken the intestinal and vaginal florawhich promotes digestive system disorders, diarrhea, nausea, redness on the skin, or kidney dysfunction.Antibiotics prescribed by my doctor are particularly strong. It is a mixture of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin®). But sometimes it is out of stock. Otherwise, I take cranberry juice cures as a preventative measure, but the effectiveness remains very limited compared to the recurrence and intensity of my infections.” she continues.
“Experts don’t know why”
Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that enter the body and settle in the urinary tract. Most commonly, these are bacteria from the “Escherichia coli” family that normally reside in the intestinal microbiota and, for an often unknown reason, migrate to the bladder and cause inflammation.I went to see a urology specialist who told me that I wasn’t the only woman who gets cystitis so frequently, without really knowing why I’m so susceptible to infections because I drink a lot of water and I follow all the prevention rules. If one day I get cystitis every month, according to him, I’ll have to take a course of antibiotics for a month to try to eradicate the infection once and for all. But that’s without taking into account the side effects that scare me and that I want to avoid as much as possible.“. The risk of complications from recurrent cystitis should also not be overlooked: pyelonephritisa serious kidney infection.
“I have learned to live with it on a daily basis, it is part of my life and my organization and I hope that one day, it will eventually stop. The urologist apparently told me that getting pregnant could prevent cystitis in the future. It remains to be seen whether he is telling the truth, but for the moment, I am not of that mindset. Maybe one day, the future will tell me.” she concludes optimistically.