I've been reading the questions on Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and I have some great advice to offer. I am a female that at one time in my life had a UTI almost Every Single Month. The tests showed common E. coli. bacteria, which it was clear came from the anus... Even though I didn't have anal sex, I showered regularly, and I never wiped but washed myself down there after going to the bathroom — I still kept getting these E. coli. in my urinary tract!! Numerous times I've been on antibiotics, drank cranberry juice every day, had radiology exam for infection, peed after intercourse — none gave any permanent solutions. My next decision was washing thoroughly with soap and water all the area between my legs — before and after sex. It worked like Magic!!! Bacteria are very, very small — and even if you think you are clean down there because you've washed perhaps a couple hours ago — it is always good to wash right before/after intercourse. After I've established this washing protocol, I had UTIs only when I was too lazy/tired to wash myself before and after, or if I skipped the soap. And that's my success story in conquering the UTIs.

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Dear Alice,

I had the same issue for months, but it was only mildly irritating and always seemed to occur after oral sex or intercourse. My partner and I took steps to ensure we were extra clean before and after play time, but I kept getting the symptoms on a monthly basis.

It started to get really bad, lasting for days, and once I realized I was passing a little blood in my urine, I went to my gynecologist. All we were able to do is determine is that I didn't have a UTI, STD or vaginal bacterial infection. She recommended I eat, exercise, and sleep better to boost my immune system, and if I ever saw blood again, to see a urologist.

I never did see the urologist because at the same time I switched from BC pills to an IUD and the episodes never came back. I don't know if it was a cyclical thing that was remedied by stopping the pill, or the change in my lifestyle habits, or both.

I hope my experience can help others figure out what's going on with them and what may help. I know it can be terribly frustrating and scary!