I was miserable for more than three years with bladder or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Finally I had a bladder scope and the urologist pronounced me normal. "You probably have interstitial cystitis**" she concluded and gave me a paper suggesting I eliminate a long list of irritating foods and beverages. No follow up needed.
Our grandmother Hazel Child used to say the smallest morsel of pepper would cause a UTI. She went on to have multiple UTIs with incontinence and cognitive decline. It was the same for our mother.
Defeated and discouraged I asked my physician assistant what I might do. "Well" she said, "you could try vaginal estrogen." I filled the prescription that day and my life changed. I haven't had another UTI for more than five years. The dryness and discomfort of sex also went away.
Since then, I've suggested vaginal estrogen to many women--family and friends. When they asked their health care provider for a prescription, they were all told it would probably be helpful and it was. Research is scant in this area. Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is recruiting women to study UTIs and vaginal estrogen in women over 55.
Ten percent of women over 65 have a bladder infection every year. For the rest of our lives, it is the most common bacterial infection we will experience.
Some studies suggest estrogen helps good bacteria grow in the vagina and bladder leaving less opportunity for infections. Estrogen may also thicken the wall of the bladder making it more resilient. The lining of the vagina also becomes healthier.
Vaginal estrogen has a very low risk of causing cancer. It may further lessen urinary incontinence. Vaginal estrogen might be helpful starting with menopause or as early as perimenopause for some women in their late thirties and forties.
Vaginal estrogen has been transformative for me. Unless there's a better treatment in the future, I plan to use it for the rest of my life. -- Robyn
**Interstitial cystitis is a chronic pain condition that affects the bladder.