Why is it that older women get urinary tract infections more often than their younger counterparts even when they are not sexually active? The answer is in our hormonal balance and the drop in our estrogen levels. Estrogen has a major role in maintaining the integrity of our vaginal, vulval and bladder mucosa.
Estrogen plays a major role in inflammation, and during times of hormonal imbalance your body may be more susceptible to the inflammation that can lead to interstitial cystitis.
Low estrogen can cause bladder symptoms by thinning the tissue that lines the vagina. This decreases the elasticity and strength of the vagina and surrounding muscles, reducing muscle support for the bladder and related structures, such as the urethra.
And with less estrogen in your body, bacterial levels can change, allowing infection to set in. Some menopausal women have occasional UTIs, but others experience chronic, frustrating UTIs that occur month after month after month and interfere with quality of life and sexual enjoyment.
The perimenstrual phase is characterized by low estrogen levels. interstitial cystitis. The perimenstrual phase of the menstrual cyde, as seen in Figure 1, which is characterized by low estrogen correlates with the highest prevalence of IC pain.
Women may experience this with or without a confirmed urinary tract infection. Fortunately, urinary tract infections respond well to antibiotics; however, they can be prevented by maintaining our vaginal health with topical estrogen supplementation, which a doctor can prescribe.
HRT contains oestrogen, which helps improve the bladder and urethral tissues that have been made more delicate by the menopause. This can also help prevent bladder infections. tablets, gels and sprays) can be helpful.
In addition estrogen deficiency occurring following the menopause is known to cause atrophic change and may be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms such as frequency, urgency, nocturia, urgency incontinence and recurrent infection.
Causes of cystitis
Things that increase the chance of bacteria getting into the bladder include: having sex. wiping your bottom from back to front after going to the toilet. urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)
Low estrogen levels cause the urethra to become thin, so it increases the frequency of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and results in low estrogen UTI symptoms. The uterus may fall into the vagina in a condition known as uterine prolapse.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Where bladder symptoms are caused by urogenital atrophy (changes in the tissue of your bladder, urethra and vagina caused by lack of oestrogen), you may be offered HRT. HRT contains oestrogen, which helps improve the bladder and urethral tissues made more delicate by the menopause.
Topical vaginal estrogen — Vaginal estrogen may be helpful for women who are near menopause or have gone through menopause and have urinary incontinence and vaginal atrophy (dryness).
It can also decrease urinary tract infection rates and other urethral and bladder symptoms. In fact, some patients are treated repeatedly for UTIs or are diagnosed with Painful Bladder Syndrome or Interstitial Cystitis when they may actually have a local estrogen deficiency (vaginal /urethral).
While the reason for this has been debated, one well-regarded theory is that increased estrogen and decreased testosterone play a role in this predisposition. Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS), is an autoimmune disorder that affects over nine million women in the United States.
Traditional natural hormone replacement therapies
phytoestrogens, which are dietary estrogens found in legumes, seeds, and whole grains. folate (vitamin B-9 or folic acid) St. John's wort.
Genes associated with follicle growth were not significantly altered by vitamin D3. However, it increases expression of genes involved in the estrogen-biosynthesis. Further, estrogen concentrations in porcine granulosa cell-cultured media increased in response to vitamin D3.
Foods that reportedly increase estrogen include flax seeds, soybean products, chocolate, fruit, nuts, chickpeas, and legumes. Before we delve into why these foods are said to increase estrogen, we need to look at two important definitions; phytoestrogens and lignans.
How can I check my hormone levels at home? Blood tests – At-home estrogen blood tests are quick and easy. You just need to prick your finger and collect a small blood sample in a vial. After that, you can send your sample to a lab for testing.
However, there is modest evidence showing benefit for such treatment in women with overactive bladder (which was also found in the present study, Table 2). Estrogen raises the sensory threshold of the bladder and increases the maximum capacity. There are several strengths of this study.
-Taking over-the-counter pain medication: This can help to relieve pain and inflammation. Tylenol is better than Motrin or Advil. -Using a heating pad: This can help to soothe pain and cramping. – avoiding foods and drinks that can irritate the bladder: These include caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic fruits.
You usually take antibiotics for cystitis for three days, but sometimes they're prescribed for seven days or longer. Your symptoms should start to ease after a couple of days of taking antibiotics. If they don't, you should see your GP again.