What is a UTI

A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is an infection that may occur anywhere in the urinary tract. This includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Urinary tract infections occur when harmful bacteria become more prevalent in the urinary tract than normal, leading to urethra and bladder infections.

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What are Recurrent or Chronic UTIs

Recurrent urinary tract infections are when an individual has experienced a UTI in their urinary system multiple times. This is typically at least three times in six months. This infection is characterised by symptoms reappearing after previous treatment.
A Chronic Urinary tract infection UTI is a persistent bladder infection that lasts for an extended period.
This infection is characterised by symptoms persisting even after a urinary tract infection treatment, feeling like the infection never went away.
Recurrent and chronic UTIs can be frustrating and challenging to diagnose since bladder or vaginal pain symptoms may persist even when urine test results are normal.

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What Causes Urinary Tract infections to Come Back?

Women have a higher risk of urinary tract infections, which is why they might have recurrent UTIs frequently.
Different risk factors impact women’s chances of getting a UTI:

  • Genetics
  • Shorter urethra
  • Proximity of the opening of the urethra to the vagina and anus
  • Dietary habits
  • Birth control/hormones
  • Bathroom/Hygiene habits
  • Sexual activity
  • Medical/ immune conditions

The reasons why some women experience recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections is not fully understood. Some women experience pain in these areas with no obvious cause. It is difficult to pinpoint the cause of someone’s discomfort, but this does not mean the pain is ‘in your head’ or not real. There are recognised chronic pain conditions that involve the bladder, vagina or urethra and there are treatments for these.

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Recurrent and Chronic UTI Treatment

At London Women’s Centre we base our treatment on your symptoms predominantly but a whole picture of your condition.
Your comfort and well-being are our priority. By taking a holistic approach, we carefully consider your symptoms, medical history, and overall lifestyle to develop a treatment plan that suits your needs.

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Symptoms

Chronic UTI symptoms can range from person to person and be similar to those of an acute infection or cystitis, including:

  • Pain during urination
  • Passing small amounts of urine
  • Discomfort in the bladder and urethra
  • Abdominal, back, and leg pain
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Incontinence issues
  • Overactive bladder symptoms: urgency or frequency passing urine

These symptoms can cause sleeping difficulties, fatigue, and disrupt daily activities that can lead to emotional turmoil and affect personal relationships.

Recurrent and Chronic UTI Treatment

We begin with simple and effective solutions such as lifestyle changes to prevent urinary tract infections.   These changes include:

  • Specialised diets
  • Stress management techniques
  • Maximising personal hygiene factors
  • Over-the-counter remedies

If these approaches above aren’t effective, we explore other options. This may consist of taking antibiotics that help treat and prevent recurrent UTIs or most infections, pain modulators, antihistamines, antimuscarinics and bladder instillations that help reduce symptoms of bladder inflammation and frequent urination.
We understand that finding the proper recurrent or chronic UTI treatment can be a journey. Even if you have seen other healthcare providers without success, we are dedicated to working with you until a solution is found.

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Surgical Treatment for Chronic UTIs

Each chronic and recurrent UTI case is treated individually.
At London Women’s Centre, we develop a personalised treatment plan after carefully evaluating your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. We ensure that it effectively addresses your unique needs.
A surgical bladder pain treatment is rarely needed but may include the use of BoNT treatment.

Bladder instillation

This procedure fully inserts medicine into the bladder to ease your symptoms and treat the urinary tract infection.

BoNT treatment

This treatment may help with bladder pain issues, but possible risks include bladder pain and urinary tract infections.

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About Mr Demetri Panayi – UTI Expert ✓

Mr Panayi is a highly accomplished gynaecologist and subspecialist urogynaecologist with vast experience in the NHS and private sectors. Holding various senior positions and being a respected leader in his field, he is a sought-after speaker at national and international meetings and a dedicated mentor, researcher and training the next generation of consultants.
He has been a consultant for thirteen years and specialises in treating women with chronic and recurrent UTIs and ongoing bladder and vaginal pain.
Start your journey to better bladder and vaginal health by booking a consultation, today.

Diagnosis

Here at London Women’s Centre, we understand that recurrent or chronic UTI diagnoses can be challenging, especially if test results are negative.

The term ‘interstitial cystitis’ is often used to describe chronic and recurrent UTIs, but it is important to note that this label can be limiting, and national and international guidance recommends avoiding this term.

Certain symptoms of a UTI must be present to receive this diagnosis, which may result in patients with significant symptoms being left untreated. We want every patient to receive the appropriate treatment. Therefore, it’s essential to consider all symptoms and take a comprehensive approach when assessing and treating chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection symptoms. That’s why, rather than relying solely upon test results, we are attentive to your symptoms and lifestyle, and work alongside you to find a solution.

A diagnostic tool that may be recommended is cystoscopy. This procedure uses a thin camera by inserting it via the urethra into the bladder to examine its interior. The cystoscopy helps us to understand the causes of your discomfort and identify any inflammatory changes or severity of the condition.

Even if the cystoscopy does not provide a clear diagnosis, this would be taken account when determining your management plan. Further tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, may be recommended to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and develop the best treatment plan for you.

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Why do I feel like I have a UTI
when my test results are normal?

Despite normal test findings, symptoms of recurrent urinary tract infections can occur. The reason for this is not clear, however, research suggests that the bladder lining can become damaged when someone has a UTI.
This allows bacterial growth to enter the bladder wall, causing a bladder infection and chronic symptoms. This may means the urine will itself not show an active infection, but the symptoms will still be present as there will still be inflammatory changes in the bladder itself.

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Our London Clinics

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  • The Medical Chambers

    10 Knaresborough Pl,
    Kensington, London,SW5 0TG

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  • The Lister Hospital

    Chelsea Bridge Road
    London, SW1W 8RH

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  • Spire St. Anthony's Hospital

    801 London Road, North Cheam
    Sutton, Surrey, SM3 9DW

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  • Parkside Hospital

    53 Parkside, London
    SW19 5NX

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  • New Victoria Hospital

    184 Coombe Lane West
    Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7EG

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