At the London Women’s Centre, Mr. Panayi is dedicated to providing compassionate care for women experiencing ongoing UTI and bladder pain symptoms.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Urinary tract infections occur when harmful microorganisms, usually bacteria become more prevalent in the urinary tract than normal, leading to urethral and bladder infections.
Recurrent UTIs refer to infections that occur multiple times, usually three or more times within six months. This infection is characterised by symptoms reappearing after previous treatment.
Chronic UTIs, on the other hand, are persistent bladder infections that continue over an extended period. They are marked by symptoms that persist even after treatment, making it feel like the infection is never fully resolved. This diagnosis is based on symptom assessment and patient history and is difficult to objectively demonstrate as it is based on the hypothesis that the infection has embedded into the wall of the bladder, which means urine samples often do not show evidence of infection. This makes this a challenge to diagnose and manage and should only be undertaken by specialists in this area.
Women have a higher risk of urinary tract infections, and therefore they are more likely to get recurrent UTIs when compared to men. However there seems to be a susceptibility of some women to persistent urinary tract infections for reasons that are not well understood.
The different risk factors impact women’s chances of getting a UTI include:
The reasons why some women experience recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections are not fully understood. Some women experience pain in these areas with no apparent 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.
At London Women’s Centre, we base our treatment not only on your symptoms but a whole picture of your condition.
By taking a holistic approach, we carefully consider your symptoms, medical history, and overall lifestyle to develop a treatment plan that suits your needs.
Chronic UTI symptoms can range from person to person and be similar to those of an acute infection or cystitis, including:
Women may also experience more general symptoms such as sleeping difficulties and fatigue and disrupt daily activities, affecting emotional wellbeing and personal and sexual relationships.
It is important once the symptoms of UTI are recognised, to treat them effectively with antibiotics to treat the cause of the infection.
To support your recovery, getting enough rest is essential. However, sleeping can be challenging due to the discomfort often accompanying a UTI.
Staying well-hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water can help flush out bacteria. Still, it’s best to avoid beverages such as alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks containing caffeine or citrus juice, as they can irritate the bladder and worsen the urge to urinate.
While these measures can help alleviate symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor, especially if you experience recurrent UTIs. This is because treatment for recurrent or suspected chronic UTIs needs to consider the whole condition and not individual episodes of UTI and therefore more extensive treatment or further investigation may need to be undertaken.
Following professional guidance is in your best interest to ensure proper treatment and prevent potential complications. Unfortunately, home remedies alone may not always be enough to address the condition fully, and medical intervention may be required for effective management.
Here at London Women’s Centre, we understand that recurrent or chronic UTI diagnoses can be challenging, mainly when there are inconclusive test results. ‘Interstitial cystitis’ is often used to describe chronic and recurrent UTIs. Still, it is essential to note that this label can be limiting, and national and international guidance recommends avoiding this term.
Specific 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 inserted 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 and potentially instruct us as to the intensity and length of treatment required.
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.
Our approach to treating recurrent and chronic UTIs begins with simple yet effective lifestyle adjustments aimed at prevention.
These changes include:
If the approaches above aren’t effective, we will 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.
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.
As each chronic and recurrent UTI case is unique, at London Women’s Centre, we develop personalised treatment plans tailored to individual needs after carefully evaluating your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle.
The mainstay of treatment is medical, it is rare that a surgical bladder pain treatment is needed.
The typical domains of treatment include:
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.
Despite normal test findings, symptoms of recurrent urinary tract infections can occur. The reason for this is not apparent, however, research suggests that damage to the bladder lining during an infection can allow bacteria to embed within the bladder wall, leading to ongoing inflammation and discomfort.
Although an infection may not be detectable in urine tests, inflammation and symptoms can persist, requiring a comprehensive treatment approach.
At the London Women’s Centre, we support you with understanding, care, and a commitment to finding the most effective solutions for your needs.
10 Knaresborough Pl,
Kensington, London,SW5 0TG
Chelsea Bridge Road
London, SW1W 8RH
801 London Road, North Cheam
Sutton, Surrey, SM3 9DW
53 Parkside, London
SW19 5NX
184 Coombe Lane West
Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7EG
London Women’s Centre
Open : Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Mr Panayi’s Secretary:
Amy Foskett-Jones
Tel: 07990781826
Fax: 0208 082 5560
Mr Athanasias’ Secretary:
Angela Hughes
Tel: 07731522542
Fax: 0203 725 9935
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