I was on the pill and it was difficult to keep up with so I started looking for other forms of birth control. I had found the IUD and thought it sounded great. I had never had a UTI until I got the IUD. Then it's like I had 7 in a row. I still love the convenience of the IUD so I thought there was something else I could do. Now I take cranberry supplements just every time when ever I think about it and they've really helped. So if you really like the convenience of the IUD, try cranberry supplements.
I guess it's not just me reading your story and other woman stories. I have had my IUD in for 1yr this is my 2nd one. The first one came off and they put this new one in. I have been having UTI problems, pain in my stomach, and severe bacterial vaginosis. I am getting my IUD removed that the end of this myth. Thank God going to be treated for the bacterial vaginosis and be done with this thing.
I am so tired of my UTI that my IUD needs to take a hike. I have had it for almost 8 years and no sex in six and I still get UTI's. I was so excited about the low maintenance birth control ( without hormones) but mother nature wants this foreign object out! Too good to be true. I am turning 50 and no longer active so....best to you all here. Hope you had more fun with yours than I did. Lol. PP
Yes... every IUD that's been inserted for any decent amount of time is going to test positive for E. Coli. There's always E Coli in your bladder/Uterus, just not large enough amounts to cause infection. It's all about balance between the good and bad bacteria, so even if there's healthy levels of it, it's still going to be positive for E. Coli. It's just when the E. Coli gets out of control and your balance is thrown off that you experience UTI.
That said, getting it tested won't prove anything. But then again, isn't the important thing is whether or not your UTIs go away after you get it removed? That's all I'd worry about, honestly. Getting it tested is just going to make you angry because it WILL come back positive every time, lol.
That said, getting it tested won't prove anything. But then again, isn't the important thing is whether or not your UTIs go away after you get it removed? That's all I'd worry about, honestly. Getting it tested is just going to make you angry because it WILL come back positive every time, lol.
I got a Mirena IUD 5 years ago. No issues at all initially (other than insertion pain) but about 2 1/2 years in I ended up with a UTI (and a yeast infection... and BV...) and the UTIs have been chronic ever since. Never ever had one before in my life before this (I'm 27 now) and now if I don't take antibiotics every day I'll instantly get a UTI, and sometimes I'll get one even taking them daily.The only way I've found to not get one is to be completely 100% abstinent, which is ridiculous. My doctor said it's not the Mirena, but we've literally tried and failed with every other option, so I honestly believe it has to be linked to the IUD (which really sucks because it does help a lot with Endometriosis symptoms). and then, of course, the antibiotics for the infection will cause either a yeast infection or BV because it throws off your balance and it's basically a never ending cycle of discomfort in one way or another. and I'm at a point where they've pretty much ran out of antibiotics to give me because they either make me super nauseated or just don't work... I guess I just figured I'd share my struggle here so that anyone else having this issue can see that it does happen despite what your doctor may tell you. I'm getting this thing removed as soon as I can figure out another option for the endometriosis/BC. I've also noticed its caused a lot more discharge, likely because my ph balance keeps getting thrown out of whack and there's a foreign object in my uterus, but those are the bad side effects I've had with this.
Thank so much for writing this article. I thought I was going crazy thinking this IUD was the cause of repetitive UTI and really bad cramps during period and during ovulation, but now after ready multiples reviews by you and other ladies, I am now sure this 10 year IUD is the cause of my misery. Doctor don't believe you when you tell them that, but we know our bodies better than anyone else. So listen to your body. I wish they would do more research on this and take this side effects serious.
Though I 100% believe that IUDs (Mirena in particular, as that's the one I have) can and do cause UTI issues, I don't think having it tested will prove anything. 1) E. Coli is always present in the bladder/uterus/that area, just in small enough numbers that your good bacteria can keep it in check. Therefore, pretty much every IUD tested should come back positive for E. Coli (and I've heard of people having theirs tested who DIDN'T have any symptoms/problems with UTIs and it still came back positive for E. Coli) and 2) I had mine changed over the summer and it didn't make a difference at all as far as the UTIs go. I was almost positive the Mirena itself was infected but even with a brand new one the problems persist. It seems to have something to do with the IUD being there in general, and not necessarily bacteria attaching itself to it and causing the problem (though I'm sure this is probably possible, as well).
Just figured I'd share that so people don't waste their time and/or think it was a problem with one particular device only to have another fitted and have your problems persist (though my particular problem isn't necessarily the same as the rest of yours... it does seem to be linked to a common factor). I have an appointment to talk about removing my Mirena and what my best options are next week. At this point I'd rather be on nothing and get pregnant than continue dealing with all of this.
Just figured I'd share that so people don't waste their time and/or think it was a problem with one particular device only to have another fitted and have your problems persist (though my particular problem isn't necessarily the same as the rest of yours... it does seem to be linked to a common factor). I have an appointment to talk about removing my Mirena and what my best options are next week. At this point I'd rather be on nothing and get pregnant than continue dealing with all of this.
Hi Katherine, I hope you can get some relief. I thought I would share my recent story. I went along to my sexual health clinic and demanded to have my marina taken out but we decided to try other options first as the nurse wasn't convinced the marina causes UTI's (although I have heard they thin the bladder lining making women more susceptible to them). Clean before / after showers, etc. She asked if the area was lubricated enough down there when we did the deed.... of course!!! I replied. Well, been off sex for a few months now promising by boyfriend ill go back to the dr. The other night, decided to have a go with lube (never needed it in my life!), and it was completely different. No aggravation down there, which I believe contributed to UTI's. I would generally get UTI's when we had particularly rough sex or hadnt had sex for a while!
So moral of the story, if you havent already, purchase a good lube. I hated them because they were always cluncky and sticky. The one we have now is silky and really nice! Use it and see if it helps.
Good luck. It's quite difficult trying to figure out how to help our bodies!! But through trial and error most of these problems can be solved.
So moral of the story, if you havent already, purchase a good lube. I hated them because they were always cluncky and sticky. The one we have now is silky and really nice! Use it and see if it helps.
Good luck. It's quite difficult trying to figure out how to help our bodies!! But through trial and error most of these problems can be solved.
Yes, dr's don't always know everything. Whilst we should always take their advice on board, at the end of the day its our body and we know it best. Trial and error, more trial and error! Very frustrating at times but i think we can get there in the end :)
On a side note, once a dr told me my neck pain was normal because we descended from Apes. Ha! I laugh now but when I got to my car I cried! This was after trying different physios and health professionals. I decided that only I can figure out my body, taking their advice into account of course!
On a side note, once a dr told me my neck pain was normal because we descended from Apes. Ha! I laugh now but when I got to my car I cried! This was after trying different physios and health professionals. I decided that only I can figure out my body, taking their advice into account of course!
2017: I have never had a UTI until I had the Paraguard put in a year ago. Since then I've had cramps and 4 UTIs. It's frustrating but glad I found this page.
I've been reading the same piece, recurring UTI because of IUD. I totally get it. I have the IUD for 5 years since 2011. It was terrible. In the first year I will have 2 UTI in a year but the next 4 years I will have 5 to 6 UTI every year. Horrible I will ask my OBGYN and would tell me it is not related to IUD and I trust her. (too bad that I dont read articles likes this for the past years.)
Aside from the burning and pain and torture of getting antibiotic I develop kidney stone and have a moderate mass in my left kidney. This cause pain also in my lower back. Three days ago I went to obgyn and have it removed, until the very end she believe that IUD is not the cause of UTI.
If I will just turn the time, I will never put any" strange tool" in my body. For all the women. Go get another contraceptive not IUD of any kind.
Aside from the burning and pain and torture of getting antibiotic I develop kidney stone and have a moderate mass in my left kidney. This cause pain also in my lower back. Three days ago I went to obgyn and have it removed, until the very end she believe that IUD is not the cause of UTI.
If I will just turn the time, I will never put any" strange tool" in my body. For all the women. Go get another contraceptive not IUD of any kind.
I just want to say that actually ecoli in your bladder is never normal. The GU tract is a sterile system.
Thank you so much for this. I have decided to have my mirena coil removed. All I have had is one urine infection after another, thinking that it was sexual intercourse. It had become so recurrent I didn't want to have any sex just in case I got another one. This has been helpful so thank you
I got the Mirena in January of 2017. I, too have have suffered from a UTI (I haven't gotten one in years) & an unexplainable itchy rash all over my body. Doctor says it has no link to my Mirena, blah blah.. I'm having it removed in 2 weeks. The only good thing out of this birth control is the little to no periods, but screw that, I'd rather have periods than these side effects!
I have this same issue!! I've had a Mirena for about 9 years (two different ones) but recently I am getting constant UTIs. My periods use Robbie light for just 3 days or so but now since the UTIs started it's been heavy and long and then only 2 weeks in between the next period. I was told the these had nothing to do with my mirena