UTI'S and Estrogen loss

[Guest guest]

HI again just a few quick clips from various posts I've sent on previously about how estrogen helps UTI's too and the overall value of it for the V. tissue.

The risk for UTIs, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, is highest in women after menopause. In fact, studies indicate that between 20% and 25% of women over 65 years old have UTIs, and 10% to 15% have asymptomatic bacteriuria (compared to 2% to 5% of young women).

Sexual activity plays a lesser role in UTIs in older women than in younger women. In general, biologic changes due to menopause put older women at particular risk for primary and recurring UTIs:

With estrogen loss, the walls of the urinary tract thin out, weakening the mucous membrane and reducing its ability to resist bacteria. The bladder may lose elasticity and fail to empty completely. Estrogen loss has also been associated with reduction in certain immune factors in the vagina that help block E. coli from adhering to vaginal cells. Levels of lactobacilli (protective bacteria) decline after menopause, also due to drops in estrogen.

Changes in tissue composition are not limited to the genital tract but also include the urinary tract (think of UTI's dee t)...because of the shared common embryologic origin. Vaginal and urethral epithelia are estrogen dependent and adversely change in an 'estrogen-deprived' environment.

Hormone replacement therapy is the most logical choice of treatment and has 'proved' to be effective in the restoration of anatomy 'and' the resolution of symptoms. Estrogen therapy may alleviate existing symptoms or even prevent development of urogenital symptoms. The genitourinary pH level is also lowered, leading to a 'decreased' incidence of UTI's (urinary tract infections) as well as restoration of the vaginal tissue, urethra, ''and'' bladder.

The clinical features of estrogen 'starvation', whether in menopause or younger women who've had oophorectomy, (ovary removal) chemo or radiation therapy, hysterectomy, use of anti-estrogenic drugs or lactation (nursing) all states of low estrogen, include.......

Vaginal dryness, tissue thinning, splitting, ripping, urethral problems, UTI's, fragility and loss of elasticity, along with shortening and narrowing of the vaginal canal.

Note many of those are very similiar to the symptoms of vulvodynia and LS especially the condition of the tissue and why in my estimation the topical estrogen can be so beneficial if the condition exists in the vulvar tissue itself and all infections or other causes such as allergies causing a dermatitis or radiating pelvic pain have been eliminated.

If the tissue itself needs restored to bring back it's tone, color, elasticity etc... a topical Estrogen like Estrace (a bioidentical one) truly can be so beneficial and was the answer to 'my' prayers after 10 nightmare years.

hugsDee~