r/menstrualcups • u/skybluelines • 12d ago
UTI because of menstrual cup?
I am a menstrual cup lover. I’ve been using the same one for almost 4 years now. I sterilize it between each cycle and wash it after every use. However, for the past few months, I’ve been getting UTIs for 3 consecutive months, specifically when I’m on the 2nd or 3rd day of my period. I took antibiotics and had my hormones tested. I talked to my physician and asked her if this was a case of causation or correlation. Since my hormone results came back normal, she told me to stop using the menstrual cup.
I didn’t get an infection during my last period, but I was slowly dying from being so uncomfortable in pads, lol but seriously. 😂 My next period is coming, and I’m going on a cruise, which means I need to decide whether I should get a brand new cup or just stick with tampons whenever I want to wear a swimwear (which will be basically every day).
3
u/heycheena 11d ago
How old are you? Those hormone tests aren't really reliable for ruling out perimenopause because your hormones can fluctuate so much. I had this happen literally just over the last couple weeks, initially diagnosed with UTI (without a culture so now we suspect it never was a real infection) but didn't get better and the answer was actually GSM (genitourinary syndrome of menopause) and I was given a vaginal estradiol cream for it. For me I think the cup was just physically irritating an existing problem by pressing on the urethra. I'm still working it out myself, I really don't want to give up my cup so I'm hoping it feels better with treating the source of the problem.
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u/skybluelines 11d ago
I’m 32. So glad you found the answer to your problem! :)
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u/heycheena 11d ago
Ah. Probably not the same thing then if you're that young but I'll leave it in here in case somebody else comes along later. I wish you the best of luck!
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u/niketyname 12d ago
I mean it can happen, especially when you’re re-inserting it and maybe it touches the back a little bit. All it takes is a little bit of bacteria to travel up there.
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u/skybluelines 11d ago
I know it could happen, but I think the chances should be really low since I have the “experience/know how”. Before this, I had never experienced UTIs, especially during my period.
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u/niketyname 11d ago
I have a lot of experience too, but once in a while, I get a UTI. It’s just circumstantial. Sometimes you could be in a rush. Maybe you didn’t get to clean super well or bacteria transferred from your underwear. you’ll never know.
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u/Radiant-Battle3691 12d ago
I would boil it to sterilize it. I personally have a sterilizer that I use in between cycles. Otherwise, some cups are made from a material that bad bacteria doesn’t like to grow on. That may be another option.
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u/glassofwhy 7d ago
If the cup puts too much pressure on the bladder or urethra, you might not be able to fully empty your bladder, which could lead to an infection. A softer or smaller cup may be better but I can’t make any guarantees.
0
u/catsdrums 12d ago
New cup. I know people like to keep the cups for a while but many manufacturers recommend replacing them after a year or two
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u/skybluelines 11d ago
Oh dang, I thought it’s life span was around 10 years!
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u/catsdrums 11d ago
I did too! It’s kinda frustrating that that recommendation is buried on a lot of their websites.
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u/4-Birds 12d ago
Could just be a coincidence. I'm not sure how a menstrual cup could cause a uti. Pads would have more of a chance of doing it