Menopause is a natural stage of aging, not a disease. As a woman reaches menopause, the levels of estrogen and progesterone naturally decline (1).

Decreased estrogen may affect vaginal and bladder health

Decreased estrogen levels can be associated with various symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, changes in tissue elasticity, discomfort during intercourse, and alterations in urinary habits. These changes may also coincide with recurrent discomfort from urinary issues (2).

What is a UTI?

The urinary system includes the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. Ureters are the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder, and the urethra is the tube through which urine exits the bladder and leaves the body. A UTI is an infection that can occur in any part of this system.

Differences in UTIs Between Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

In premenopausal women, UTIs typically present as acute infections and are often linked to sexual activity. In contrast, postmenopausal women may experience chronic or recurrent UTIs, and these can occur regardless of sexual activity.

For younger women, acute UTIs are commonly caused by pathogenic E. coli bacteria. However, in postmenopausal women, UTIs are often associated with physical changes related to decreased estrogen levels, which may affect the bladder and pelvic floor muscles.

A prolapsed bladder, also known as cystocele, can lead to urine retention. This condition might make it difficult for urine to be completely expelled, which could foster bacterial growth. Consequently, individuals might experience difficulty urinating, odorous urine, discomfort during urination, and more frequent UTIs.

The atrophic bladder reduces its resistance to infection (3).

When the bladder undergoes significant changes, such as thinning of tissue, bacteria from the skin may more easily enter the bladder and contribute to infections. These infections can be chronic and may not necessarily involve pathogenic E. coli bacteria.

How might skin bacteria come into contact with the bladder?

The bladder connects to the outside through the urethra, which is typically shorter in women than in men. This can allow skin or fecal bacteria to travel up the urethra into the bladder. Once there, these bacteria may settle on the inner lining of the bladder (4).

Can the bladder protect itself from bacterial infection?

Yes, the bladder has natural protective mechanisms when it is not atrophied. One such mechanism is the frequent shedding of the bladder’s inner skin cells (5), similar to how dandruff sheds from the scalp.

How does estrogen influence bladder protection?

The lower part of the vagina and the urethra share a common embryological origin, making them responsive to similar hormonal effects (6). With decreased estrogen levels, such as during menopause, these areas may become thinner, potentially increasing the susceptibility to recurrent UTIs.

Before menopause, higher estrogen levels help maintain thick, multi-layered skin in the urogenital area, including the bladder. This thick layer undergoes regular renewal, where the outermost cells shed and are expelled in urine, along with any bacteria that may have adhered to them. This continuous renewal helps keep the bladder surface less susceptible to bacterial colonization.

High levels of estrogen contribute to strong pelvic floor muscles, which help maintain the proper alignment of pelvic organs such as the uterus and bladder. This alignment can facilitate complete and efficient emptying of the bladder.

Changes After Menopause

Following natural menopause or menopause induced by breast cancer treatments, estrogen levels decrease. This reduction can lead to changes in the bladder's lining, where it may become thinner and shed cells less frequently (7). Consequently, these changes may lead to an increase in bacterial presence in the bladder, making it more susceptible to infections.

Additionally, reduced estrogen also causes the pelvic floor muscles to shrink, resulting in pelvic organs to become prolapsed. The prolapsed uterus can be easily fixed by hysterectomy. However, you will need your bladder for life. The surgery that repairs prolapsed bladder has a high rate of failure. For those women with a successful surgery, the use of pelvic mesh may cause greater risks that may affect their future health. 

Many women with prolapsed bladder may not know it. But suffering from frequent UTIs is an indication that they may have developed bladder prolapse.

Common symptoms of a prolapsed bladder may include:

• Discomfort or pain in the pelvis
• Tissue protruding from the vagina (The tissue may be tender and may bleed.)
• Difficulty urinating
• A feeling that incomplete voiding
• Stress incontinence (urine leakage during sneezing, coughing, or exertion)
• More frequent bladder infections
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Low back pain

To learn more about bladder prolapse, you may find this article helpful.

UTIs in postmenopausal women can be difficult to treat.

UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections in women. These infections account for about 25% of all infections. Recurrence can range from 26% in premenopausal women to 55% after menopause (8).

When chronic UTI occurs in postmenopausal women, it can be difficult to treat (9). Antibiotics can remove bacteria from the bladder inner skin surface. Yet, due to a lack of skin cell shedding, bacteria can come back as soon as the antibiotic treatment stops. The infection becomes chronic or recurrent. The repeated pain and suffer can interfere with the quality of life and sexual enjoyment.

Treatment options for chronic UTIs in older women

1. Antibiotics may not work well

When you have a chronic UTI and visit a doctor, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics 10). Antibiotics may be effective in clearing the first episode of UTIs. After the treatment stops, UTIs may recur to become a recurrent and chronic infection. Repeated use of the same antibiotics may cause drug resistance or yeast infection (11). If you are dealing with a yeast infection, you may be interested in Reset and Rejoice.

2. Vaginal estrogen may be effective but unsafe

Your doctor may also give you prescription estrogen. Inserting estrogen cream or suppositories into the vagina can restore its hormone level. It can also benefit its neighboring tissues, like the bladder and urethra. This helps prevent UTIs. Vaginal estrogen supports the growth of thicker bladder skin. It can frequently shed cells to remove bad bacteria (12).

Estrogen may be effective, but it may increase the risk of cancers. These include breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers (13). Cancer survivors do not want to use estrogen.

Estrogen increases the risk of uterine fibroids, heart attacks, and clotting disease (14). Women who are susceptible to these diseases do not want to use estrogen.

A recent study by scientists at Harvard University provided new evidence indicating that estrogen not only promotes but also directly causes breast cancer. This new discovery further confirms the cancer risk associated with estrogen. 

Some estrogen products are made from horse urine and may involve animal cruelty. Many animal lovers are against using this type of estrogen.

3. Frequent hydration helps but with reduced effect

Frequent hydration can reduce your risk of developing a UTI. Drinking plenty of water helps flush harmful bacteria out of the urinary tract. In the summer or where the weather is hot, excessive sweating can reduce the amount of urine. Reduced flushing increases the risk of UTI. Drinking a large amount of water on hot days can help remove bacteria from the urinary tract.

While plain water is best for staying hydrated, other drinks can also help. Fruit and vegetable juices, soup, teas, coffee, and soda can add to your daily water intake. Additionally, drinking cranberry juice or D-mannose helps reduce the risk of UTIs.

Frequent hydration may work well in younger women, but it may be less effective in older women (15). The reason is that the atrophied bladder has reduced cell shedding. Flushing urine does not remove unshed cells. As a result, bacteria attached to the bladder may persist in the bladder. This makes treatment of UTIs more difficult in older women.

4. NeuEve – A popular home remedy

NeuEve offers alternatives to estrogen, available in both capsule and topical forms.

• Corsaria For Urinary Tract Health is a balanced blend of two potent ingredients – Cranberry and D-mannose. Cranberry has been used to prevent UTIs. Researchers showed that cranberry contains a high level of polyphenols that can block the adherence of bacteria to the bladder, reducing UTI infections. D-mannose is a natural UTI defense tool for people experiencing frequent or recurrent urinary tract infections. D-mannose has been scientifically proven to defend against UTIs. When bacteria binds to d-mannose, it can’t bind to other sugars, causing the bacteria to detach from the urinary tract so it can be flushed out.

  

   
• Our topical products work with nutritional supplements. They provide nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to nourish the atrophied skin (16). The process is like putting nutrient cream on the face to smooth wrinkles. Topical nourishment by NeuEve can make the vaginal wall to become stronger, the bladder skin to grow thicker, and the prolapsed bladder to return to its original normal position. As a result, cell shedding in the bladder will become more frequent and urine can be emptied completely from the bladder to better flush out  unwanted bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of recurrent UTIs.

NeuEve is a natural product, not a drug. Thus, a doctor’s prescription is not required. NeuEve is a support for menopause-related chronic UTIs.

To date, NeuEve has helped thousands of women with menopause-related UTIs. There are no reported side effects. Many urologists have been recommending NeuEve.

5. What are the right products to start?

The products for UTIs in older women are Corsaria, NeuEve cream, and NeuEve Silk suppositories. If you are over 70, read this article.

To use the suppository, insert it once every four days into the vagina. Apply a small amount (about the size of a dime) of NeuEve Cream daily to the external vulva.

These products are designed to support the vaginal and bladder tissues. While some customers have noticed improvements quickly, the timeline for noticeable changes can vary, often depending on individual conditions.

Many individuals who did not find relief with estrogen have turned to NeuEve as an alternative, including breast cancer survivors seeking options compatible with their health needs. NeuEve has been chosen by many for support with discomfort related to chronic UTIs during menopause.

6. Lifestyle changes

Changing lifestyle may help prevent chronic and recurrent UTIs.

a) Frequent hydration

Lack of frequent urination may cause bacteria in the bladder to accumulate and cause infection. This can be a problem in the summer. Hot weather causes sweating. When the body fluid reduces, the amount of urine reduces. When the accumulated bacteria are not flushed out from the bladder, UTIs may occur. Thus, it is important to keep frequent hydration, especially in hot days.

- Drink plenty of fluids, 2 to 4 quarts per day.

- Do not drink fluids that irritate the bladder, like alcohol or caffeine. 

Note, frequent hydration may work well in young women but it is less effective in older women because they may have menopause-associated vaginal atrophy. Therefore, if you are postmenopausal, we recommend that keep frequent hydration but at the same time you can use NeuEve products to help you better prevent UTIs.

b) Personal hygiene

- Choose pads over tampons. Tampons may make infections more likely. Change a new pad each time when you use the bathroom.

- Do not douche or use feminine hygiene sprays or powders.

- Do not use any product containing perfumes in the genital area.

- Keep the genital area clean. Clean the area before and after sex.

- Take showers instead of baths. Avoid bath oils.

- Pee immediately after sex.

- Wipe from front to back.

c) Clothing

- Avoid tight-fitting pants.

- Wear cotton-cloth underwear, and change it at least once a day.

 

In summary, chronic and recurrent UTIs are common issues among women. While there are multiple preventive methods available, their effectiveness can vary, especially when used alone. For example, simply switching from tampons to pads may not prevent recurrent UTIs. NeuEve is designed to support a healthy vaginal microbiome and address changes related to vaginal health. To enhance overall support, we recommend using a combination of methods alongside NeuEve. Many women who use NeuEve have reported positive experiences in managing their UTI symptoms over extended periods.

 

 

Note: This article describes self-care methods for managing mild discomfort of chronic UTI associated with menopause. If you have acute UTI with fever and severe pain, you should seek professional care from a urologist doctor.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is about natural products, nutrients, and/or methods for managing menopause-related discomforts (not diseases). It is not medical advice for the treatment of any diseases.

 

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Customer reviews on UTI relief

Cheryl

December 23, 2022

Miracle

I had 8 UTIs in 8 months. My doctor wanted me to use estrogen cream. I did not. After researching I found NeuEve vulva balm cream which appeared to be all natural and same concept as estrogen.

I started using it. No UTIs since starting product.

I developed chronic dry, peeling skin around eyes and nothing worked. Although it isn’t an eye cream, I put this same cream around eyes and they are healed and actually appear to have reduced lines and my eyes look bright.

 

Camela S.

March 14, 2021

Perfect alternative

I have only been using this cream for a few months now. I cannot use hormone treatment because of breast cancer. Very happy with this product and being all-natural. It has helped with the vaginal atrophy and I have not had a urinary tract infection since I started using it. Has helped with the dryness also.

Faye

March 9, 2021

Finding relief

Over the past year I had been experiencing frequent urination and itching, as though I had an infection. I went to my gynecologist who advised me that I was experiencing severe vaginal dryness. I tried a few products that only helped for a few days before the problem returned. I searched the web for help and found NeuEve. The reviews were positive so I gave it a try. It'll take awhile as my case was severe, but I am finding relief and healing!

 

Sheila E

September 3, 2020

Yesterday I received my NeuEve Silk and I knew I had to try it at bedtime. I have been in menopause since I was 33 years old and I am 64 now. I had cancer and therefore was afraid to use estrogen cream vaginally which is what doctors have said for years that I need. I was afraid to use it, so I just did not listen.

Fast forward to now and I have been miserable. I have had a dull aching and it feels like when you feel like a UTI is coming on not to mention the awful dryness, so the doctor said I had no choice but to use the estrogen.

I was so miserable I started using it. Taking the instructions out and reading all the warnings freaked me out! So, I got on the internet and prayed there was something else out there to help me, there just had to be!

That is when I stumbled upon the info about NeuEve. I read everything I could find on it and felt like I had nothing to lose because the options were few and far between. I put my first suppository last night and it didn’t take long to melt, and my body absorbed it almost immediately that is just how dry I am “down there”! This is what I do not understand...how can the dull aching and the feeling of getting a UTI be gone?

One application and I feel this good? After suffering for years and sex being so painful?

I have hope now. My plans are to use all three stages of NeuEve. This is an absolute miracle and bless you Dr. Chang for creating a product like this that is going to help so many of us. Wait till I see my doctor and if things keep progressing like this, I will be stopping the estrogen cream and will stay on NeuEve for the rest of my life.

Allison Watson

August 20, 2020

I ordered these for my mother-in-law and this is what she has to say:

"My urologist told me to get these! I was having constant UTI's for the past few years, I'm 58 and after being diagnosed with breast cancer at 49 and then being told to have my ovaries removed too. I had everything taken out except my vagina. After that, it was much too painful for any of that kind of fun!

I do believe in miracles and maybe your product will make it possible again!!! Your product has made me feel so much better! I do not have the horrible feeling of getting a UTI anymore or any dryness and not one UTI since I started!!! Which is huge!!! So, thank you for caring enough for women's health to make such a wonderful product!!!

This is such a hard subject to discuss no one talks about it and not something I normally would but I think I need to tell you it is working so far! The price is high, but I will just have to save somewhere else!!!

It's been about 6 weeks since I started and I can feel the walls of my vagina are starting to soften which had hardened ( I've even had surgery to clip scar tissue that was like rings actually closing my vagina) I didn't even know if I could get one of your suppositories in!!! But had no problems!!!

I felt I needed to write this because it is the first thing that has worked!!! I'm not sure I would have tried this because of the price if my doctor hadn't told me to. I think if you were to give some samples to doctors so more women could try them. More women would be using them even if they tried them once they could see how they could change their lives too!!!

Please know you really are helping women like me and I just have to say Thank you again!!!"

Sdmsmd

June 2, 2020

I will try not to go into a lot of detail, but at 61, I was beginning to wonder whether I should once again use an estrogen-based product for vaginal atrophy.

I first tried estrogen when my GYN. recommended it after post-menopause. I used it for about a year and it did work very well, but just did not like using estrogen - I especially do not like that it comes from horse urine. That was about 6 or 7 yrs. ago.

The conversation came up again after a stubborn UTI, then an antibiotic-induced yeast infection. There seems to be some literature suggesting that atrophy and UTI's are connected. But I just do not want to use estrogen - and literature is varied on the opinions - health benefits and risks. I thought I'd give NeuEve a try as I had used another brand of vaginal suppository before - but the other brand had a medicinal smell I didn't like, and it didn't do much to change the atrophy.

This product has impressed me. I also ordered the small jar of cream to put on daily. So far, so good. I have felt much more comfortable. The product is more than I would like to pay, but I ordered my second box. I started with Silk - their recommendation but ordered Silver the second time by accident --because I think the Silk formula was doing its job. But now I will be able to compare anyway. I recommended at least trying it.

Paula

April 10, 2018

My urologist recommends these suppositories. I found them to be most effective. Still use in conjunction with estrogen cream, so cannot say how effective they would be on their own. For now, they meet my immediate needs in the manner that I am using them.

LJK

January 8, 2018

When deciding whether to purchase this product I read through almost all the reviews. Most said either the product worked or did not and no other information is given, so I want to write a review that will hopefully be helpful to others.

I was widowed at a relatively young age and had not had sex for over 12 years. I recently met someone, and we wanted to be intimate. I talked to my doctor and she gave me a prescription for hormone cream. It did not work and having sex was a disaster! It was very painful, I had spotting due to vaginal atrophy, and got a flaming UTI. I did not want to give up so I went online looking for a product that would work for me.

I found the New Eve products and saw that they were available on Amazon, so I tried them. The next time we had sex, there was NO spotting at all which I was thrilled about. The 3rd time there was no spotting, no pain, and no UTI. The product worked for me and it was worth the price. I am not going to go looking for something cheaper because there is no guarantee it will work. I have something that works and I'm happy about that.

Liz

September 17, 2016

NewEve Exceeds Expectations

It has been 4-1/2 months since I started using NewEve, following the regimen with the cream, Silk, and Silver. Lesson learned: The more advanced the atrophy, the more time and patience it takes to reverse the condition. In fact, at age 76, the results are nothing short of miraculous.

NewEve has delivered on its promises - and more. I may move on to the Gold formula at some point, but in the meantime, life is great. That said, I have a clear recall of the misery I suffered before finding the solution - and I did not even have BV or UTIs! Still, I want to shout about this from the rooftops.

Every woman out there deserves to know about NewEve so she can make her own choices. Yeah, it is pricey, but it's worlds ahead of the alternatives. Thank you, Dr. Chang.

Amazon Buyer

March 4, 2016

Helped my UTIs

I am a breast cancer survivor with chronic UTIs. I was told that they were caused by vaginal atrophy due to loss of estrogen, but I cannot use any estrogen due to the cancer diagnosis. I tried this product to see if it would help, and to my amazement, it did!

The atrophy was causing inflammation in my urinary tract, and the inflammation was attracting bacteria, generating an infection. I had one almost constantly for 3 years.

Literally the first time I used the product I could see and feel a difference. I have not had a UTI since starting this product. The rest of the benefits of no atrophy are great, but I am so grateful to have found this helpful product for my urinary tract. Hopefully, other sufferers will find the same result.

Rinzula

February 14, 2016

My BV causes UTI and this is the only thing that breaks the cycle for me.

Neurotech

July 14, 2015

I have been using the Silk formula for about five months. I had post-menopausal vaginal dryness which was contributing to repeated UTIs. The dry atmosphere promoted bacterial growth. In addition, I had extreme vulvar pain (vulvodynia) and every remedy I tried felt as though I was applying acid.

I was desperate after three rounds of antibiotics in four months and still had horrible burning pain. My doctor prescribed hormone cream but I was reluctant to use it since there is a history of breast cancer in my family.

While desperately searching online (sitting on a cold compress at the time) I came across NeuEve and ordered immediately, both the silk formula and the cream to start with. I experienced immediate relief, using the cream daily for about the first month and the suppositories twice weekly as directed. No more UTI's!

Immediate relief and freedom from the burning! I saw my GYN for the yearly checkup two weeks ago and he is very happy that the dryness has resolved. He thanked me for the information about NeuEve and said that he is pleased to have a safe alternative to the hormone cream to recommend to patients.

I am just about to try the Silver formula. I will never be without NeuEve! Dr. Chang is obviously very knowledgeable about this problem to have created such an effective treatment. I will be forever grateful that she did!

GW

April 14, 2015

Thank you so much and I am sure you've heard it before, but this is such an answer to prayer!!!! Thank you.

I am just turning 50 this year but very healthy, young, and live very organic and holistically. I was devastated to start having painful sex issues thinking there was nothing all-natural to help.

To find your product was a little miracle for me! Also, I think it took care of the other little issue I had with small tiny but growing white bumps on the outside of the Urethra and the Urologist said it was an Estrogen problem. THANK YOU!!

 

Customer feedback on bladder prolapse or leaky bladder relief

 

Michelle Exley

IT REALLY WORKS, EVEN FOR BLADDER PROLAPSE!!!!

Excellent product! I can't say enough about this.

I was diagnosed 2.5 months ago with Bladder Prolapse. My Gynecologist recommended

Estrogen suppositories for 3 months to strengthen the area inside. He said that without that, surgery would surely fail.

Well, having had Breast Cancer 2.5 years ago, I wasn't too excited about using Estrogen.

I scouted online for a natural alternative and found NeuEve. I saw that people got quicker results doubling up on the monthly box so that's exactly what I did. 2 boxes of Silk per month + the Cream every other night.

I don't have insurance, and this was so much cheaper than Estrogen, not to mention healthier for me.

To my surprise and delight, I can honestly say that I am seeing a 50% - 60% improvement so far. I'm hoping that another 2 months on this product will cure this, and I will no longer require the surgery at all.

If you're reading this, TRY IT!!!!

 

Elaine Pate

NeuEve vulva balm cream

This product is unbelievable! It stopped my itching immediately and also my leaking!!

 

Terri Sides O'Regan

NeuEve vulva balm cream

Stopped my leaking too! Amazing!!!

 

Klaudya Lepp

I'm very pleased!