Ask the Experts-December 2019

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

This is an embarrassing question for me. Every time I go to my doctor, she tells me I don’t have a urinary tract infection even though I feel like I constantly have to pee and I complain to her that I have pain in my abdomen. What do you think of this?

Thanks for any advice you can give to me.

Maureen

Dear Maureen,

Has your doctor mentioned that it might be interstitial cystitis which is a condition that can be quite painful and sometimes causes urges to urinate? Perhaps you might want to see a urologist to give you a diagnosis. A second opinion may be helpful to you.

Some other things you might do is to cut down on alcohol and caffeine as these will certainly cause you to run to the bathroom to urinate. If you are heavy, you might try losing weight as extra pounds can put pressure on your pelvic floor muscles.

Once you have a diagnosis, your doctor might recommend taking antispasmodic medications to relax your bladders muscles.

There are other treatments such as Botox injections which provides temporary relief.

As last resort, there is surgery.

Hope you feel better soon and that this information is helpful to you.

Red Hot Mamas