Today, to this day, I want to write about something close to my heart, but that is out of my range of writings. It has been a significant concern, and if you go through it, why not speak of it?

Let me get this out first: I am in a happy relationship with a wonderful woman who has been supportive through and through.

That part is the most important because whenever I talk about my “condition”, people look at me sideways with a judgemental mindset. Even the nurses at the clinic give me a “you cheating” side eye, but you can’t educate the close and or narrow-minded, I would always say.

It started, or at least my first encounter with E.coli when I was still at school, and yes, I had dated some guy before, before I figured that my future was female 😊 (wink wink). After visiting a doctor with my mother, I never even understood the abbreviation or the symptoms of my bacteria. As mothers are, she informed the guy, and of course, he accused me of jumping around, so I got dumped, but I was not to dwell on that too long, dit gaan nie nou oor hom nie.

As years passed and everything seemed fine, besides the usual growing-up mess, I was the old confident me.

But the joyfulness was short-lifted as it started to itch again. It began to burn again. It began to make me go frequently again. And again, I lost myself in horrible thoughts sparked by a fire called #PeopleTalk. It was like a vacuum sucking all my positive life into the dark holder where all dust is kept. It is wild how easily it is for one to fall into depression.

Guys, to be honest, this is not something we as girls can talk freely about; hence, you sometimes don’t understand the situation at hand, and people will criticise you. Even if you try repeatedly to explain, they give zero fs. They would gossip and talk bad about it.

I suggest you find one person you can confide in, trust in, and focus on getting better. Mentally, physically, and even psychologically.

TIME FOR THE LECTURE…

I have been talking about UTI, an abbreviation for urinary tract infection, which can also be called or known for bladder infection. Please, guys, a UTI is not an STD or any other sexually transmitted disease. It is an infection in any part of the urinary system- the kidneys (more seriously), bladder or urethra. It is more common in women (yes, in men too). WHY? We use the loo by sitting down, where it is most commonly from. Bacteria are the most common causes of a UTI, although fungi rarely infect the urinary tract. E. coli bacteria (their enemy) ☹ #SadFace, which lives in the bowel, cause most UTIs!

Now for the million-dollar question: CAN INTERCOURSE CAUSE UTI?

UTIs aren’t spread from one person to another like STDs. Although having sex can lead to worsening UTIs, you don’t have to have sex to get a UTI; ANYTHING that brings bacteria in contact with your urethra can cause a UTI. SEMEN and SPERM are not causes of UTIs.

I can not stress this enough: UTI is very serious, and I know 80% of woman has dealt with it once or more frequently. And most of us are too shy to talk about it, hence the lack of education about it.

 Now that I have your attention, you almost wiggle in your seat, trying to figure out whether you have it or had it. Let’s cut the cake in half and look at the SYMPTOMS:

Mine occurred when I was in a deep sleep, dreaming about my rich life (ha-ha) at midnight, usually between three and five. I just heard this considerable sensation to take a leak, and from there, I knew. And how is that missy?

Besides needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual, my pee also looks cloudy.

An infection may cause pelvic pain, pain when urinating, and blood in urine.

A kidney infection can occur, and it happens when the UTI is more aggressive and desperately wants all your attention.

It may cause back pain nausea leading to vomiting and fever.

It can get very itchy; by that phase, you need to GO!

Eish, go where? To the loo, my dear. The DOCTOR!

Oops, I need to go as we speak. Give me a second…

Ah, I’m back. And with DIAGNOSIS this time 😊 about time, right?

Firstly, let me start with the most IMPORTANT: DO NOT WAIT TO TRY YOUR HOUSE REMEDIES; GO TO THE CLINIC! They will describe antibiotics for you and advise you; if their treatment doesn’t work, they ask you to return in seven days.

Going for my first time to the clinic (after it returned in years), the service was excellent, and when it kept returning after that seven days, but when I went there a few days ago, I had the most ill-treatment and mind you, no tablets was to my avail, I was only given a vaginal tablet. I told myself that if it still occurs after, I should return in seven days. Well, see you in seven then.

I’m reaching out for what I have picked up. (Nurses, google, and others…)

Don’t wipe from back to front but instead from front to back. Pee after sex (hides). DON’T HOLD IT FOR TOO LONG. Using particular condoms (you could be allergic). PLEASE DRINK A LOT OF WATER (to flash the bacteria out). Eat garlic, add Vitamin C, and take a probiotic. You can also drink electrolyte drinks low in sugar and unsweetened cranberry juice. Dehydration is a big problem.

And so, we are at the end of the decision; I am just as sad as you are, my lovely ones. But before I write my last point, she’s still on it…

Ladies, please talk about this freely, and if not with your best friend, cause she’s talking with your enemy Suzy, talk to your nearest health adviser. Not only will they give you the help and education around it, but they will also be confidential about it and hopefully not give you a judgemental look, which is unnecessary. Because of John, guys, this stressed me so much that I started to isolate myself, which is very unhealthy; hence, they said it goes with BP, and I am chronic to this date. I call it my imperfect condition because I can’t shake it off; now, I have two things: love and clinging to me. UTI and high blood pressure. Lol

Hopefully, I will get the proper medical practitioners to cure me someday. As of now, I am counting off my seven days as my back has been giving me hell probs ever since my return two years ago.

I hope this was a help! Oh, and remember: SLAY HYDRATED! YIP look good while drinking the water. Wink 😊