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My irritable bladder…..I may have found the culprit!

(83 Posts)
Sago Wed 05-Apr-23 15:29:54

I have developed a very irritable bladder, I can pee throughout the evening every 15 minutes or so, I then go to bed and cannot sleep because my bladder feels full, I end up drinking litres of water because I am dehydrated and I have had enough.

I have eliminated things from my diet; alcohol, caffeinated tea and seen a little improvement, last night however it all flared up again.
I am fairly sure the culprit is fresh tomatoes, who knew they were a huge irritant?

I’m using some tomato paste in this evenings supper so it will be interesting to see if it’s as bad a reaction.

Does anyone else suffer like this and if so what is the cause?

dumdum Sat 08-Apr-23 09:09:53

NICE guidance suggests oestrogen vaginal cream ( eg Vagifem) for UTI.

Northernlass Sat 08-Apr-23 11:16:42

I'm another advocate for Vagifem - it's magic stuff! My bladder problems were sorted very quickly

SuperTinny Sat 08-Apr-23 22:46:30

Lack of oestrogen is a known cause of irritable bladder. I felt very smug going through the menopause as I felt I was not suffering with any symptoms, at least nothing I could compare with other women. But having developed an irritable bladder I discussed it with my GP and went on HRT. It made such a difference!!
Tomatoes are high in salicylates though and can cause hives, stomach and bowel problems.

SynchroSwimmer Mon 10-Apr-23 23:35:00

For me strawberries are a major bladder irritant.

Mirren Wed 12-Apr-23 16:32:48

Georgesgran , Vagifem most certainly does help bladder problems in older ladies.
I prescribe it all the time although it's now available over the counter in the form of Gina, I believe.
What happens, after the menopause, when your oestrogen levels drop the vulval and vaginal skin thins and becomes " atrophic " .
It looks thin , pale , tight and sore . No natural lubricant is produced anymore.
This gives the well recognised symptoms of vaginal dryness and soreness.
However, the thinning and atrophy also extends to include the bladder lining , rendering it much more sensitive and also prone to urine infection.
The localised oestrogen in Vagifem replenishes the local mucosa of vulva , vagina and also bladder . This reduces sensitivity and means less frequent calls to pee .!
Hope that's helpful.

Sago Wed 12-Apr-23 17:28:17

Mirren Thank you for professional input.

It is obviously a very common problem.

I have been working this afternoon and had to meet and greet a lot of people, normally I would be in and out of the loo all afternoon but not a single visit between 1pm and 4.30!

The difference for me was huge.

Justwidowed Sat 08-Jul-23 18:00:44

Made in Yorkshire,
I too suffer with an overactive bladder and was struggling to reach the downstsirs bathroom ( along the landing, down the stairs,through the dining room ,along the hall and finally the bathroom ).
I then bought a camping toilet which is at the foot of the bed.It consists of a solid plastic frame containing a bucket.a proper
seat and a cover. An identical one hss been on sale in Aldi recently for £25. Mine was slightly more and has been a godsend. Definitely worth trying.