Why Does Age Matter?

Lots of simple medications via pharmacists should be used with caution in the over 65s. As valdali points out and GPs take this into account.

I used to get it now and then, and if caught very early - as soon as the first symptoms appeared - I found that the cystitis relief sachets you can buy in supermarkets now now, would see it off very quickly.

The only time I needed antibiotics, was after a dose of it while on hols in Cyprus, when I couldn’t get the sachets anywhere, and nothing any pharmacist recommended was any good.

So it was a case of GP and ABs as soon as I was home, after a spoiled last couple of days. Needless to say, I don’t go anywhere without a supply of the sachets now, and always keep some at home.

As some replies above make clear, age matters because age makes a difference and sometimes that could be dangerous.

Hope you can get a quick GP appointment.

I think the standard antibiotic for UTIs is to be used with caution if over 65

I don't think it's exclusively female. But sepsis and/or confusion as a complication of UTI is quite common in the over 65's even if otherwise fit, also if the infection goes to your kidneys it's more likely to cause mild kidney failure in older people.
So I think although most cystitis is still uncomplicated, because there are these complications associated with it the GP needs to check for early signs of them before prescribing antibiotics & sending you away.

This happened to my SIL (mid 60s) and she was distressed by it. Is it some thing to do with being femail too?

I have heard that women over 64 shoukd only be prescribed by a gp. There is a medical reason why.

That sounds strange, my DH had a UTI and was prescribed antibiotics by the chemist and he is in his mid seventies.
I would have asked the chemist why this is the case. Or speak to your GP if you have one - we only ever get nurse practitioners but tbh they could probs also tell you why.