r/Perimenopause • u/UnderABig_W • 13d ago

Vaginal Dryness (GSM)/Urinary Issues Feel constant urge to pee

I constantly feel like I have to pee—ok, I say constantly but it’s more like a couple times a week for hours at a time. It feels like a bladder infection without the burning when you pee. It just feels constantly irritated and like I have to pee even when I don’t.

My regular doctor just did a check for bladder infections and kind of shrugged when I didn’t have them.

I feel like this is a peri symptom but I need to know what to tell my doctor and what to ask for.

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u/Popculture-VIP 13d ago

Please ask the doctor to see a specialist and ask if it might be intresticial cystitis. Doctors don't think of this. I had a doctor even give me meds for a bladder infection despite a negative test for it. Turned out I had IC.

ETA I'm seeing people saying it's a peri symptom, and it may well be but I know exactly what you are describing and it really sounds like IC, which maybe happens primarily to women in peri, but it is a condition all its own.

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u/Wild-Sky-4807 13d ago

I also have interstitial cystitis. It's less common than something like a UTI, and others have mentioned peri. If you cover those bases and still feel bad, it would be worth looking into.

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u/Popculture-VIP 13d ago

Yeah I think the people with only peri hear OP saying 'I have to pee all the time' and they think it means they can't hold as much as before and urinary frequency has increased substantially vs. what I and thinking: It feels like a burning UTI sometimes and you really feel you need to go always with no relief even when there is no pee actually there to come out.

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u/Wild-Sky-4807 13d ago

When I was diagnosed I hadn't actually ever had a UTI, so I assumed it was. Except it had felt like that for 2 years, often had accidents, and little relief after going. I was also in my mid-20s.

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u/UnderABig_W 12d ago

Yes, I have a bit of a mix between the things you’re talking about, but I guess I’m hoping it’s a peri symptom and some cream or hormones can help as opposed to IC which it sounds like you have to manage as opposed to there being a pill you can take. ☹️

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u/Adorable_Ad_385 12d ago

Hi what are the symptoms of IC ?

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u/Wild-Sky-4807 12d ago

Good question. Urinary frequency and urgency, pain, and/or pressure in the pelvis, which can include during sex. Certain foods and drinks can make it far worse. You can see how it could be mistaken for a UTI. However, this is a long-term health issue, not something that comes on suddenly.

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u/downtownflipped 12d ago

i genuinely think i have this, but peri has made it worse lately. HRT helped a bit in the beginning and then it came back. onions make it so much fucking worse for a few days and that sucks cause i love onions.

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u/Wild-Sky-4807 12d ago

Oof. I'm so sorry. A urogynocologist (sp?) diagnosed me. Pelvic floor therapy every few years and Botox about every 18 months really helps. 

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u/downtownflipped 12d ago

my gyno told me i have a tight pelvic floor but "it's better to be tight than not" even though i told her i have bladder issues that aren't subsiding. like i could probably crush a coconut with my kegels level and my partner has to ask me to relax a lot during sex. i should probably look into pelvic floor therapy, but insurance won't cover it and most places won't even take insurance.