Bladder Issues in Menopause - The Hidden Bacteria You Need to Know

If bladder issues in menopause are keeping you from jumping for bone density or for jumping for joy. Or if laughing and sneezing or a need to consider hydration needs against access to a bathroom are real life and every day concerns you… we’ve got you today. 

Bladder issues in menopause don’t need to keep you from activities, and they may come with signs and symptoms that aren’t the obvious urgency, burning or leakage. The information here about testing beyond traditional options just might make you want to re-listen and share this one. 

 

My Guest:

Dr Kelly McCann is a board certified internist and pediatrician specializing in functional, integrative and environmental medicine. She graduated Brown undergrad, Tulane Med School, fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Her medical practice, the Spring Center, is located in Southern California. She hosted virtual summits on MCAS and can be found on many podcasts, summits and @drkellymccann.

 

Questions We Answer in This Episode:

• [00:09:09] What is a bacterial biofilm and how does that relate to bladder issues in women?
• [00:08:21] How do you know if you have a biofilm colonization?
• [00:13:26] Can you explain the testing technology and how it differs from a urinalysis and urine culture?
• [00:25:09] Other than UTIs and bladder issues, what might be some other signs that bacterial biofilms might be an issue? 
• [00:26:55] Are there other things that we should understand about this? (often associated with hypercoagulability which can mean an increased risk for heart disease)
• [00:30:58] Are there other options before or instead of antibiotics? If you personally got results back suggesting you do have bacteria, would you go the route of herbs or antibiotics? 
• [00:35:00] Cost of the test? And is it covered? 

 

Bacterial Biofilm as Bladder Issues in Menopause

 

What is a Bacterial Biofilm?

• Mucus-like structures where bacteria live, can be found in the mouth, nose, GI tract, vagina, etc.
• These bacterial “homes” protect microbes from detection in standard lab tests. That means you can have symptoms, but your test results still show “normal.”

 

What is Next Generation Sequencing?

• Gives a complete and accurate picture of what’s causing  your symptoms, even when your urinalysis and cultures are ‘normal’.
• Procedure:
  • Scans the DNA of everything present in your sample (e.g. urine).
  • Matches it to a vast DNA library of known organisms.
  • Identifies exactly which microbes are in your bladder, how many, and in what percentages.
  • Recommends treatment options by checking the medical literature for which antibiotics are effective against each bacteria.
• MicroGenDX does this test.

 

Signs You Might Have Biofilm Colonization:

• Chronic bladder symptoms (urgency, frequency, burning) without a confirmed UTI
• Recurrent UTIs that don’t resolve or keep returning
• “Normal” urine tests but ongoing discomfort
• Other unexplained inflammation-driven symptoms like fatigue, rashes, headaches, joint pain, and more.

 

Relation to Heart Disease:

• Bacteria can travel from brushing your teeth and can end up in your coronary arteries and bladder.
• Biofilms can trigger clot formation for individuals who are genetically predisposed to forming clots or fibrin mesh.
• Systemic inflammation risk for individuals with low-level bacterial colonization that their body

 

Connect with Kelly:

• Website - Dr. Kelly McCann
• Website - The Spring Center
• Facebook - Dr. Kelly McCann
• Instagram - @drkellymccann 

 

Other Episodes You Might Like:

• Previous Episode - Solving Sleep Issues with CBD and Other Perimenopause Symptom Solutions
• Next Episode - What Stem Cell Therapy Taught Me About Recovery, Mindset, and Reinventing Downtime
• More Like This - True Core Confidence: Revolutionizing Pelvic Floor Fitness After 40

 

Resources:

• Short & Easy Exercise videos in this 5 Day Flip Challenge.
• Don’t know where to start? Book your Discovery Call with Debra.