Beyond the Symptoms | An Expert Interview Series by LUF | Live UTI Free

Join host Melissa from Live UTI Free as she speaks with Dr. Indira Mysorekar, a pioneer in urinary tract infection research whose lab uncovered how Escherichia coli can hide in reservoirs within the bladder and then re‑emerge to trigger recurrent UTIs. Together, they explore how bladder health differs between people assigned female at birth and those assigned male, how menopause and chronic inflammation increase UTI risk, and what the future of diagnostics and care might look like. Whether you’re battling recurrent UTIs, living with chronic urinary symptoms, or just want to understand the science behind bladder‑health issues, this episode offers insight, support, and actionable ideas grounded in research.3 Key TakeawaysDr. Mysorekar explains that in many recurrent UTI cases, bacteria aren’t simply coming and going; they may persist hidden within bladder tissue in what she calls “quiescent intracellular reservoirs,” then re‑emerge to cause symptoms.Chronic bladder inflammation (even in the absence of a classic culture‑positive infection) can damage the bladder’s barrier cells, turning “normal” urine into an irritant and priming the bladder for future infection.The “female bladder” (people with female anatomy) is biologically distinct (and under‑researched) compared to the male bladder; menopause and hormone changes significantly raise the risk of recurrent UTIs, so care needs to look beyond “take antibiotics and go home.”Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel for a video format.

In this episode of the Live UTI Free Podcast, host Melissa Kramer talks with Professor Chris Harding, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Urology at Newcastle University.They explore the VESPER clinical trial, a landmark study for people with recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs) who haven’t improved with first-line prevention. Together, they discuss how bladder instillations work at home, why this trial focuses on real-world symptoms rather than lab culture results, who can participate, and how the findings could inform future care guidelines across the UK.Key TakeawaysThree prevention options tested side by side. The VESPER trial compares daily oral antibiotics, bladder-administered gentamicin, and GAG-layer replacement therapy, designed to strengthen the bladder’s natural protective coating.Targeted treatment results in fewer whole-body side effects. Delivering medicine straight into the bladder keeps it where it’s needed most. In earlier studies, gentamicin wasn’t detected in the bloodstream, suggesting a low risk of systemic side effects.Measuring what matters most. Instead of relying on unreliable culture tests, success is defined by symptoms and treatment outcomes, reflecting how people actually experience UTIs in daily life.If you or someone you support meets the criteria and is in the UK, discuss a referral specifically for the VESPER trial with your GP.Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel for a video format.

In this episode, host Melissa Kramer speaks with Amanda Burkardt and Dr. Mayukh Das from Phiogen, a biotechnology company developing bacteriophage (phage) therapeutics for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). They describe how their novel approach utilizes targeted viruses to eliminate UTI-causing bacteria, without harming the microbiome. You’ll hear how Phiogen’s science tackles the most challenging cases, including chronic and antibiotic-resistant UTIs, and why they’re inviting patients to help shape the future clinical trial that Phiogen will be running.If you’ve ever wondered whether phage therapy could be a solution for your chronic UTI, especially if you’ve struggled with negative cultures, biofilms, or treatment resistance, this episode is for you.🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How phage therapy works, and why it’s different from antibioticsWhy recurrent UTI patients, especially those with antibiotic resistance or biofilms, may benefit most from phage therapyWhat’s happening behind the scenes to bring an “off-the-shelf” phage treatment to clinical trialsThe current limitations (e.g., E. coli-only focus) and plans for expanding phage therapy accessHow YOU can shape the upcoming clinical trial by joining the patient surveyWant to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel for a video format.

In this episode of the Live UTI Free Podcast, Melissa speaks with Dr. Lindsay Burnett, a physician-scientist in urogynecology, about the complex relationship between pelvic floor disorders, the urinary microbiome, and recurrent UTI symptoms.Dr. Burnett draws from her clinical and research experience to unpack the often misunderstood differences between acute, recurrent, and chronic UTIs. She also explains how urinary symptoms can be influenced by prolapse, incontinence, urethral sensitivity, and even gut health.This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating chronic UTI symptoms, especially those who’ve felt dismissed or misdiagnosed. Dr. Burnett offers a patient-centered approach rooted in science and lived experience, addressing the fundamental questions patients ask but rarely get answered.Key Takeaways:UTI testing and diagnosis are broken, but evolving. Standard urine cultures often miss key pathogens, yet they remain the most widely used method. Dr. Burnett explains why this happens and what newer options (like expanded cultures or catheterized samples) can reveal.Pelvic floor disorders can directly impact UTI risk. Conditions like prolapse or poor bladder emptying may not cause infections on their own, but they create an environment that makes UTIs more likely and are often overlooked.Care must be collaborative when the evidence is unclear. When guidelines don’t reflect patient experiences, clinicians and patients need to “walk into the unknown together,” exploring options like intravesical antibiotics, pelvic floor physical therapy, and trial-and-error treatments based on symptom patterns.Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel for a video format.

In this episode of the LUF podcast, host Melissa Kramer sits down with Dr. Nick Parkinson, Scientific Director at the UK-based Systems Biology Laboratory. Driven by a personal experience with his young daughter’s recurring, culture-negative UTIs, Dr. Parkinson’s team developed a groundbreaking DNA‑based test that bypasses traditional culture and PCR methods. Using nanopore sequencing, they analyze urine and vaginal samples directly, identifying bacteria, yeasts, viruses, plasmids, and phages with precision and speed. Standard UTI tests often miss infections entirely. Dr. Nick Parkinson shares how his team used nanopore DNA sequencing to detect hidden bacteria, including rare strains like Tinnitignum charliei, that culture and PCR can’t find. This advanced method reveals not just what's present, but how each strain behaves and resists treatment. He also explains why testing both urine and vaginal samples is crucial for uncovering hidden reservoirs that may be causing recurrent UTIs.What You’ll Learn from This EpisodeWhat limits current UTI tests like culture and PCR, and how nanopore sequencing overcomes them.Why matching the strain, not just the species, matters for understanding how UTI bugs behave and resist treatment.How this tool may reshape both diagnosis and treatment planning, including antibiotic guidance and recognition of underexplored conditions like overgrowth syndromes.Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel for a video format.

Guest host Jess Price, Patient Involvement Advisor at Live UTI Free, sits down with naturopathic doctor Carley Akehurst to unpack a powerful new resource for chronic UTI patients: the My UTI History Form.As a chronic UTI patient herself, Jess brings the lived experience perspective to this conversation, asking the questions many patients wish they had the confidence or clarity to ask in the clinic. Together, she and Dr. Akehurst explore how this patient-developed form can transform clinical conversations, reduce the emotional weight of sharing your story over and over, and help you advocate for the care you deserve.🔗 Download the form and explore more tools at liveutifree.com🎧 What You’ll Learn:How to use the My UTI History Form to streamline and strengthen communication with your clinician.Why listing your treatment goals can shift the dynamic of your care in empowering ways.Practical ways to approach a new clinician with your prepared form, without feeling dismissed or overwhelmed.Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel for a video format.

Host Melissa Kramer interviews Dr. Nicholas Sanford, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Assistant Laboratory Director at MicroGenDX, to explore how advanced molecular testing is transforming the landscape of UTI diagnosis. If you’ve ever had UTI symptoms but were told your test was “negative,” this episode explains why standard tests like dipsticks and cultures often miss infections—and what other options are available.Dr. Sanford shares how MicroGenDX’s qPCR + NGS testing approach offers greater sensitivity and faster results, even detecting bacteria in biofilms or deep within bladder tissue. With over a million urological samples processed, their data is helping shape better care for patients with chronic and recurrent UTIs.Key Takeaways:Learn why cultures and dipsticks can fail, especially for those with chronic symptoms, and how molecular methods pick up what others miss.Gain a clear understanding of how this dual method operates, including the detection of resistance genes and biofilm-related infections.Understand how to collect your sample properly, why your partner may need testing too, and what to know about testing after antibiotics.Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel for a video format.

Host Melissa Kramer interviews UK-based nutritional therapist Beverley Sarstedt on the role of nutrition, gut health, and individualized care in the recovery from chronic and recurrent UTIs. Beverley shares her journey from personal health crisis to clinical practice, and how working alongside chronic UTI experts, such as Ruth Kriz and Dr. Jessica Drummond, has shaped her approach. This episode explores the complexities of food sensitivities, microbiome health, histamine overload, and long-term antibiotic use, offering hope and clarity to those navigating persistent urinary symptoms.Learn more about Beverley’s work atnourishinginsights.comListen to learn:How food intolerances, SIBO, and histamine issues can mimic or worsen UTI symptomsWhat a bladder-friendly anti-inflammatory diet really looks like—and how to make it sustainableThe truth about probiotics, fermented foods, and D-mannose: when they help and when they might hurtWant to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel if you prefer video format.

In this eye-opening episode, host Melissa Kramer interviews Dr. Shaheen Khazali, a specialist who has performed over 4,000 endometriosis surgeries, on the complexities of endometriosis, especially when symptoms overlap with recurrent UTI and bladder pain.They explore what endometriosis really is, where it can appear (including in the urinary tract), how it may be mistaken for IBS or UTI, and why so many patients go years without a diagnosis. Dr. Khazali also shares current thinking on diagnosis methods, including upcoming biomarker tests, and clarifies the differences between surgical approaches, such as ablation versus excision.In this episode, you'll learn:Why endometriosis symptoms can be mistaken for UTIs, especially during urination or after sexual activityThe most common and uncommon locations where endometriosis can growHow hormone therapy and surgery can affect urinary and reproductive symptomsWhat to ask your doctor if you suspect you may have endometriosis and feel you're not being heard.Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel if you prefer video format.

Host Melissa Kramer interviews Dr. Catriona Anderson, a UK-based women’s health doctor and founder of a diagnostics lab focused on enhanced UTI testing. Together, they explore Hiprex—what it is, how it works, and its potential role in managing recurrent and chronic UTIs.Dr. Anderson breaks down the science behind this over-the-counter urinary antiseptic, explaining its dual-action mechanism, how it functions as both bactericidal and bacteriostatic, and why it stands out as a non-antibiotic option. The episode also provides practical guidance on taking Hiprex, managing side effects, and combining it safely with other therapies, such as vitamin C, D-mannose, and probiotics.3 Key Takeaways:Hiprex’s Dual Mechanism Makes It Unique: Hiprex activates in acidic urine and produces formaldehyde, which kills bacteria directly. It also prevents bacteria from multiplying, making it both bactericidal and bacteriostatic.Safer Long-Term Use with Careful Management: Hiprex has fewer side effects than long-term antibiotics and can be used safely for extended periods. Still, dosage and timing may need to be adjusted based on symptoms, pH level, and lifestyle factors.Better Testing is Essential: Standard urine culture often misses infections, especially in chronic cases. Dr. Anderson’s lab uses extended culture methods and more precise sample handling to uncover hidden bacteria.Want to learn more about urinary health? Visit LiveUTIFree.com for expert articles on the latest research, or check out our YouTube channel if you prefer video format.