Product Overview and Giveaway: Cystex CLOSED

When my husband and I decided to try for a baby some years ago, I naively believed it would be a simple, basic process. Some wine. Perhaps some sexy new lingerie to spark "the mood". And of course the prerequisite bedroom time. What I didn't count on was being hindered by chronic urinary tract infections. It seemed that after every intimate rendezvous, I would experience the tell-tale burning and frequent urination. There's nothing more frustrating than feeling like you have to pee every two minutes but each time you go, you release just a few trickles. GRRR! After numerous trips to the gynecologist, internist and urologist, I was ultimately diagnosed with honeymoon cystitis. In other words, increased sexual activity was the root cause for my infections. But other causes of UTI's include:

• Dehydration - drinking enough water allows healthy urine flow to flush out bacteria
  
• Birth control methods - diaphragms and lubricants can cause irritation
  
• Exisiting genital infection - vaginitis can spread to the urethra
  
• Irritation to the urethra or its opening - friction from intercourse or chafing from clothing can cause this
  
• Abnormal anatomical structure
• Kidney stones - typically a result of chronic infections
  
• Menopause - bodily changes make you more susceptible to infection
  
• Poor posture and/or back injury or strain

Almost all women will experience a UTI at one point in their life - if not more - because of our short urethras (lucky us...NOT!). If you've managed to avoid one thus far, consider yourself lucky. UTI's account for more than 8 million doctor visits per year and are the second most common infection in the body.

The antioxidants from pure cranberry juice have been shown to prevent UTI's. Once an infection is present, however, cranberry juice is ineffective. Short of visiting the doctor for prescription antibiotics, there isn't much you can do. And in the meantime, you're in excruciating pain. I remember wishing there was a way I could self-administer an epidural so I wouldn't have to feel anything below my navel. It felt that bad.

Thanks to a new product on the market, the wait for that doctor's appointment won't have to be so agonizing.

Physician and pharmacist-recommended Cystex Urinary Pain Relief Tablets is the only over-the-counter (OTC) medication that has a dual-action formula to help manage urinary tract infections (UTIs) while waiting to see a doctor. Unlike other drug store medicines, Cystex helps to relieve the pain and burning associated with a UTI while also inhibiting the progression of the infection with an antibacterial. It is the only OTC urinary pain relief medicine to combine a key pain-fighting analgesic, sodium salicylate, with an effective antibacterial agent, methenamine, to help stop the pain and progression of a UTI. Additionally, Cystex will not change the color of the urine as some other OTC medications will.

I haven't tried this product yet since I haven't had a UTI recently (knock on wood) but I like knowing I have an option on hand that can give me much-needed relief while preventing the infection from getting worse. And not having fluorescent orange urine that looks as if I peed straight Gatorade is a huge bonus.

For those of you who are like me and suffer with recurrent UTI's, Cystex can also be used as a preventative! Just take a pill before any activities that trigger your infections to ward off the growth of bacteria.

You would think a company such as this is concerned with earning a profit and would avoid talk of prevention. After all, if everyone prevented UTI's, they'd be out of business. But Cystex is devoted to educating and improving the health of women. On their website, they provide a "Know Your Bladder Better" video series hosted by board-certified urologist and author Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler, who addresses some interesting facts about urinary health. For example, did you know that squatting in a public restroom can do more harm than good? Apparently, squatting clenches your pelvic muscles and prevents the full release of urine, which traps bacteria in the bladder and can lead to...you guessed it! A UTI. Your best bet is to line the toilet seat, sit down and just go for it.

They also have an "Ask the Urologist" column, in which you can submit a topic-related question to Dr. Kavaler yourself! Your Q&A may even be featured in the FAQ section.

BUY IT: Cystex is available at drug stores nationwide or online.

WIN IT: Cystex has kindly offered one reader a box of 40 tablets (ARV $9.25).



MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Cystex and tell me one thing you learned or what you like best about this product. Be sure to leave me your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest. Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

4.) Enter any of my other current giveaways and leave a comment telling me which one(s) you entered. (1 entry each)

Giveaway will end on October 30, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

NOTE: This product does NOT take the place of a medical professional or antibiotics. All infections must be treated with antibiotics and if you suspect you have a UTI, please consult your physician.

Disclaimer: I was offered this opportunity due to my membership at the PR Place. I was sent a 40-tablet box of Cystex from Laura at Robin Leedy & Associates as well as a $10 Amazon giftcard for reviewing this product.