Host Melissa Kramer interviews Dr. Krystal Thomas-White, a leading researcher at Stanford University, to explore the links between chronic UTI, recurrent UTI, and bladder health through the lens of urinary microbiome research.

Dr. Krystal discusses how new findings challenge the long-standing belief that the bladder is sterile. She explains how current diagnostic methods often miss key bacteria, leaving many patients without answers despite persistent symptoms.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone dealing with ongoing urinary symptoms or navigating the uncertainty of chronic and recurrent UTIs.

Tune in to understand why your symptoms matter—even when your test says otherwise.

 Key Takeaways:

• Standard urine culture tests often only detect E. coli, missing a wide range of other bacteria that may be contributing to infection. As many as 1 in 5 patients with symptoms get a negative result due to these limitations.
• Beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus are shared between the vaginal and bladder environments. A healthy vaginal microbiome supports long-term bladder health and can reduce infection risk.
• While probiotics don't reach the bladder directly, they can reduce E. coli in the gut, creating downstream effects that benefit the urinary tract and reduce UTI recurrence.

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.