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

If you’ve ever been told your urine test came back negative but you know something is wrong, this episode is for you. Host Melissa Kramer speaks with Professor Jenny Roan, Head of the Centre for Urological Biology at University College London (UCL), to get into the science that most people living with recurrent or chronic UTI desperately want to understand. From why the dipstick test misses so many real infections, to what’s actually happening inside the bladder wall when antibiotics stop wor...

Could hidden mold exposure or fungal overgrowth be aggravating your chronic UTI symptoms, even when standard urine cultures come back “negative”? In this episode of the Live UTI Free Podcast, host Melissa (CEO of Live UTI Free) speaks with Dr. Pamela Cipriano, a doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner in Connecticut who practices internal and functional medicine and works with patients experiencing chronic urinary tract infections, chronic bladder pain, mold toxicity, Candida overgrowth, and t...

In this episode of the Live UTI Free Podcast, host Melissa Kramer welcomes Dr. Henry Schreiber, instructor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, to explore the fascinating link between our gut microbiome, bladder health, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Dr. Schreiber specialises in understanding UTIs as a whole‑body problem (not just a bladder infection), and he shares insights on how the gut may serve as a reservoir for UTI‑causing bacteria, how inflammation and nervo...

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-...

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,...

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 ...

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-te...

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 o...

Host Melissa Kramer interviews Dr. Ashley Girard, a naturopathic doctor specializing in chronic UTI treatment, recurrent UTI prevention, and bladder health, on chronic UTI, bladder health, and naturopathic treatment. Dr. Girard shares how naturopathic medicine offers a personalized, root-cause approach to managing chronic UTIs—prioritizing long-term healing over temporary symptom relief. She highlights the role of herbal remedies, the importance of addressing inflammation, and how individuali...

Host Melissa Kramer, founder of Live UTI Free, interviews Dr. Brianne Grogan, a pelvic health expert on Chronic UTI, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, & Bladder Health. Dr. Grogan shares her personal journey with pelvic organ prolapse, demystifies the role of pelvic floor muscles in urinary function, and provides practical, body-positive strategies for managing symptoms that often accompany recurrent UTI, such as pelvic tension, incomplete bladder emptying, and discomfort during urination. Togeth...

Host Melissa Kramer Interviews Alina Filipe, a leading pelvic floor physiotherapist, on Chronic UTIs and Bladder Health. Together, they explore the overlooked connection between pelvic floor dysfunction and chronic urinary tract infections, offering practical, evidence-informed insights to help listeners find relief when antibiotics alone aren’t enough. If you’re frustrated by recurring UTIs, lingering symptoms, or want to understand better the anatomy that affects your bladder health, this e...

Host Melissa Kramer Interviews Dr. Sula Windgassen, a renowned health psychologist and expert in the psychology of chronic illness, on the Mind-Body Connection in Chronic UTI Healing. Dr. Windgassen opens up about her personal journey with recurrent UTIs and shares how integrating psychological strategies transformed her approach to bladder health and symptom management. This episode delves into the critical yet often overlooked mind-body connection in chronic illness, especially in those nav...

Host Melissa Kramer speaks to Dr. Angelish Kumar, board-certified urologist and founder of Women's Urology New York, in a powerful continuation of their discussion on chronic UTI, recurrent UTI, and overall bladder health. Dr. Kumar shares her clinical insights into diagnosing and managing persistent urinary symptoms, pelvic floor dysfunction, and long-term bladder inflammation. This episode offers practical guidance to help you determine whether your symptoms stem from an ongoing infection o...