Stunning Netflix star reveals painful health battle after ‘hardest year of my life’
RIVERDALE star Lili Reinhart has opened up about suffering the “hardest year” of her life with a painful health battle.
The 28-year-old has told how she was filming for her new movie in Germany last year when she experienced the first symptoms that led to a diagnosis with interstitial cystitis.
Lili, who shot to fame as Betty Cooper in drama series Riverdale, The third night I’m there, I developed symptoms of a UTI.
“I’m like, ‘I’ve had UTIs before. I’m a woman. We all know how it feels‘.”
Lili told Self she was initially diagnosed with a “slight infection” and given antibiotics but the symptoms didn’t clear up.
It was only after returning to Los Angeles that she found out what was really going on.
She was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis – a condition resulting in an inflamed or irritated bladder wall – in October last year.
Writing on Instagram, Lili said: “Being diagnosed with interstitial cystitis while simultaneously searching for answers about a mysterious autoimmunity/inflammatory disease made 2024 the hardest year of my life.
She continued: “The most important thing I have taken away from this experience is the absolute need to advocate for your own health.
“Do not let a doctor gaslight you or diminish your pain. I hope the men & women out there struggling to find answers feel even the slightest bit seen by my experience.”
Lili was quickly praised by fans for her honest post.
One wrote: “Thank you for sharing your story, your interview really touched me.”
Another said: “Sending lots of love and well wishes.” And a third added: “You are so incredibly strong for going through this and even more for sharing it.”
Riverdale first aired on The CW in the US but UK fans can catch the teen drama on Netflix.
What is a UTI
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by E.coli bacteria – found in poo – entering the urinary tract.
The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra).
Women are more likely than men to pick up UTIs as they have a shorter urethra than men.
This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.
According to the NHS, things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:
- Having sex
- Pregnancy
- Conditions that block the urinary tract – such as kidney stones
- conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder – such as an enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children
- Urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)
- Having a weakened immune system – for example, people with diabetes or people having chemotherapy
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not keeping the genital area clean and dry
Check if it’s a UTI
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include:
- Pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria)
- Needing to pee more often than usual
- Needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia)
- Needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
- Pee that looks cloudy
- Blood in your pee
- Lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
- A high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- A very low temperature below 36C
Your pee may also be dark or smell. If this is your only symptom, it might be because you’ve not been drinking enough water.
What to do if you think you have a UTI
If you think you have UTI symptoms, you should speak to your GP to discuss treatment options.
Most people will need antibiotics.
Some people may be prescribed a ‘delayed antibiotic’, meaning they’ll be asked only to use it if their symptoms don’t go away after a certain amount of time.
If you keep getting UTIs, your GP might recommend you have a low dose of antibiotics over a long period of time or refer you to a specialist for more tests and treatments.
For women who have gone through menopause, there is evidence that vaginal oestrogen creams can reduce UTI symptoms.
Source: NHS