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Cystitis
Cystitis treatment and prevention
Cystitis is a very common infection of the bladder or urinary system that causes a burning feeling or discomfort when you pee. It affects up to 80% of women at some point in their lives, so everyone should know what it is and how to relieve the symptoms.
What causes cystitis?
Cystitis starts when bacteria enter the body through the uretha (a short tube that carries pee from the bladder to outside the body). Women are much more likely to suffer from cystitis than men because this tube is shorter in a woman's body than in a man's.
It can be caused by:
- Sex: Friction during sex can cause damage and irritation to the uretha tube. Cystitis can sometimes be sexually transmitted.
- Bad hygiene habits when going to the toilet. It can be caused by bacteria that spreads from the bum to the vagina and then into the urethra and bladder. Always wipe from front to back.
- Tight trousers or nylon underwear irritating the skin. If you suffer from cystitis, stick to cotton knickers and baggy trousers or skirts.
- Not emptying the bladder fully. Going to the toilet in a hurry can cause pee to be left in the bladder and become infected by bacteria. Take your time and make sure to empty the bladder completely!
What are the symptoms?
- You might have a burning feeling when peeing or the feeling of needing to pee urgently even after just going to the toilet.
- Urine or pee can be cloudy, strong smelling or contain small amounts of blood.
- You can suffer from back pain or lower abdominal pain (stomach pain).
- Fever or feeling generally unwell.
Treatment
If you constantly suffer from cystitis, ask for a full check up into the cause. Your doctor can arrange for an x-ray or do tests to check what's causing the attacks.
What treatment can I get?
- Talk to your doctor for a diagnosis of the infection.
- Drink lots of water to flush out the infection. Half a pint every 20 minutes should work.
- Take a level teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (baking powder) ever hour for three hours to combat the burning feeling.
- If you're in severe pain, it can help to go to bed with a hot water bottle for a few hours.
- Your doctor might prescribe medication or antibiotics if the infection lasts several days.
- Sometimes cystitis can spread to the kidneys and make you seriously ill, so it's important to visit the doctor if you have the symptoms of cystitis.
How can I prevent cystitis?
- Use condoms during sex and anal sex.
- If cystitis often occurs after sex, you and your partner should both wash (just with water) before sex. Also, try using lubricant to lower the risk of friction.
- Pee immediately before and after having sex to flush out any dodgy bacteria.
- Always drink eight or more glasses of water a day.
- Pee at least six times a day.
- Try to avoid sugary drinks, alcohol and strong tea or coffee.
- Drink unsweetened cranberry juice.
- Wipe from front to back after going to the toilet, to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Don't use any strong soaps, creams, deodorants or powders in the vagina area: just cool water.
