Cystitis
Cystitis
Cystitis is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects the bladder. It's a common problem, especially among women. In most cases, cystitis clears up on its own, though sometimes antibiotics are needed to treat it.
If you keep getting cystitis again and again, you may need regular or long-term treatment.
There's also a chance that cystitis could lead to a more serious kidney infection, so it's important to seek professional advice if your symptoms don't improve.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
When to get medical advice
Contact your GP practice urgently if you or your child:
- have a very high or low temperature – for example, you feel either hot or cold to touch or are shivering
- have pain in the lower tummy or in your back under the ribs
- are feeling confused, dizzy or lightheaded
- feel sick or are being sick – for example, you can’t keep food or fluids down
- have not had to pee all day or are showing other signs of dehydration
- have blood in your pee
If your GP practice is closed, phone 111.
Speak to your GP practice if you or your child:
- have symptoms of cystitis for the first time
- have symptoms of cystitis that have not improved within a few days
- have symptoms that have not gone away after treatment with antibiotics
- have severe symptoms of cystitis, such as severe pain in your lower tummy
- get cystitis frequently
- have symptoms of cystitis and you’re pregnant
- are male and have symptoms of cystitis
Causes
What causes cystitis?
Cystitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, though sometimes it happens because the bladder becomes irritated or damaged instead.
Women have a shorter urethra than men, which means bacteria find it easier to travel up into the bladder and cause an infection.
Things that can allow bacteria to reach the bladder include:
- having sex
- wiping after going to the toilet, particularly wiping from back to front
- inserting a tampon or a urinary catheter (a thin tube passed into the urethra to drain the bladder)
- using a diaphragm for contraception
- using spermicide with contraception
- a blockage in the urinary tract, such as kidney stones
- pregnancy
- conditions that make it hard to empty the bladder fully, such as an enlarged prostate in men
- having been through menopause
- diabetes
- having a weakened immune system
Treatment
Mild cystitis usually settles on its own within a few days, though sometimes antibiotics are needed.
If you have had cystitis before and it comes back, you do not necessarily need to see a doctor. Mild cases often improve without antibiotics. You can try the self-help steps below or ask your pharmacist for advice.
Things you can try yourself
If you have had cystitis before and don't feel you need to see a doctor, there are some things you can do to ease your symptoms until it clears up.
It may help to:
- take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the medicine leaflet first to check you can take it, and ask your pharmacist if you're unsure
- drink plenty of water
- use a hot water bottle. Holding it against your tummy or between your thighs may ease the discomfort
- avoid having sex until you feel better
- avoid drinks that can irritate the bladder, such as fruit juice, coffee and alcohol
- urinate frequently rather than holding it in
Some people find that drinking cranberry juice or using products that make urine less acidic, such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate, eases their symptoms. However, there is no solid evidence that these actually help or treat cystitis.
Getting help from a pharmacist
Your local pharmacist is a good first stop for cystitis. They can:
- advise you on how to manage your symptoms
- suggest a suitable medicine
- let you know if you need to see a doctor
If cystitis keeps coming back
If you get cystitis repeatedly (called recurrent cystitis), your doctor may prescribe stand-by antibiotics or a longer, continuous course.
A stand-by antibiotic is a prescription you keep at home and take to a pharmacy as soon as symptoms start, without needing to see a doctor first.
Continuous antibiotics are taken over several months to prevent further episodes. This approach may be recommended if your cystitis:
- tends to happen after sex, in which case you may be given antibiotics to take within 2 hours afterwards
- is not linked to sex, in which case you may be given a low dose antibiotic to take daily for a trial period of about 6 months
Prevention
If you often get cystitis, a few everyday habits can help keep it from coming back.
Do
- wipe from front to back after using the toilet
- empty your bladder as soon as possible after sex
- stay well hydrated: drinking plenty of fluids may help stop bacteria multiplying in your bladder
- have a shower rather than a bath, so your genitals are not exposed to the chemicals in cleaning products for too long
- go to the toilet as soon as you feel the urge to pee, and always empty your bladder fully
- wear underwear made from cotton rather than synthetic material like nylon
- keep the genital area clean and dry
- change soiled nappies or incontinence pads frequently
Don't
- do not use perfumed bubble bath, soap or talcum powder around your genitals
- do not use spermicide with a diaphragm or condoms. Try a lubricant without spermicide, or a different method of contraception
- do not hold your pee in if you need to go to the toilet
- do not wear tight jeans and trousers
- do not drink lots of alcohol or coffee, as they may irritate your bladder