Cystitis

Cystitis is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects the bladder. It's common, particularly in women. Most of the time it gets better by itself, though sometimes it's treated with antibiotics.

If you have 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 if your symptoms don't improve, see a doctor.

Cystitis can make peeing difficult and leave you feeling unwell.

Cystitis in adults can cause these symptoms:

• pain, burning or stinging when you pee
• needing to pee more often and more urgently than normal
• feeling like you need to pee again soon after going to the toilet
• pee that's dark, cloudy or strong-smelling
• pain low down in your tummy
• feeling generally unwell, achy, sick and tired
• blood in your urine

In adults, cystitis doesn't usually cause a high temperature (fever). If you have a temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above and pain in your lower back or sides, it may be a sign of a kidney infection.

Children with cystitis can show these symptoms:

• a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
• weakness and tiredness
• irritability
• reduced appetite
• vomiting

Some children with cystitis also have the symptoms you usually see in adults. These can include pain when peeing, peeing more often than normal, and pain in the tummy.

Contact a doctor urgently if you or your child:

• have a very high or low temperature, for example you feel either hot or cold to touch, or you 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 you can't reach a doctor, call the 16263 health line.

Speak to a doctor 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

Mild cystitis usually clears up on its own within a few days, though sometimes you may need antibiotics.

If you're a woman who has had cystitis before, you don't necessarily need to see a doctor when it comes back. Mild cases often get better without antibiotics. You can try the self-help measures, or ask your pharmacist for advice.

If you've 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 the condition clears up.

It may help to:

• take over-the-counter painkillers, like paracetamol or ibuprofen (always read the medicine information leaflet first to check whether you can take it, and ask your pharmacist if you're not sure)
• drink plenty of water
• use a hot water bottle, because holding one on your tummy or between your thighs may reduce any discomfort
• avoid having sex
• avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder, like fruit juices, coffee and alcohol
• pee frequently

Some people find that drinking cranberry juice, or using products that reduce the acidity of their pee (such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate), reduces their symptoms. However, there's no evidence that they help symptoms or treat cystitis.

Talk to your local pharmacist about treatments for cystitis. A pharmacist can:

• give you advice on how to treat your symptoms
• suggest which medicine to take
• tell you whether you need to see a doctor about your symptoms

If you keep getting cystitis (this is called recurrent cystitis), your doctor may prescribe stand-by antibiotics or continuous antibiotics.

A stand-by antibiotic is a prescription you can take to a pharmacy the next time cystitis symptoms start, without having to see your doctor first.

Continuous antibiotics are taken for several months to prevent more episodes of cystitis. Your doctor may prescribe them if your cystitis:

• usually happens after sex, in which case you may be given a prescription for antibiotics to take within 2 hours of having sex
• is not linked to sex, in which case you may be given a low-dose antibiotic to take for a trial period of 6 months

Cystitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Sometimes the cause is an irritated or damaged bladder instead.

Women have a shorter urethra than men, so bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder and cause an infection.

Several things can bring bacteria to the bladder:

• having sex
• wiping your bottom after going to the toilet, particularly if you wipe from back to front
• inserting a tampon or urinary catheter (a thin tube put 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 difficult to empty the bladder fully, such as an enlarged prostate in men
• having been through menopause
• diabetes
• having a weakened immune system

If you get cystitis often, there are a few things you can try to stop it coming back.

• wipe from front to back after going to the toilet
• empty your bladder as soon as possible after sex
• stay well hydrated, because drinking plenty of fluids may help to stop bacteria multiplying in your bladder
• have a shower rather than a bath, because this avoids exposing your genitals to the chemicals in your cleaning products for too long
• go to the toilet as soon as you need 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 use perfumed bubble bath, soap or talcum powder around your genitals
• Don't use spermicide with a diaphragm or condoms. Try a lubricant (lube) that doesn't contain spermicide, or a different method of contraception
• Don't hold your pee in when you need to go to the toilet
• Don't wear tight jeans or trousers
• Don't drink lots of alcohol or coffee, as they may irritate your bladder