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In brief...

Cystitis is a very common bacterial infection of the bladder. It is an inflammation of the water passage and of the bladder and is common in girls and women. It can happen to you when bacteria from the skin finds its way up to the bladder. You can get it because you have had sex but you can't give it to someone you are having sex with. It is rare for boys or men to get it and if they do they should get themselves seen by a doctor. GP's treat many cases of cystitis. It is easy for us at SHAC to diagnose and treat cystitis. You can also get good treatments from your pharmacist.

 

 

 

Why do some people get cystitis?

There is often no obvious reason why some people get cystitis. Sometimes it can occur after sex, even from heavy petting, when the bacteria that cause cystitis can be transfered to the water passage. The bacteria can also be spread from the anus, which is why girls and women should wipe 'from front to back' after going to the toilet.

 

 

 

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of cystitis include:

• An almost constant feeling of wanting to urinate even though you might not need to go.
  
  

• A burning sensation when you urinate.
  
  

• Your urine might be cloudy or have some blood in it.
  
  

• A dragging ache in the lower back or abdomen.

 

 

What should I do before coming to SHAC?

To relieve symptoms:

• Drink lots of plain water, or cranberry juice, or barley water to flush out the bacteria and dilute your urine so that it doesn't sting so much. Try to drink a pint of water as soon as you recognise the symptoms, then drink another half pint every 20 minutes for about three hours.
  
  

• For the back or tummy pain, wrap a 'not too hot' hot-water bottle in a towel, so it doesn't burn you, and put it between your thighs or over your lower back.
  
  

• Take some of your usual painkillers, e.g paracetamol.
  
  

• Rest and relax.
  
  

• You can also get treatments for cystitis from your pharmacist.

 

 

Should I seek medical advice about cystitis?

You should seek advice about cystitis from your general practitioner, or a genitourinary medicine clinic, such as SHAC at Clinic 1A, if:

• You are a boy or man. Cystitis is rarer in men and can be more difficult to self-treat, even if you have had it for only less than a day.
  
  

• You have had cystitis for more than a day or two.
  
  

• You have had more than one attack of cystitis recently.
  
  

• You have cystitis and are also pregnant, you are more likely to get a kidney infection.
  
  

• You have blood in your urine.
  
  

• You have other symptoms such as a vaginal discharge.
  
  

• You think your cystitis symptoms could be caused by another infection.

 

 

What tests can you offer at SHAC?

At the clinic we will ask you to produce a urine sample which we can test for bacteria. There might be other reasons why you have cystitis so we may also send a sample away for testing to identify them.

 

 

 

What treatment can you get at a pharmacist or from a doctor?

You can try the treatments that your pharmacist can sell you. A doctor might prescribe you antibiotics to clear up the infection and prevent its spread. You might be advised to avoid sex until the infection has cleared up.

 

 

 

How can I avoid getting it again?

There are some simple things you can do to reduce the chances of getting cystitis:

• Drink at least three pints of liquid, especially plain water, a day.
  
  

• Go to the toilet as soon as you need to.
  
  

• Each time you pass water try to empty your bladder completely.
  
  

• After going to the toilet always wipe 'from front to back'.
  
  

• If you tend to get cystitis after sex it might help if you and your partner both wash your genitals and also urinate before and after sex. Using a lubricant during sex can also help.
  
  

• Some people recommend drinking a glass of cranberry juice daily.

 

 

 

 

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