Cystitis is an infection of the bladder. Signs of cystitis include passing small amounts of urine frequently and a burning sensation on urination. Women are affected more often than men.
Urine is produced by each of your two kidneys. It drains into the bladder through tubes called ureters. When you pass urine, your bladder contracts, squeezing urine out of your body through a tube called the urethra.
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder due to an infection or irritation. Usually, it only affects the bladder and is known as a lower urinary tract infection (UTI). If the infection goes higher, to your ureters (the tubes from your kidneys to the bladder) or kidneys, this can be a more serious illness known as an upper urinary tract infection.
Around one in three women will have at least one bout of cystitis at some point before they are 24. Children and men can also get cystitis though it's not as common. Medical advice should be sought in these cases.
Symptoms of cystitis include:
Cystitis can be painful, particularly when passing or trying to pass urine, but mild cystitis usually clears up within four to nine days and symptoms should ease within two or three days (read on for advice about what you can do to treat cystitis). If you’re worried in any way and especially if you have severe pain and/or fever, see your GP as you may need treatment with antibiotics to clear up the infection.
The symptoms described earlier can also be due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia. If you think you may have an STI, it’s important to visit your GP or a sexual health clinic.
Cystitis is often caused by bacteria that get into the urethra from surrounding skin and travel up towards your bladder, causing infection and irritation. Most infections are caused by bacteria that normally live harmlessly in your bowel called Escherichia coli (or E. coli for short).
Women get cystitis more than men partly because in women, the urethra is nearer the opening of the back passage (anus) where bacteria from your bowel can collect. This makes it easier for bacteria to get transferred from the surrounding skin into the urethra. Also, the urethra is much shorter in women than it is in men, so there is a shorter distance for the infection to travel into the bladder.
You're more likely to get cystitis if you:
If you're a woman and in good health, you may not need to see your GP, as cystitis often clears up on its own with some self-care (see below). However, see your GP if:
Children and men who get cystitis should always see a doctor. Cystitis in men can be caused by an enlarged prostate, which needs to be checked. The signs of cystitis are much more difficult to spot in children – they may have a fever and feel unwell, for example. But if you suspect your child has cystitis, it's important to see the doctor to rule out any abnormalities of the urinary system to prevent kidney problems later on.
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and also for a sample of your urine. They may test your urine with a dipstick or send the sample to a laboratory for more detailed tests.
You can often manage cystitis yourself by:
always read the accompanying consumer medicines information leaflet, or talk to your pharmacist or GP if you have any questions.
Your GP may also prescribe a course of antibiotics to be taken as prescribed. If your symptoms don't clear up, contact your GP as some infections can be resistant to the antibiotics used.
If antibiotics don't work, it's also possible that you may have a type of cystitis called interstitial cystitis. This is a chronic (long-lasting) inflammation of the bladder wall that isn't caused by infection. Your GP will be able to give you more information and help you manage the condition.
There's some scientific evidence to show that drinking cranberry juice or taking capsules containing 200mg of cranberry extract can help preventing cystitis from coming back. However, it's not clear if cranberry extract works as a treatment for cystitis. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice before taking cranberry capsules or drinks, particularly if you're taking the blood-thinning medicine warfarin because cranberry also has potential blood-thinning effects. The interaction of these blood-thinning substances can increase your risk of bleeding. Avoid cranberry juices that contain lots of sugar, as sugar can encourage bacteria to grow, and too much sugar in your diet is also linked to other health problems.
If you get cystitis three or more times a year, your GP may give you a course of antibiotics to keep at home so you can start taking them as soon as you know you're getting a bout of cystitis. Alternatively, if you get repeated episodes, you may need to take a low dose of antibiotics for six to 12 months. If you get cystitis after having sex, your GP may advise you to take a single dose of antibiotics immediately after you’ve had sex to prevent an infection from developing.
Spermicides can increase your risk of getting cystitis, so ask your GP or family planning adviser about alternative methods of contraception.
For women who have been through menopause, creams containing oestrogen can be applied to the vagina and may reduce the risk of cystitis.
Although there isn’t a great deal of scientific evidence to back these measures, some people find that the following may help to prevent cystitis:
Some people find that certain triggers, such as tea or coffee, can make cystitis worse. If you notice any such triggers, try to avoid them.
National STI Prevention Program: Sexual Health Campaign
Find your local sexual health clinic
http://www.sti.health.gov.au/internet/sti/publishing.nsf
Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia
Car J. Urinary tract infections in women: diagnosis and management in primary care. BMJ 2006; 332: 94-97.
Chung A Arianayagam M Rashid P. Bacterial Cystitis in Women. Australian Family Physician. 2010; 39(5): 295-298.
Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Urinary tract infection (lower) - women. London: National Institutes for Health and Clinical Excellence. 2009 [Last updated Dec 2010, accessed 27 Jun 2011] Available from: http://www.cks.nhs.uk/urinary_tract_infection_lower_women
Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Urinary tract infection (lower) - men. London: National Institutes for Health and Clinical Excellence. 2009 [Last updated Jan 2010, accessed 27 Jun 2011] Available from: http://www.cks.nhs.uk/urinary_tract_infection_lower_men
Fihn SD, Acute Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection in Women. N Engl J Med. 2003; 349: 259-266.
NHS Choices. Cystitis. [online] Whitehall, London: NHS Choices [Last reviewed 30 Oct 2009, accessed 22 Jun 2011] Available from: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cystitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford handbook of general practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006:692-93
The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation. Interstitial cystitis/Painful bladder syndrome. [online] Birmingham, UK: COB Foundation. c2006 [ accessed 30 Jun 2011] Available from: http://www.cobfoundation.org/
The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation. Bacterial cystitis. [online] Birmingham, UK: COB Foundation. c2006 [ accessed 30 Jun 2011] Available from: http://www.cobfoundation.org/
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Urinary tract infection in children - diagnosis, treatment and long-term management. [online] 2007 [Last reviewed May 2011, accessed 22 Jun 2011] Available from: http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG54
Last published: 30 July 2011
Disclaimer
This information has been developed and reviewed for Bupa by health professionals. To the best of their knowledge it is current and based on reputable sources of medical research. It should be used as a guide only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.
Bupa Australia Pty Ltd makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. Bupa Australia is not liable for any loss or damage you suffer arising out of the use of or reliance on the information. Except that which cannot be excluded by law. We recommend that you consult your doctor or other qualified health professional if you have questions or concerns about your health. For more details on how we produce our health content, visit the About our health information page.
