Cystitis
On the toilet every five minutes, peeing what felt like broken glass? Welcome to cystitis.
What is it?
Inflammation of the bladder and the urethra (urine tube), caused by irritants and bacteria that normally live in the bowel. It mainly affects women because the opening of their urethra is closer to the anus.
Causes
- Tight trousers and nylon underwear rubbing the skin
- Sex on a full bladder
- Not urinating soon after vigorous sexual activity
- Badly-fitting contraceptive diaphragms
- Chemicals - perfumed soap, bath oils, vaginal deodorants
- Hormone changes
Symptoms
- Pain, burning or stinging when you pass urine
- Dark or cloudy urine
- A frequent urge to pass urine, but only passing small amounts
- Generally feeling unwell, sick or feverish
- Pain in the back or lower abdomen
Self-help measures
- Drink lots of water to flush out the bugs and dilute the urine
- Start with a pint of water every hour for the first four hours
- Some women say drinking cranberry juice helps too
- Avoid strong tea, coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks
- Make the urine less acidic: buy special drink sachets from the chemist or make your own with a teaspoon of bicarbonate dissolved in a glass of water
- Paracetamol can ease the pain
- Don't 'hold on', pee as often as you need to, even if it hurts
- Avoid sex until you are completely better
When should I see a doctor?
Men and children with cystitis should always see a doctor. After a urine test, the doctor may give you antibiotics.Women should see a doctor if:
- They have blood in their urine
- Symptoms are no better after 24 hours of self-help treatment
- They feel feverish or have a temperature
- They get pain in their lower back
- There is severe abdominal pain
- The symptoms keep coming back
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