Cystitis

Cystitis | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Kidneys, bladder and prostate Cystitis Cystitis About cystitis Symptoms of cystitis Causes of cystitis Treating cystitis About cystitis Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection. Its acommon type of urinary tract infection (UTI) , particularly in women, and is usually more of a nuisance than a cause for serious concern. Mild cases will often get better by themselves within a few days. However, some people experience episodes of cystitis frequently and may need regular or long-term treatment. Theres also a chance that cystitiscould lead to a more serious kidney infection in some cases, so its important to seek professional advice ifyour symptoms dont improve. Signs and symptoms of cystitis The main symptoms of cystitis include: pain, burning or stinging when you pee needing to pee more often and urgently than normal urine thats dark, cloudy or strong smelling pain low down in your tummy feeling generally unwell, achy, sick and tired Possible symptoms in young children include a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above, weakness, irritability, reduced appetite and vomiting. Read more about the symptoms of cystitis When togetprofessional advice Speak to your pharmacist if you think you may have cystitis or symptoms of a urine infection. Women who have had cystitis before dont necessarily need to see their GP if the condition returns, asmild cases often get better without treatment. You can try theself-help measures, or ask your pharmacist for advice. Pharmacy First Scotland: Urinary infection treatment from your pharmacy Women over 16 with symptoms of a mild urinary infection can get advice and treatment directly from their pharmacist through the Pharmacy First Scotland service. Your pharmacist may be able to provide you with treatment to clear the infection, although there may be situations where they will recommend you see your GP. Find your local pharmacy on Scotlands Service directory. Search for a pharmacy near you You should see your GP if: your symptomsdont start to improve within a few days you get cystitis frequently you have severe symptoms, such asblood in your urine youre pregnant and have symptoms of cystitis youre a man and have symptoms of cystitis your child has symptoms of cystitis Your GP should be able to diagnose the problem by asking about your symptoms. They may test a sample of your urine for bacteria to help confirm the diagnosis. What causes cystitis? Most cases are thought tooccur when bacteria that live harmlessly in the bowel or on the skin get into the bladder through the urethra (tube that carries urine out of your body). Its not always clear how this happens, but itcan be caused by: having sex wiping your bottom aftergoing to the toilet particularly if you wipe from back to front inserting a tampon or urinary catheter (a thin tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder) using a diaphragm for contraception Women may get cystitis more often than men because their anus (back passage) is closer to their urethra, and their urethra is much shorter, which means bacteriamay be able toget into the bladder more easily. Read more about the causes of cystitis Treatments for cystitis If you see your pharmacist with symptoms of cystitis you can be treated under the Pharmacy First Scotland service. If you are female over 16 with signs of a mild urine infection, the pharmacist may offer you a course of antibiotics to treat the infection where appropriate. These should start to have an effect within a day or two. If youve had cystitis before and dont feel you need to see your pharmacist or GP, you may want to treat your symptoms at home. Until youre feeling better, it may help to: take paracetamol or ibuprofen drink plenty of water hold a hot water bottle on your tummy or between your thighs avoid having sex Some people find it helpful to try over-the-counterproducts that reduce the acidity of their urine (such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate), but theres a lack of evidence to suggest theyre effective. If you keep getting cystitis, your GP may give you an antibiotic prescription to take to a pharmacy whenever you develop symptoms, without needing to see yourdoctor first. Your GP can also prescribe a low dose of antibiotics for you to take continuously over several months if necessary. Read more about treating cystitis Preventing cystitis If you get cystitis frequently, there are some things you can try that may stop it coming back. However, its not clear how effective most of these measures are. These measures include: not using perfumed bubble bath, soap or talcum powder around your genitals  use plain, unperfumed varieties having a shower, rather than a bath  thisavoids exposing your genitals to the chemicals in your cleaning products for too long going to the toilet as soon as you need to pee andalways emptying your bladder fully staying well hydrated drinking plenty of fluids may help to stop bacteriamultiplying in your bladder always wiping your bottom from front to back when you go to the toilet emptying your bladder as soon as possible after having sex contraception instead wearing underwear made from cotton, rather than synthetic material such as nylon, andnot wearing tight jeans and trousers Drinking cranberry juice has traditionally been recommended as a way ofreducing your chances of getting cystitis. However,large studies have suggested it doesnt make a significant difference. Symptoms of cystitis Cystitis can cause problems with peeing and make you feel unwell. Symptoms of cystitis in adults Cystitis in adults can cause: pain, burning or stingingwhen you pee needing to pee more often and urgently than normal feeling like you need to pee againsoon after going to the toilet urine thats 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 doesnt usually cause a high temperature (fever). If you have a temperatureof 38C (100.4F) or above and pain in your lower back or sides, it may be a sign of a kidney infection . Symptoms of cystitis in children It can be difficult to tell whether a child has cystitis, because the symptoms can be vague and young children cannot easily communicate how they feel. Possible symptoms of cystitis in young children may include: ahigh temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above weakness and tiredness irritability reduced appetite vomiting Childrenwith cystitis can sometimes also have symptoms usually found in adults, such aspain whenpeeing, peeing more often than normal and pain in their tummy. When to seeyour GP You should see your GP if you or your child have symptoms of cystitis for the first time. Cystitis isnt usually a cause for serious concern, but thesymptoms canbe similar to several other conditions, soits important to get a proper diagnosis. If youre a woman who has had cystitis before, you dont necessarily need to see your GP again. Cystitis is very common in women and mild cases often get better on their own. Speak to a pharmacist if you need any advice about treating cystitis . However, you should see your GP if your symptoms are severe or dont start to get better in a few days, you get cystitis frequently,or youre pregnant. Children and men should always be seen by a GP if theyhave symptoms of cystitis, as the condition is less common and could be more serious in these groups. Causes of cystitis Cystitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, although it sometimes happens when the bladder is irritated or damaged for another reason. Bacterial infections Mostinfections are thought tooccur when bacteria that live harmlessly in the bowel or on the skin get into the bladder through the urethra (tube that carries urine out of your body) and start to multiply. Cystitis is much more common in women than men, probably because the anus (back passage) is closer to the urethra in women and the urethra is much shorter. Its not always obvious how the bacteria get into the bladder, but it can be caused by: having sex wiping your bottom aftergoing to the toilet particularly if you wipe from back to front inserting a tampon or urinary catheter (a thin tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder) using a diaphragm for contraception What can increase yourrisk? There are a number of things that can increase your chances of developing an infection in your bladder. Not being able to empty your bladder If youre unable to empty your bladder fully, any bacteria that get inside may not be flushed out when yougo to the toiletand can multiply more easily. You may not be able to empty your bladder fully if: you have a blockage in your urinary system, such as a bladder stone youre pregnant, as thebaby may be pressing on your bladder (in men) you have an enlarged prostate gland that presses on the urethra Menopause For women whohave been through the menopause , or are going through it, the lining of the urethra can shrink and become thinner because ofa lack of the hormone oestrogen. The natural balance of bacteria in the vaginamay also change, which can allow potentially harmful bacteria to become more common. Thiscan make the urethra more vulnerable to infection, which could spread into the bladder. Diabetes Youre more likely to get cystitis if you have diabetes  a condition where the level of sugar in your body becomes too high. High levels of sugar in your urine can provide a good environment for bacteria to multiply, so any bacteria that get into the bladder are more likely to cause cystitis. Other causes of cystitis Cystitis can also be caused by damage or irritation to the urethra and bladder. This can be the result of: friction from sex chemical irritants, such as those in perfumed soap or bubble bath damage caused by acatheter or surgery on your bladder radiotherapy to your pelvis or treatment with certain chemotherapy medicines awomans genitalshaving beendeliberately cut or changed for cultural, religious and social reasons (an illegal practice called female genital mutilation or FGM ) Cystitis has also been linked to recreational use of the drug ketamine. Treating cystitis Mild cystitis will usually clear up on its own within a few days, although sometimes you may need to take antibiotics. See your GP for advice and treatment if: you have symptoms of cystitis for the first time your symptomsdont start to improve within a few days you get cystitis frequently you have severe symptoms, such as blood in your urine youre pregnant and have symptoms of cystitis youre a man and have symptoms of cystitis your child has symptoms of cystitis Women who have had cystitis before dont necessarily need to see their GP if the condition returns, asmild cases oftenget better without antibiotics . You can try the self-help measures or ask your pharmacist for advice. Things you can try yourself If youve had cystitis before and dontfeel you need to see your GP, the following advice may help to relieve your symptoms until the condition clears up: take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen always read the medicine information leaflet beforehand to check whether you can take it, and check with your pharmacist if youre not sure drink plenty of water  its been suggested this may help flush the infection out of your bladder and some people find it helpful, although its not clear how effective it actually is use a hot water bottle  holding a hot water bottle on your tummy or between your thighs may reduce any discomfort dont have sex until youre feeling better, becauseit may make the condition worse Some people find drinking cranberry juice or using products that reduce the acidity of their urine (such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate) reduce their symptoms, but theres a lack of evidence to suggest theyre effective. These products are also not suitable for everyone. Check with your GP or pharmacist before trying themif youre taking any other medication. Antibiotics In some cases, your GP may prescribe acourse of antibiotics. This will usually involve taking a tabletor capsule 2 to4 times a day for 3 days. Antibiotics should start to have an effect quite quickly. Return to your GP if your symptoms havent started to improve within a few days. Most people wont have any side effects from antibiotic treatment, but possible side effects can include feeling or being sick, itching , a rash and diarrhoea . Ifcystitis keeps coming back If you keep getting cystitis (known as recurrentcystitis) your doctor may prescribe stand-by antibiotics or continuous antibiotics. A stand-by antibiotic is a prescription you can take toa pharmacy the next time you have symptoms ofcystitis, without needing to visit your GP first. Continuous antibiotics are taken for several months to prevent further episodes of cystitis. These may be prescribed: if cystitis usually occurs after having sex  you may be given a prescription for antibiotics to take within 2 hours of having sex if cystitis is not related to having sex  you may be given a low-dose antibiotic to take for a trial period of 6 months Your doctor may also recommend some measures you can take to prevent cystitis, although its not clear how effective these are. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 01 December 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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