Cystitis is a common urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects the bladder. It is more common in women than men because women have a shorter urethra (the tube that allows urine to leave the body) making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder and cause infection.

The most common cause of cystitis is bacteria and around 95% of cases are caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). Bacteria are commonly found around the vagina and the anus and both are close to the opening of the urethra, which makes it easy for bacteria from stool, or during sex, to enter.

Sometimes cystitis will go away on its own, but antibiotics may be needed if the symptoms are particularly severe or if they last for a long time.

What is interstitial cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis is a poorly understood condition, with bladder inflammation that causes pain, pain in the pelvis, and pressure in the bladder. The pain can be mild to severe. It can also make you want to pee more often, and in smaller amounts.

The symptoms of cystitis include:

• pain, burning or a stinging sensation when you pee
• needing to pee more often and more urgently than usual
• dark, cloudy, or strong-smelling pee
• pain in your lower tummy

How long does cystitis last?

Mild cystitis infections will usually go away on their own within a few days. If you need antibiotics to clear the infection, you’ll usually notice your symptoms have gone away within 1 to 3 days.

How to check if you have cystitis

You can check if you have cystitis with an at-home UTI TestCard. All you need to do is collect a pee sample, use the UTI test strips that come with the pack to check your sample and use the TestCard app to receive your results within a couple of minutes.

You can request a UTI TestCard on its own or with a course of nitrofurantoin from ehealthguidance Online Doctor.

The main cause of cystitis is bacteria from stool entering the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, and making its way to the bladder.

Several things can increase your risk of getting cystitis, such as:

• having sex
• being pregnant
• wiping from back to front after going to the toilet
• menopause
• having diabetes
• a history of UTIs
• kidney stones
• difficulty emptying your bladder

Why do I keep getting cystitis?

Some people get cystitis often, which is known as recurrent cystitis. This when you get more than one infection in a 6 month period.

The most common reasons for getting cystitis on a regular basis, include:

• not recovering properly from cystitis in the past
• not emptying your bladder properly
• having sex too soon after having cystitis
• your immune function not working properly
• using some certain soaps, deodorants, wipes, talc, and bubble baths

The main treatment for cystitis is a course of specific antibiotics called nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurantoin is used to treat urinary tract infections and most people feel better within a few days of starting treatment.

Can cystitis clear up on its own?

Mild cases of cystitis will usually clear up on their own within a few days. However, if your symptoms get worse or they do not improve, you may need antibiotics to stop the infection from travelling to your kidneys.

Do over-the-counter treatments work?

Some people take over-the-counter treatments like cystitis sachets to help relieve their symptoms. Not all are proven to work, but may be worth trying:

• Cystitis sachets: Over-the-counter sachets that contain potassium citrate or sodium citrate. They can be effective at relieving the symptoms of cystitis if no bacterial infection is present by making your urine less acidic.
• Cranberry juice: Some people drink cranberry juice to prevent cystitis but there is no evidence it can treat it once the infection has started. Anyone who has interstitial cystitis should avoid cranberry juice because it can make your symptoms worse.
• Lemon barley water: Diluted barley water also helps to change the acidity of your urine and helps to flush out toxins. It naturally contains citrate, one of the ingredients in cystitis relief sachets.
• Painkillers: You can take mild painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have a lower UTI to help manage any pain or discomfort.
• Probiotics: Some research shows that women who took probiotics reduced the rate of UTIs by 76%, resulting in a 90% drop in antibiotic use.

Can cystitis come back after treatment?

Yes, cystitis can come back after treatment, especially if you do not finish your course of antibiotics. Some people also experience frequent cystitis infections or a condition called interstitial cystitis (also known as bladder pain syndrome).

If you keep getting cystitis or experience any of the following symptoms, you should speak to a doctor:

• pelvic pain that does not go away
• changes in your peeing pattern which affects your daily life

How to relieve cystitis at home

There are things you can do at home to help manage mild cystitis symptoms, such as:

• take paracetamol up to 4 times a day to manage pain or discomfort
• drink water
• avoid sex
• avoid drinks that can irritate your bladder such as fruit juice, coffee, fizzy drinks, and alcohol
• hold a hot water bottle over your tummy
• pee often and don’t hold it in

If you get recurrent cystitis or want to avoid getting it, there are several things you can do, including:

• take showers rather than baths
• avoid using perfumed soap or bubble bath to wash your genitals
• pee when you need to rather than holding it in and try to fully empty your bladder
• always wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet
• pee as soon as you can after sex
• wear cotton panties
• drink plenty of water throughout the day
• avoid drinking lots of coffee and alcohol
• wash the skin around the vagina with plain water
• avoid using spermicide with condoms or diaphragms