Cystitis typically causes an urge to urinate, the need to pass urine frequently and a burning or stinging feeling when you urinate. Occasionally, cystitis can cause feverish symptoms, discomfort in your lower tummy and blood in your urine.

If the infection spreads to your kidneys then it will take longer for your symptoms to go away, usually more than a week. In this case you need to speak to a doctor if your symptoms are not gone within 48 hours, as it may be a sign that you need a different treatment.

The common symptoms of cystitis are:

• Pain or a stinging sensation when you urinate
• Needing to urinate often, but only passing small amounts each time
• Some pain behind the pubic bone or in the lower back
• Dark, strong-smelling urine
• Blood in your urine
• Pain in your belly or lower back
• Feeling feverish and tiired
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These cystitis symptoms usually indicate that you have cystitis, however they can also be caused by other medical conditions, including sexually transmitted infections. They could also point to vaginal thrush (in women) or prostatitis (in men).

If you suspect you might have a sexually transmitted infection, you can visit our sexual health clinic for advice, tests and treatments.

Other symptoms that may be present and indicate a more serious infection are:

• Severe pain behind the pubic bone or in the lower back
• Pain in the flanks (the sides of your lower back – where your kidney are located)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever (temperature over 38°C)
• Blood in the urine
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If any of the above symptoms are present you should consult a doctor as your infection may have moved up your urinary tract to your kidneys (called pyelonephritis) and require more serious treatment.

The main cause of cystitis is when certain bacteria, which usually live in your bowels or on your skin, get into your bladder and cause an infection. These bacteria infect the bladder by travelling up the urethra,, which is the tube that carries urine out of your body. It's more common in women than in men because women have a shorter urethra, located near to the anus, so it comes into contact with bacteria more easily.

There is usually no obvious reason why the urinary tract gets infected, although some women find that they develop cystitis after sex.In some women, bacteria can be spread by wiping from back to front after going to the toilet, inserting a tampon or using a diaphragm. Infections can also occur as a result of not emptying your bladder fully when you urinate. Pregnant women can sometimes find it hard to fully empty their bladders as pregnancy can lead to pressure on the pelvic area. Menopausal women are also at increased risk because they produce less oestrogen, meaning the lining of their bladder and urethra becomes thinner and more prone to damage.

Some of the other things that can increase your risk of cystitis include:

• Using a diaphragm as contraception
• Having a tube inserted in your urethra to drain the bladder (a catheter)
• If you are younger than 1 or older than 75
• Diabetes
• A weak immune system

Mild cystitis does not always require medical treatment. In many cases it will clear up on its own after a few days. You should drink plenty of water and refrain from sexual intercourse during this time. Over-the-counter painkillers can also be taken to help relieve pain or discomfort. The first time you get cystitis, however, you should always visit your GP. After this you will be familiar with the symptoms and be able to decide whether you require antibiotics or not.

If your symptoms are not improving or you think you would like to treat it medically, you can get a prescription for a course of antibiotics via our service. The first-choice treatment for cystitis is an antibiotic called Nitrofurantoin, which is available at Phrma Health.

Antibiotics are the fastest and most effective way to treat cystitis in women. You will find relief from burning and pain within 1 to 3 days. It takes a bit of time for it to go away completely, as the antibiotics do not work instantly. To help speed up this process you should drink plenty of water, pass urine as often as you need to, and avoid drinking coffee, alcohol, citrus juices and sugary drinks.

You will need to take antibiotics for at least 3 days. This might be a bit longer if you have a severe infection or for certain groups of people, like if you are pregnant. Always finish the full course of antibiotics to make sure that your infection goes away completely.

Trimethoprim

Trimethoprim used to be one of the most common antibiotics prescribed for cystitis, but has become less effective at treating cystitis due to antibiotic resistance. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence has determined trimethoprim is no longer the best treatment for cystitis.

Long Term Antibiotics

If you have had three or more episodes of cystitis in the last year or 2 episodes in the last 6 months, you should see your GP, as you may need additional tests and will possibly require long term antibiotics.

Treating Mild Cystitis

If you have mild symptoms that have just come on, then there are some ways you can treat your cystitis at home and help clear up the infection:

• Drinking lots of water
• Taking over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol
• Refraining from sex
• Soothing your discomfort with a hot water bottle
• Avoiding alcohol, fruit juice and caffeine
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Over the Counter Treatment

Cystitis Sachets

Cystitis sachets can be purchased over the counter and contain sodium citrate or potassium citrate, which help relieve cystitis symptoms. The sachets reduce how much acid you have in your pee, which stops the burning. The cystitis sachets do not kill any bacteria or fight infection, all they do is hide the symptoms, making them easier to manage.

Cranberry

One of the common cystitis treatments is drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements, which helps get rid of your symptoms. There is thought to be an ingredient in cranberries which can prevent the bacteria attaching to the wall of your bladder. The evidence for this is mixed.

Cystitis Painkillers

Pain and burning are the most common symptoms of cystitis. You can take over the counter medicines, such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain caused by cystitis.

Preventing Cystitis

There is no treatment that will stop cystitis for good, but you can take preventative measures which will reduce the risk of the bladder infection coming back.

These measures include:

• Avoiding perfumed bubble bath, soap, or talcum powder around your genitals
• Having a shower rather than a bath
• Emptying your bladder fully when you go for a pee, and as soon as you can after sex
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Wiping your bottom from front to back
• Wearing underwear made from cotton
• Avoiding tight jeans and trousers
• Wearing loose cotton underwear
• Avoiding constipation

Frequently Asked Questions