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    		Pharmacy2U

    Cystitis in women

    • Every year, 1 –3 women out of 10 have an attack of cystitis
    • At any time, about 1 in 20 healthy women has bacteria in her bladder, without any symptoms. Only 10% of these progress to cystitis symptoms
    • In the USA, over 11 million women each year receive antibiotics for cystitis, costing over $1.6 billion (£1100 million)
    • In the UK, doctors write 5.5 million prescriptions for cystitis each year

    Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. There are two main types. The only sure way to tell the difference is by a urine test.

    Bacterial cystitis is caused by bacteria (germs). These bacteria, mainly Escherichia coli (E. coli for short), normally live in and around the anus (back passage). In men, the urethra goes along the length of the penis and is about 24 –30 cm long but, in women, it is only about 6 cm long. So in women bacteria on the skin can easily get into the bladder by using the short urethra as a ladder. This probably explains why cystitis is much more common in women than in men.

    Interstitial cystitis (also called painful bladder syndrome, non-bacterial cystitis, urgency and frequency syndrome) is inflammation of the bladder without any bacteria being present. Most sufferers (90%) are women. It can occur at any age, but is most common in women in their early 40s.

    Interstitial cystitis is a bit of a mystery – no one really knows what causes it.

    • One theory is that a substance called glycosaminoglycan is deficient in the bladder. This substance is part of the slimy layer that covers and protects the lining of the bladder.
    • Another theory is that it is a type of allergy, because cells common in allergy (mast cells) are present in the bladder wall in interstitial cystitis.

    Symptoms of cystitis
    The symptoms of cystitis are:

    • a burning, stinging or aching pain when you pass urine
    • a need to pass water very frequently, often only a small amount each time
    • bloody or cloudy urine (severe cystitis).

    Not all urine problems are cystitis. For example:

    • if you have soreness or itching around the opening of the urethra (pee hole) you might have a herpes infection, thrush or a chlamydia infection
    • if your only problem is having to pass urine frequently, you might have diabetes (especially if you are thirsty all the time), so see your doctor
    • if your main problem is having to rush to the toilet, you may have a continence problem.

    Bacterial cystitis. With bacterial cystitis , you usually experience only the burning pain and frequent urination. However, it is possible for the infection to travels upwards to the kidney. Fortunately, this is unusual. Infection in the kidney needs proper medical treatment, so see your doctor straight away if you also have:

    • blood (or a smoky appearance) in the urine
    • backache or stomach ache
    • fever and weakness.

    Interstitial cystitis. With interstitial cystitis the symptoms are diverse. You have to pass urine frequently, and maybe urgently, and passing the urine may be uncomfortable. You may notice discomfort in the lower abdomen when the bladder is filling (pelvic pain), which is relieved by passing small amounts of urine. Sex may be painful. Often, symptoms are worse in the week before a period.


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    Comments on this article:

    Posted by Annon at 29/06/2009 23:17:00

    Some times when i got to the toliet i pee then i have the feeling of wanting to pee again but more like burting to go feeling then i leave it and is fine but then it happend at night when im trying to sleep its so horrible i makes me cry someone please help?

    Posted by s.m at 29/05/2009 00:44:00

    i have current got cystitis and it comes and goes recently i have have had it for 2weeks but its been on and off i clean my self properly and i have a history of dibetes within my family could this be the case im really worried?

    Posted by not so good at 16/05/2009 02:10:00

    Again with the UTI, when will they end.
    Once I thought it was an illogical punishment for having sex. Now I know better however it is still highly painful, and annoying.
    I travel alot and don't always have access to as much drinking water as I should take in. When it flares up it is always inconvenient and unrelated to sexual intercourse.
    Any tips...? The frequency is about every 3-6 months.
    Thanks

    Posted by E2 at 08/04/2009 22:04:00

    Since becoming sexually active again, I have been unable to shake cystitis. I have found by accident that as well as all the named treatments, a wheat beer like Hoegaarden relieves the pain as effectively as potassium citrate.

    Posted by Anonymous at 27/03/2009 16:15:00

    I have blood in my urine and currently have cystitis and I am in alot of pain? Shall I book an emergency appointment or can it wait over the weekend?

    Posted by Stan at 10/03/2009 20:04:00

    I had a new female partner a few years ago who found that my very large penis
    (9 inches long and a 7 1/2 inch circumferance)caused frequent irritation, diagnosed as cystits and treated by her doctor(she was a little too embarrassed to disclose the circumstances to her doctor).She'd never had this problem previously.
    I read at a later date that a very large penis can cause this problem.
    I never had the problem but the frequency of her problem sadly ended an otherwise lovely relationship.
    Has anyone else had a simmilar problem?

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