Cystitis

A plain English guide to understanding bladder infections

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is when your bladder gets infected. It's very common, especially in women. Most of the time, it gets better on its own, but sometimes you might need medicine called antibiotics to help clear it up.

How do I know if I have it?

The main signs of cystitis include:

• Pain, burning or stinging when you pee
• Needing to pee more often than usual
• Feeling like you need to pee urgently
• Dark, cloudy or strong-smelling pee
• Pain low down in your tummy

In young children, you might also notice:

• A high temperature (they feel hot when you touch their neck, back or tummy)
• Wetting themselves
• Not wanting to eat and being sick
• Being weak or irritable

When should I see my GP?

Speak to your GP if:

• Your symptoms haven't gone away after 3 days
• You've had antibiotics but still feel unwell
• You have severe pain in your lower tummy
• You get cystitis often
• You're pregnant or you're a man with these symptoms
• Your child has these symptoms

When is it urgent?

Get urgent help from NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if you have:

• A high temperature or feel hot and shivery
• Pain in your back, just under your ribs
• Feeling confused or drowsy
• Being sick or feeling sick
• Haven't had a pee all day
• Blood in your pee

These could be signs that the infection has spread to your kidneys, which needs treatment straight away.

What causes cystitis?

Cystitis happens when germs (bacteria) from poo get into the tube that carries pee out of your body. Women get it more often because this tube is shorter in women than in men.

Things that make it more likely include:

• Having sex
• Wiping from back to front after using the toilet
• Being pregnant
• Having diabetes
• Going through the menopause

How can I help myself feel better?

If your symptoms are mild, you can try:

• Taking paracetamol (up to 4 times a day) for pain
• Drinking plenty of water
• Holding a hot water bottle on your lower tummy
• Avoiding sex until you feel better
• Avoiding drinks like coffee, alcohol and fruit juices
• Peeing often - don't hold it in

How can I prevent cystitis?

Do:

• Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
• Pee straight after sex
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Have showers instead of baths
• Wash the area around your vagina with water before and after sex

Don't:

• Use scented soaps or bubble baths
• Hold your pee in when you need to go
• Drink lots of alcohol or coffee
• Eat lots of sugary foods

Treatment options

Your GP might suggest waiting to see if it gets better on its own, or they might give you antibiotics. If you keep getting cystitis, there are other treatments available, including longer courses of antibiotics or hormone creams for women who have been through the menopause.

Your pharmacist can also help with advice and pain relief. Some pharmacies can even prescribe antibiotics for cystitis.

Remember, while cystitis is common and usually not serious, it's important to speak to your GP if you're worried or if your symptoms don't improve.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.