Cystitis

Our Approach

Antibiotics are an effective cystitis treatment. But if your symptoms return after taking this medication, our doctors can prescribe different antibiotics to clear up the infection. They can also recommend ways to help prevent cystitis, such as:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Urinating as soon as possible after sexual intercourse to flush out bacteria

How is cystitis diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose cystitis with an exam and urine tests. In complicated cases, imaging tests, such as an X-ray or ultrasound of the bladder, may identify a tumor or structural problem.

A cystoscopy is an endoscopy procedure that the doctor can use to view inside your bladder. During a cystoscopy, your doctor can remove a small tissue sample (biopsy) for analysis.

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. A bacterial infection or urinary tract infection (UTI) usually causes the condition.

Bladder infections can be painful. They can spread to the kidneys, potentially causing damage.

Cystitis causes

E. coli bacteria that enter the urinary tract and multiply is the cause of most urinary tract infections. Because women have a shorter urethra (the tube that transfers urine from your bladder to outside your body), bacteria have less distance to travel to reach the bladder. This difference leads to more urinary tract infections in women than men.

Nonbacterial causes of cystitis include:

• Chemotherapy
• Chronic bladder inflammation (interstitial cystitis)
• Long-term catheter use
• Radiation treatment
• Sensitivity to chemicals in bubble bath or feminine hygiene products

Cystitis symptoms

Cystitis symptoms include:

• Blood in the urine
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Fever
• Passing frequent small amounts of urine
• Pelvic discomfort
• Pressure in the lower abdomen
• Strong urge to urinate

If your child starts having daytime wetting accidents, this may be a sign of cystitis.

Cystitis risk factors

Risk factors for cystitis include:

• A weakened immune system
• Cancer treatment
• Diabetes
• HIV
• Long-term bladder catheter use

Women at greatest risk for cystitis include those who:

• Are postmenopausal
• Are pregnant
• Are sexually active
• Use diaphragms

Cystitis may also occur as a complication of:

• An enlarged prostate
• Diabetes
• Kidney stones
• Spinal cord injuries