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Cystitis Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, November 2008.

Answers to questions about cystitis

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

Is cystitis a sexually transmitted infection?

Are there any alternative medicines or diets for cystitis?

Can you treat interstitial cystitis?

Is cystitis a sexually transmitted infection?

No. You can get cystitis after having sex, but it isn't passed from person to person in that way.

Explanation

You may develop cystitis after having sex, which is why it's known as the "honeymoon disease". However, cystitis isn't actually a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. You can get this from a bacterial infection, or sometimes from vigorous sexual activity.

If you have repeated bouts of cystitis after sex, there are a few things you may wish to try to help prevent it, including:

• washing your genitals before sex and asking your partner to wash his or hers as well
• drinking a glass of water before sex and passing urine afterwards - this is thought to wash away bacteria from the urethra
• modifying your sexual technique so it's less vigorous, or changing position (anal contact can lead to cystitis)

If you keep getting cystitis after taking these precautions, visit your GP. He or she may prescribe antibiotics for you to take within a couple of hours of having sex to prevent another episode.

Sources

• Cystitis. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. www.addenbrookes.org.uk, accessed 29 July 2008
• Cystitis. Women's Health Concern. www.womens-health-concern.org, accessed 29 July 2008
• Cystitis. BMJ Clinical Evidence. www.clinicalevidence.com, accessed 29 July 2008
• Online medical dictionary. Cancerweb. http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk, accessed 1 August 2008
• Urinary tract infection. Alternative medicine. Peacehealth. www.peacehealth.org, accessed 29 July 2008

Are there any alternative medicines or diets for cystitis?

Yes. Some simple changes to your diet may help to relieve cystitis and prevent it coming back. There are also many supplements and herbal and homoeopathic remedies, but there isn't much evidence to show that these are effective.

Explanation

If you have cystitis that keeps coming back, your GP may suggest you cut down on how much sugar, alcohol and fat you have in your diet. In large amounts these can reduce how well your immune system works so if you eat less of them, your body may be better equipped to fight the infection.

Recurrent cystitis can also be caused by an allergy. If this is the cause of your cystitis, you may be able to reduce how often you get an infection by identifying the food causing cystitis and cutting it out of your diet. It's important that you speak to your GP before cutting out any food group from your diet.

You may have heard of a number of dietary supplements which claim to help protect against cystitis. However, there is no reliable evidence to show that any of these work except for an enzyme called bromelain. This comes from pineapple and may make certain antibiotics work more effectively.

There is a variety of herbal and homeopathic remedies available that claim to treat cystitis or prevent further episodes. However, there isn't enough research on most of these products to say whether they really work, except for cranberry juice. Drinking cranberry juice every day or taking cranberry capsules can protect against repeat infections.

If you have cystitis that keeps coming back, acupuncture may help reduce the number of infections you get. If you want to use alternative remedies, you should speak to your GP first. Don't use them as a substitute for antibiotics.

Sources

• Urinary tract infection. Alternative medicine. Peacehealth. www.peacehealth.org, accessed 29 July 2008
• Urinary tract infection. Homeopathic remedies. Peacehealth. www.peacehealth.org, accessed 1 August 2008

Can you treat interstitial cystitis?

Yes. You may be given one of many different medicines for interstitial cystitis. Most of these target your pain or inflammation.

Explanation

If you have interstitial cystitis, it means your bladder has been inflamed for a long time. Unlike the usual forms of cystitis, this inflammation isn't thought to be caused by a bacterial infection.

It's not yet understood why people get interstitial cystitis so most treatments work by controlling its symptoms.

Typical symptoms of interstitial cystitis include:

• urinating often - up to 60 times a day
• an urgent need to urinate - this can hurt and you may also feel pressure or spasms in your vagina
• pain in your urinary passage (urethra), abdomen (tummy) or vagina - you may also feel pain when you have sex

Your GP may try a range of different medicines to help treat your symptoms. Some of these are described here.

• Anti-inflammatories - you can get some anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen (eg Nurofen) from your pharmacist, or your GP may prescribe other, stronger ones for you.
• Antihistamines - these are usually used to relieve the symptoms of allergic conditions such as hay fever, but they may help to reduce your inflammation and make you less likely to urinate at night.
• Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants - these medicines relax your muscles, including those of the pelvic floor, and calm the nerves that make you need to urinate urgently.
• Antidepressants - these may help relieve pain and some types can reduce your need to urinate at night.

Always ask your GP for advice and read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

There are many other forms of treatment your GP may suggest, including instills, special diets, electrotherapy and surgery. Instills are medicines that are placed in your bladder. These either aim to reduce the inflammation in your bladder or help to repair its lining.

The most common form of electrotherapy is the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) machine. This is a small, battery-powered device that stimulates your nerves to produce your body's natural painkillers called endorphins.

If you think you may have interstitial cystitis, speak to your GP.

Sources

• Interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome treatments. The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation. www.cobfoundation.org, accessed 29 July 2008
• Interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome. The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation. www.cobfoundation.org, accessed 29 July 2008
• Interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome. FAQs. The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation. www.cobfoundation.org, accessed 29 July 2008

Related topics

• Cystitis
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: November 2008

		Cystitis factsheet Visit the cystitis health factsheet for more information.

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