Overview

Cystitis is a bladder infection which occurs in women, and is very common. The most common cause of cystitis is due to bacteria inside of the bladder, thus regarding it as a type of UTI (urinary tract infection).

Many cases of cystitis are related to sexual intercourse, in which it is not uncommon for bacteria to be transferred to a woman’s bladder during intercourse. Too frequent or unusually forceful sexual intercourse which can cause bruising can also lead to cystitis.

Symptoms

The most common signs of cystitis are both a burning sensation during urination and an urgency to urinate. A woman may even feel the need to urinate when she does not need to.

Other less common symptoms of cystitis are strong smelling urine, and cloudy or blood stained urine passing.

Treatments

Cystitis is easily treatable in almost all cases, through the use of antibiotics. The antibiotic Trimethoprim, which is a prescription-only medicine, is used over a short course to cure the cystitis. A single 200mg tablet is usually taken twice a day, over a period of 3 days, to treat cystitis.

Prevention

Steps can be taken to prevent cystitis. Ensuring that one urinates after sexual intercourse can help to prevent cystitis, as bacteria inside the urethra can be flushed.

Toilet hygiene can also help prevent cystitis, due to the fact that a woman’s anus is close to the urethral opening.

You're unlikely to get side effects from trimethoprim. Some people get itching or a skin rash, but this is usually mild and goes away after you stop taking the medicine.

Trimethoprim can also make you feel sick or have diarrhoea. It may also cause headaches. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or don’t go away, or email us at freeadvice@myonlinedoctors.com for further advice.

Click here for a patient information leaflet on Trimethoprim