Cystonette Official site
Share this

Cystitis in women

pain in the lower abdomen as a symptom of cystitis in women

Cystitis is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary system.During the pathological process, for one reason or another (infectious agents, chemical and traumatic injuries), inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder occurs.

Cystitis is considered a typically female disease.According to medical statistics, 80% of all cases of cystitis affect women.This is understandable from an anatomical point of view: women's urinary tracts are much shorter than men's, which means that pathogens (which are mostly the causative agents of cystitis) encounter less resistance and move more quickly towards the bladder.That is why women should empty their bladder more often, and in case of urinary retention, the risk of developing cystitis increases significantly.

Cystitis affects not only the mucous membrane of the bladder.In general, it is a rather complex disease that causes many complications and discomfort.

Symptoms, diagnostic and treatment strategies depend on many factors:

  1. The nature of the pathological process;
  2. Location of inflammation;
  3. A type of pathogen.

Cystitis is divided into types according to several criteria:

  • Depending on the type of pathogen: bacterial cystitis (chlamydia, ureaplasma, gonorrhea, other pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli and others) and non-bacterial cystitis (toxic, caused by medications, allergies);
  • Depending on the nature of the course of the disease: acute cystitis (occurring in the acute phase with the manifestation of typical symptoms) and chronic (occurring in a latent or recurrent form);
  • Depending on the presence and type of organic (morphological) changes in the organ: ulcerative, catarrhal, cystic;
  • Based on the localization of the pathological process: cystitis of the mucous membrane of the bladder, affecting the submucosal layer, affecting the muscular layer.

Symptoms of cystitis in women

Pain with cystitis

The nature and intensity of pain and discomfort during cystitis is purely individual and depends on the pain threshold, as well as the degree of damage to the bladder structures themselves.

It is generally accepted that in cases of cystitis, the pain is localized only in the bladder region.This is not entirely true.Often the pain can be radiating (wandering) in nature.The pain caused by cystitis shifts to the lumbosacral spine and patients feel like they have back pain.Pain syndrome can also be localized in the coccyx region.

The pain is often accompanied by general symptoms of intoxication of the body: headaches of varying intensity (localized on the forehead), weakness and fatigue, hyperthermia (increase in body temperature) up to 37.5 - 38 degrees.Pain and manifestations of intoxication are considered a single symptom of pathology and are inseparable from each other, although in case of weakened immunity, hyperthermia cannot occur.

Cystitis with blood in women

In some cases, women with cystitis may notice that the urine has a pale pink or intense red tint.There can be two reasons for this: either we are talking about acute cystitis, or about its much more serious form - hemorrhagic cystitis.It is relatively simple to distinguish them;in case of acute cystitis, urine acquires a reddish tint at the end of urination;in case of complicated cystitis, the urine is red throughout the act and retains its color during all subsequent trips to the toilet.

Also among the causes of cystitis:

  1. Injury to the walls of the bladder and urethra by foreign bodies;
  2. Lack of bladder muscle tone;
  3. Bladder congestion, leading to the development of degenerative changes;
  4. Anatomical disorders (stenosis of the lumen of the urinary canal, compression of the structures of the excretory system by an oncological tumor).

Therefore, most often cystitis with blood in women is a secondary pathology caused by certain factors.

Acute cystitis with blood and, especially, hemorrhagic cystitis is difficult:

  • Intense pain is observed, constant and persistent.
  • Frequent false urge to urinate;
  • The main manifestation of these forms of cystitis is bleeding.Despite the fact that blood begins to come out only a few hours after the onset of the acute phase, the intensity of bleeding can be so high that the blood, under the influence of specific substances contained in urine, will clot, forming large blood clots.Blood clots, obstructing the lumen of the urethra, lead to a delay in the outflow of urine and, therefore, further complicate the patient's condition.

Itching and burning with cystitis

Itching and burning are perhaps the most common symptoms of cystitis in women after pain.Usually, both of these manifestations are observed with the allergic or infectious nature of cystitis.

Itching and burning also often occur with an allergic origin of cystitis.The allergen is recognized by the patient's immune system as an antigen, which allows the immune system to produce specific antibodies to fight the "dangerous intruder."As a result of the reaction, the antigen-antibody complex is deposited on mast cells (basophils) located in the area of the urethra and urethra.Under the influence of the complex, basophils are destroyed, releasing large amounts of the substance histamine, which is a mediator of itching and causes an unbearable feeling of itching and burning.

For similar reasons, with inflammatory lesions, itching and burning are also observed: infectious agents and toxic products of their metabolic activity (of bacterial origin of cystitis) or specific substances contained in medications accumulate in large quantities in the urine.When released, these substances affect superficial nerve endings.

In general, a symptom such as itching with a probability of 95% indicates an allergic or infectious nature of cystitis, which means that concomitant damage to the vaginal mucosa is possible.

Can there be a fever with cystitis?

To answer the question correctly, you need to understand why body temperature increases.Hyperthermia results from an acute immune reaction to a substance or microorganism of foreign origin.At temperatures above 37 degrees, pathogens lose their previous activity and the intensity of their vital activity sharply decreases.Almost always, infectious cystitis is accompanied by an increase in body temperature ranging from 37.5 to 38.2 degrees.This normal phenomenon indicates a strong immune system, capable of resisting infections.The height of the numbers largely depends on the direct causative agent of the disease.

For this reason, even cystitis of an infectious nature may not lead to an increase in temperature.For example, the causative agent of tuberculosis in the early stages of the disease does not manifest itself with an increase in temperature, while most sexually transmitted infections and even adenoviruses cause significant hyperthermia, up to values of 39 degrees.

Causes of cystitis in women

As noted earlier, the disease develops in the vast majority of cases in women, due to the short and wide canal of the urethra, the proximity of the anus and vagina (as is known, even opportunistic microflora of the mucous membranes of the colon and vagina can provoke the development of inflammation of the bladder, and it often happens that pathogenic bacteria live on the mucous membranes).microorganisms that only appear at a certain point).

In 85-90% of cases, cystitis in women develops precisely due to the penetration of a pathogenic or opportunistic microorganism (infectious cystitis).The pathogen does not always enter the bladder through the vagina or anus.

The routes of entry can be different:

  1. Downward path.The infection can spread from the kidneys to the bladder;
  2. Ascending path.What has already been mentioned goes from outside through the urethra to the bladder;
  3. Hematogenous route.Relatively rarely, a bacteria or virus enters the bladder through the bloodstream.The cause can be any focus of an infectious lesion in the body, however, the risk of a pathogen passing, for example, from the tonsils to the bladder, is extremely small, but still exists.
  4. Lymphogenic pathway.The pathogen enters the bladder from the pelvic organs that have become inflamed.

However, in addition to the infectious origin, cystitis can develop due to:

  • Take certain medications.Among these, for example, are cytostatic drugs used to combat malignant neoplasms;
  • Allergic reactions.Allergies are often local in nature.In some cases, the bladder is affected.

There are several factors that increase the risk of developing cystitis:

  1. Inflammation of the vagina (colpitis) and sexually transmitted diseases.Given the anatomical proximity of the vagina and the urethra, the occurrence of cystitis is only a matter of time;
  2. The same can be said for constipation and other intestinal problems (colitis, etc.).Microorganisms of the large intestine, also due to the anatomical proximity of the anus and external genitalia, can cause the formation of acute cystitis;
  3. Nephrological diseases: kidney stones, nephritis and pyelonephritis, urinary retention.According to the descending principle, the infection often goes down from the kidneys to the bladder, and with stagnation of urine, very serious pathologies and forms of cystitis can develop.
  4. Peak hormonal states.Pregnancy, menstrual cycle, menopause.The reason lies in changes in hormonal levels and, accordingly, in the microflora of the mucous membranes of the vagina and urethra;
  5. Predisposing factors also include endocrine diseases, including diabetes;
  6. The risk group includes people with allergies as well as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Regardless of the causes and source of the disease, cystitis includes a characteristic symptom complex:

  • Frequent and painful urination.Burning, shooting pain in bladder and urethra;
  • The urge to urinate may be false;
  • Urinary incontinence (sometimes);
  • Increased need at night without increased urine production.
  • Constant pain in the pubic and perineal region, radiating to the lower back and coccyx.Pronounced pain at the beginning and end of urination;
  • Dark-colored, or cloudy, urine with admixtures of pus;
  • General manifestations of intoxication.

If the cause lies in allergies, painful itching and burning in the urethral area may develop.

Complications and consequences of cystitis

Cystitis is by no means a harmless disease, and the principles “drink something” and “it will go away by itself” do not work here.

If the necessary treatment is not carried out on time, the consequences can be more than disastrous:

  1. Along the ascending path, kidney damage occurs.According to medical statistics, in 95% of cases, untreated cystitis causes serious kidney disease;
  2. Women may experience urine flowing back from the bladder to the kidneys.This happens extremely rarely;
  3. Long-term and at the same time ineffective treatment of cystitis can lead to organic changes in organ tissues.The epithelium degenerates and, as a result, the bladder loses its elasticity, loses its ability to regenerate and decreases in size;
  4. If specific treatment is not carried out on time, the risk of the disease becoming chronic is high.Chronic cystitis, especially infectious (and this happens most often), is a source of constant inflammation;
  5. Although it is difficult to classify stress and depression as direct complications of cystitis, they are.If the pathology is not treated in time, it becomes chronic.Relapses of cystitis are common and can occur almost several times a month.The disease puts extreme psychological pressure on a person, literally making a healthy member of society hostage to the toilet.Furthermore, a dominant is formed in the human mind;
  6. Weakening of the bladder sphincter.May lead to the development of urinary incontinence.Most often it develops in older people.

Diagnosis of cystitis

Primary diagnosis includes an in-person examination by specialized specialists: urologist, nephrologist, gynecologist.

Specialists collect anamnesis and establish possible causes of the disease.

When collecting anamnesis, doctors pay special attention to risk factors:

  • Unprotected sex;
  • Hypothermia;
  • Excessive emotional stress;
  • Medications taken;
  • The presence of concomitant diseases and pathologies (mainly in the pelvic organs).

Laboratory research

Include:

  1. Take a general blood test;
  2. Take a general urine test;
  3. Submit a urine test for cultures.

Among the instrumental methods, two main ones are used:

  • Urethroscopy and cystoscopy.
  • Ultrasound examination of the bladder.

How to relieve an attack of cystitis?First aid at home

In severe cases, it is recommended to resort to medication:

  1. The best solution would be to take antispasmodics;
  2. In addition to antispasmodics, pain is relieved by analgesics;
  3. Herbal preparations containing oregano and hop cones also help reduce spasms and pain caused by cystitis;
  4. Under no circumstances should you take antibacterial medications yourself.Taking antibiotics will definitely lead to a change in the picture of laboratory tests, and the specialist will not be able to establish the source and cause of the disease;
  5. If the diagnosis is confirmed and already known to the patient, you can resort to antimicrobial drugs.

In all other cases, it is better not to self-medicate.Attacks of complicated cystitis (with blood, hemorrhagic) are relieved exclusively in a hospital setting.Otherwise, life-threatening bleeding could develop.

How to treat cystitis in women

Since cystitis in women most often develops due to an infectious lesion, specific treatment is aimed at destroying pathogens.

  • In recent years, drugs from the fluoroquinolone group have proven their effectiveness.These antibiotics can only be taken as directed by a specialist;
  • If diagnostic results reveal specific pathogens, appropriate antifungal, antimicrobial, or antiviral drugs are prescribed;
  • To eliminate severe pain, antispasmodics and analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended;
  • In the absence of allergies to medicinal herbs, it is allowed to take herbal teas based on lingonberries, horsetail and bearberry.Preference should be given to unpackaged products;
  • To quickly remove toxins from the body, it is recommended to increase daily fluid intake.

Cystitis prevention

Personal hygiene rules must be respected.For washing, you must choose products that are neutral in their acid-base properties.Proper intimate care is the key to the absence of relapses.

It is recommended to empty your bladder as often as possible.Stagnation of urine leads to the development of complications.

Hypothermia should not be allowed.Feet should be kept warm and dry.

During an exacerbation of cystitis, it is appropriate to increase the volume of fluid consumed to 2-2.5 liters per day: water, fresh natural juices, cranberry juice.You should refrain from drinking carbonated water and artificial drinks.

Both in cases of acute cystitis and in cases of exacerbation of chronic cystitis, you should avoid wearing tight synthetic underwear.

Constipation indirectly affects the risk of developing cystitis.Therefore, preventive measures also include methods aimed at improving intestinal motility.

Answers to common questions

Which doctor should I contact in case of cystitis?

You need to contact three specialists: a urologist, a nephrologist and a gynecologist.

Is it possible to have sex with cystitis?Is it sexually transmitted?

Cystitis is an inflammatory disease of the bladder.Of course, it is simply impossible to get cystitis through sexual contact.

However, there is a high probability of transmitting the infectious agents that cause cystitis to a partner.But one reservation must be made: transmission of pathogenic microflora is possible only if the disease is of infectious origin.In all other cases, the partner is safe.

As for the other side of this question, everything is not so simple.Most competent specialists recommend that women refrain from sexual activity for the duration of the disease.

However, if you cannot do without sexual contacts, you should follow the recommendations:

  • Immediately before sex, wash your body and clean your hands thoroughly;
  • Avoid touching the vagina.During cystitis, the mucous membrane is subject to increased stress, since it is impossible to completely protect it from urine particles;
  • If concomitant damage to the uterus is suspected, exclude deep penetration;
  • At the end of intimacy, be sure to wash the external genitalia;
  • Use barrier contraception (condoms only).

Cystitis after intimacy, what are the causes?

Developing cystitis after sex is not a far-fetched problem.Postcoital cystitis (also called “honeymoon syndrome”) occurs in about 45% of cases.Typically, it is detected after the first sexual intercourse.

There are several reasons for this:

  1. The most common, but at the same time the most difficult to eliminate, is a congenital anomaly of the genitourinary system;
  2. Another common reason is lack of hygiene.The partner may not realize it, although there are many microorganisms on the surface of the penis.As a result, the woman's urethra is attacked by an infectious agent.This group of reasons also includes alternating vaginal and anal sex without changing condoms or without a condom at all.In this case, the causative agent of cystitis is the intestinal microflora (bacillus);
  3. Vaginal dryness.Due to excessive dryness of the vaginal mucosa, cracks occur in the tissues.The result is colpitis, which quickly causes the development of cystitis.In this case, cystitis becomes a secondary disease.Therefore, you cannot have sex if the woman's genitals lack desire and sufficient hydration;
  4. It is also worth remembering sexually transmitted diseases.If the partner is sick or a carrier, the woman quickly becomes infected, and in this case there is a risk of not only developing a sexually transmitted disease herself, but also secondary cystitis.

Is it possible to play sports with cystitis?

In this case, everything is purely individual and depends on the patient's condition and the severity of cystitis.However, a certain number of physical activities must be abandoned.

Avoid:

  • Visits to fitness clubs.Aerobics and exercise can cause mechanical irritation of the urethra and bladder, leading to significant worsening of symptoms;
  • Swimming.Swimming is permitted, but no more than 10 to 20 minutes.Prolonged exposure to cold water (30-50 minutes) is guaranteed to lead to local hypothermia.Due to cooling, local immunity will decrease and in just a few hours the symptoms of cystitis will become more pronounced;
  • Winter sports.Almost all winter sports involve prolonged exposure to the cold.In such conditions, the risk of developing hypothermia and worsening of cystitis increases significantly.Fans of figure skating are advised to dress as warmly as possible, cover the pelvic and perineal region and never sit on the ice;
  • Excluded are active sports associated with increased physical activity and a sharp increase in intra-abdominal pressure: boxing, wrestling, cycling.

However, a certain number of sports are recommended in cases of cystitis.They work the body's muscles evenly and do not cause significant fatigue.These are jogging, walking, basketball, volleyball.Dancing is also permitted.It is important to remember that clothing must be appropriate.It is harmful to wear tight and tight clothes.A tracksuit should not be fitted;you should give preference to light, but at the same time warm clothing, made from natural materials.

Is it possible to take a hot bath if you have cystitis?

In general, the issue is very controversial.To answer this question, we must again start from the current state of the patient and the evolution of the disease.You can take warm (lukewarm, but not hot) baths only at the stage when cystitis has not yet made itself felt with specific symptoms.In this case, slight warming is not only contraindicated, but also useful.

Upon the appearance of any of the following symptoms, thermal procedures are strictly contraindicated:

  1. Muscle spasms (sharp pains and cramps in the lower abdomen and pubic area);
  2. Burning and stinging when urinating;
  3. Blood or pus in the urine.

If we are talking only about the early stages of the disease, warm-ups are allowed, but they should only be used within reasonable limits:

  • Warming with dry heat.The salt is heated in a container to 38-40 degrees, poured into a fabric bag and applied to the sore spot;
  • Foot baths.The basin is filled with warm water, after which you need to take a foot bath for 10-20 minutes.Then the feet are dried and warm socks are put on;
  • Sitz baths.In the early stages of the development of cystitis, you can take sitz baths with the addition of medicinal herbs.In this case, the water temperature should not exceed 37 degrees, and the duration of the bath should be up to 10 minutes.Even a hot bath is prohibited in cases where organs other than the bladder are affected;
  • Hot shower.The optimal way to relieve cystitis and carry out hygiene procedures during the course of the disease;
  • Warm your hands with warmth.One palm is placed on the bladder area for several hours;
  • Heating compress with eucalyptus oil.Effective in the absence of acute symptoms.But it is contraindicated in case of allergies.

Can periods be delayed because of cystitis?

There is no direct cause and effect relationship between cystitis and menstrual irregularities.However, as mentioned earlier, cystitis in women rarely occurs only with bladder damage.As the infection increases, it often affects the genitals, including the uterus and ovaries located in the abdominal cavity.

The ovaries are responsible for the production of estrogen, a specific female hormone, which in itself helps to normalize the menstrual cycle.When the infection spreads to the ovaries, estrogen production decreases.As a result, the cycle is disrupted, and a delay in menstruation is possible.