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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 are 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 travel faster to the bladder.This is why women should empty their bladder more often, and if urinary retention occurs, the risk of developing cystitis increases significantly.

Cystitis affects not only the mucous membrane of the bladder.In general, this is a rather complex disease that entails a lot of complications and discomfort.

Symptoms, diagnostic and treatment strategies depend on many factors:

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

Cystitis is divided into types according to several criteria:

  • Based 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 medication, allergies);
  • According to 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 form or recurrent);
  • 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 are purely individual and depend on the pain threshold, as well as on the degree of damage to the bladder structures themselves.

It is generally accepted that with cystitis, pain is localized only in the bladder area.This is not entirely true.Often the pain can be radiating (wandering) in nature.Pain from cystitis moves to the lumbosacral spine and patients feel as if their back hurts.The pain syndrome can also be localized in the coccyx area.

The pain is often accompanied by general symptoms of intoxication of the body: headache of varying intensity (localized in the forehead), weakness and fatigue, hyperthermia (increase in body temperature) up to 37.5 - 38 degrees.Pain and manifestations of intoxication are considered as a single symptom of pathology and are inseparable from each other, although with weakened immunity there may be no hyperthermia.

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 may be two reasons for this: either we are talking about acute cystitis, or about its much more severe form - hemorrhagic cystitis.It is relatively simple to distinguish them; with acute cystitis, the urine acquires a reddish tint at the end of urination; with complicated cystitis, the urine is red throughout the act and retains its hue 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 objects;
  2. Lack of bladder muscle tone;
  3. Congestion in the bladder, 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 neoplasm).

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, which is constant and persistent.
  • Frequent false urge to urinate;
  • The main manifestation of such forms of cystitis is bleeding.Despite the fact that blood begins to come out only a few hours after the start of the acute phase, the intensity of the bleeding can be so high that the blood, under the influence of specific substances contained in the urine, will coagulate, forming large blood clots.Blood clots, clogging the lumen of the urethra, lead to a delay in the outflow of urine and, as a result, 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.Typically, both of these manifestations are observed with allergic or infectious nature of cystitis.

Itching and burning also often occur with allergic origin of cystitis.The allergen is recognized by the patient’s immune system as an antigen, as a result of which the immune system produces specific antibodies to combat the “dangerous intruder.”As a result of the reaction, the antigen-antibody complex settles on mast cells (basophils) located in the area of the urethra and urethra.Under the influence of the complex, basophils are destroyed, releasing large quantities of the substance histamine, which is a mediator of itching and causes an unbearable sensation 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 (with 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 95% probability indicates an allergic or infectious nature of cystitis, which means that concomitant lesions of the vaginal mucosa are possible.

Can there be a fever with cystitis?

To answer the question correctly, you need to understand why body temperature rises.Hyperthermia occurs as a result of 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 decreases sharply.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 that can resist infection.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 first stages of the disease does not reveal itself by an increase in temperature, while most sexually transmitted infections and even adenovirus cause significant hyperthermia, up to values of 39 degrees.

Causes of cystitis in women

As noted earlier, the disease in the vast majority of cases develops in women, which is due to the short and wide canal of the urethra, the close location of the anus and vagina (as is known, even opportunistic microflora of the mucous membranes of the colon and vagina can cause the development of inflammation of the bladder, and it often happens that pathogenic bacteria live on the mucous membranes).microorganisms that do not manifest themselves until a certain point).

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

Routes of penetration may be different:

  1. Descending path.The infection can spread from the kidneys to the bladder;
  2. Ascending path.What has already been mentioned is from the outside through the urethra into the bladder;
  3. Hematogenous route.Relatively rarely, a bacterium or virus enters the bladder through the bloodstream.The cause can be any focus of an infectious lesion in the body, however, the chance that a pathogenic agent will get, for example, from the tonsils into 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 infectious origin, cystitis can develop due to:

  • Taking certain medications.Among these, for example, are cytostatic drugs used to combat malignant neoplasms;
  • Allergic reactions.Allergies are quite 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 urethra, the occurrence of cystitis is only a matter of time;
  2. The same can be said about constipation and other intestinal problems (colitis, etc.).Microorganisms from the large intestine, also due to the anatomical proximity of the anus and external genitalia, can provoke the formation of acute cystitis;
  3. Nephrological diseases: kidney stones, nephritis and pyelonephritis, urinary retention.According to the descending principle, the infection often descends 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, as a consequence, the microflora of the mucous membranes of the vagina and urethra;
  5. Predisposing factors also include endocrine diseases, especially diabetes;
  6. The risk group includes allergy sufferers, as well as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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

  • Frequent and painful urination.Burning, nagging pain in the bladder and urethra;
  • The urge to urinate may be false;
  • Urinary incontinence (sometimes);
  • Increased urge at night without increased urine production.
  • Constant pain in the pubic and perineal area, radiating to the lower back and tailbone.Pronounced pain at the beginning and end of urination;
  • Dark colored urine, or cloudy, 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 of “drink something” and “it will go away on its own” do not work here.

If the course of necessary treatment is not carried out in 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 severe kidney disease;
  2. Women may suffer from urine returning from the bladder back 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 tissue.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 in a timely manner, there is a high risk of the disease becoming chronic.Chronic cystitis, especially infectious (and most often this happens) is a source of constant inflammation;
  5. Although it is difficult to call stress and depression direct complications of cystitis, they are.If the pathology is not treated in time, it becomes chronic.Relapses of cystitis are frequent and can occur almost several times a month.The disease puts extreme psychological pressure on a person, literally making a healthy member of society a hostage to the toilet.In addition, 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 particular attention to risk factors:

  • Unprotected sexual intercourse;
  • Hypothermia;
  • Excessive emotional stress;
  • Medicines taken;
  • The presence of concomitant diseases and pathologies (primarily in the pelvic organs).

Laboratory research

Include:

  1. Taking a general blood test;
  2. Taking a general urine test;
  3. Submitting 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 herb and hop cones also help to reduce spasm and pain caused by cystitis;
  4. Under no circumstances should you take antibacterial drugs on your own.Taking antibiotics is guaranteed to 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 taking 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 may develop.

How to treat cystitis in women

Since cystitis in women most often develops due to an infectious lesion, specific therapy 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 the diagnostic results reveal specific pathogens, appropriate antifungal, antimicrobial or antiviral drugs are prescribed;
  • To eliminate severe pain, antispasmodics and analgesics, non-steroidal 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.

Prevention of cystitis

Personal hygiene rules must be observed.For washing, you need to 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 is fraught with the development of complications.

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

During an exacerbation of cystitis, it is worth increasing 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 case of acute cystitis and in case 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 of improving intestinal motility.

Answers to popular questions

Which doctor should I contact for cystitis?

You should 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 contract cystitis through sexual contact.

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

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

However, if you cannot do without sexual contact, you need to follow the recommendations:

  • Immediately before sex, wash your body and thoroughly clean your hands;
  • 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 there is a suspicion of concomitant damage to the uterus, 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?

The development of cystitis after sex is not a far-fetched problem.Postcoital cystitis (also called “honeymoon syndrome”) occurs in approximately 45% of cases.As a rule, 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 proper hygiene.The partner may not be aware of this, while 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 a condom or without it 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, tissue cracking occurs.The result is colpitis, which quickly provokes the development of cystitis.In this case, cystitis becomes a secondary disease.Therefore, you can’t have sex if the woman’s genitals lack desire and sufficient hydration;
  4. It is also worth remembering about sexually transmitted diseases.If the partner is sick or is a carrier, the woman quickly becomes infected, and in this case there is a risk of not only developing a sexually transmitted disease itself, 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 number of physical activities must be abandoned.

Avoid:

  • Visits to fitness clubs.Aerobics and exercises can lead to mechanical irritation of the urethra and bladder, as a result, the symptoms will worsen significantly;
  • Swimming.Swimming is allowed, but not longer than 10-20 minutes.Prolonged exposure to cold water (30-50 minutes) is guaranteed to lead to local hypothermia.As a result of cooling, local immunity will decrease, and within just a few hours the symptoms of cystitis will become more pronounced;
  • Winter sports.Almost all winter sports involve prolonged exposure to the cold.Under such conditions, the risk of developing hypothermia and worsening cystitis increases significantly.People who are keen on figure skating are advised to dress as warmly as possible, cover the pelvic and perineal area, and should never sit on the ice;
  • Active sports associated with increased physical activity and a sharp increase in intra-abdominal pressure are excluded: boxing, wrestling, cycling.

However, there are a number of sports that are recommended for cystitis.They evenly strain the muscles of the body and do not lead to 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, tight clothes.A tracksuit should not be tight-fitting; preference should be given 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, we must again proceed from the patient’s current condition and the course of the disease.You can take warm (warm, but not hot) baths only at the stage when cystitis does not yet make itself felt with specific symptoms.In this case, light warming is not only not contraindicated, but also useful.

As soon as one of the following symptoms appears, thermal procedures are strictly contraindicated:

  1. Muscle spasms (sharp, cramping pain 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 initial stages of the disease, warming up is allowed, but they must be used only within reasonable limits:

  • Warming up 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 should take a foot bath for 10-20 minutes.Then the feet are wiped dry and warm socks are put on;
  • Sitz baths.In the first stages of cystitis development, you can take sitz baths with the addition of medicinal herbs.In this case, the water temperature should be no higher than 37 degrees, and the duration of the bath should be up to 10 minutes.Even a warm bath is prohibited in cases where other organs besides the bladder are affected;
  • Warm shower.The optimal way to relieve cystitis and carry out hygiene procedures during the course of the disease;
  • Warming your hands with warmth.A palm is placed on the bladder area for several hours;
  • Warming compress with eucalyptus oil.Effective in the absence of acute symptoms.But it is contraindicated for allergies.

Can menstruation be delayed due to cystitis?

There is no direct cause-and-effect relationship between cystitis and menstrual irregularities.However, as mentioned earlier, rarely cystitis in women occurs only with damage to the bladder.As the infection rises, it often affects the genital organs, 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 then a delay in menstruation is possible.