About Cystitis

Cystitis in Women

The word "cystitis" comes from the Greek "kystis" — "bladder" — and the suffix "-itis" — "inflammation". Cystitis refers to an inflammatory process that develops in the bladder mucosa.

Cystitis significantly reduces a woman's quality of life — it is hard to function normally when the urge to urinate becomes constant, with trips to the bathroom every five minutes accompanied by burning, pain, discomfort, and sometimes the presence of blood.

Who Gets Cystitis?

Cystitis most commonly affects women. Worldwide, 20–40% of women experience cystitis at some point in their lives.

Men develop cystitis far less frequently and typically at an older age — after 50. In men, cystitis is usually secondary in nature.

What Is Acute Cystitis?

Acute cystitis is an infectious-inflammatory disease of the bladder caused by an infection. In more than 70–75% of cases, cystitis is caused by Escherichia coli and other microorganisms of the family Enterobacteriaceae, including St. saprophyticus, Klebsiella spp., and Proteus spp.

Bacterial cystitis results from a massive entry of bacteria into the urinary tract — either via the ascending route (through the urethra) or the endogenous route. Non-infectious cystitis also occurs, caused by allergic reactions, chemical substances, toxins or medication side effects.

Symptoms of Cystitis

• Frequent urge to urinate — urges become more frequent and may recur immediately after the bladder is fully emptied
• Burning and stinging during urination
• A feeling of discomfort, pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen
• Urges to urinate during the day and at night
• Urinary leakage or incontinence
• Persistent dull pain in the lower abdomen, worsening as the bladder fills
• Strong unpleasant odour in urine, cloudy appearance, possibly hematuria or pus