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 damage), inflammation of the bladder mucosa occurs.

Cystitis is considered a typical 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, which means that pathogens (which are mainly causal cystitis agents) encounter less resistance and travel faster in the bladder.This is why women need to empty their bladder more often, and if urine retention occurs, the risk of developing cystitis increases significantly.

Cystitis not only affects the mucous membrane of the bladder.In general, this is a very complex disease that involves many complications and discomfort.

Symptoms, diagnostic strategies and treatment depend on many factors:

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

Cystitis is divided into types by 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 (toxic, allergies);
• By the nature of the course of the disease: acute cystitis (which occurs in the acute phase with the manifestation of typical) and chronic symptoms (which occurs in a latent or recurrent form);
• Depending on the presence and type of organic (morphological) changes in the organ: ulcerative, catharral, cystic;
• Based on the localization of the pathological process: bladder mucosa cystitis, which affects the submucosal layer, affecting the muscle layer.

Symptoms of cystitis in women

Pain with cystitis

The nature and intensity of pain and disturbance during cystitis are purely individual and depend on the threshold of pain, as well as the extent of damage to the bladder structures themselves.

It is generally accepted that with cystitis, the pain is located only in the bladder area.This is not entirely true.Often the pain can be radiating (wandering) in nature.Cystitis pain moves in the lumbosacral spine and patients feel like hurting.Pain syndrome can also be localized in the area of Coccyx.

Pain is often associated with general symptoms of body intoxication: headaches of varying intensity (localized in the forehead), weakness and fatigue, hyperthermia (increase in body temperature) to 37.5 - 38 degrees.Pain and manifestations of intoxication are considered a single symptom of pathology and are inseparable from one another, although with weakened immunity may not have hyperthermia.

Cystitis with blood in women

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

Also among the causes of cystitis:

1. Damage to the bladder and urethra walls by foreign objects;
2. Lack of bladder muscle tone;
3. Blockage in the bladder, leading to the development of degenerative changes;
4. Disordishes Anatomical disorders (urinary tract lumen stenosis, compression of excretory system structures from an oncological neoplasm).

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

Acute blood cystitis and, in particular, hemorrhagic cystitis is difficult:

• Intense pain is observed, which is persistent and persistent.
• Frequent false demand to urinate;
• The main manifestation of such forms of cystitis is bleeding.Despite the fact that the blood begins to emerge only hours after the onset of the acute phase, the intensity of the bleeding can be as high as the blood, under the influence of the specific substances involved in the urine, will coagulate, forming large blood clots.Blood clots, blocking the lumen of the urethra, lead to a delay in urine outlet and, as a result, further complicate the patient's condition.

Itching and burning with cystitis

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

Itching and burning also often occur with allergic origin of cystitis.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 "dangerous intervention".As a result of the reaction, the antigen-antibody complex is placed in the master cells (basophils) located in the area of the urethra and urethra.Under the influence of the complex, the basophils are destroyed, releasing large amounts of histamine of the substance, which is a itching intermediary and causes an unbearable itching and burning sensation.

For similar reasons, with inflammatory lesions, itching and burning are also observed: Infectious agents and toxic products of their metabolic activity (of bacterial cystitis origin) or specific substances involved in drugs 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 the cystitis, which means that the 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 response 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 significantly.Almost always, infectious cystitis is associated with 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 depends largely on the direct cause 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 detect itself with an increase in temperature, while most sexually transmitted infections and even adenovirus cause significant hyperthermia, up to 39 degrees.

Causes of cystitis in women

As mentioned 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 narrow location of the anus and vagina (as it is known, even the opportunistic microflora of the mucous membranes of the colon and vagina can cause the development of inflammation of the bladder,mucosa).Microorganisms that do not manifest up to 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 from the vagina or anus.

Penetration routes may be different:

1. Descending path.The infection can spread from the kidneys to the bladder;
2. Adhesive road.What is already mentioned is from the outside through the urethra in the bladder;
3. The 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 receive, for example, from the tonsils to the bladder, is extremely small, but still exists.
4. The lymphogenic road.The pathogen enters the bladder from the pelvic organs that have become inflamed.

However, in addition to infectious origin, cystitis may develop due to:

• Taking certain medicines.Among these, for example, are cytostatic medicines 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 appearance 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 genitals, can provoke the formation of acute cystitis;
3. Nephrological diseases: kidney stones, nephritis and pyelonephritis, urine retention.According to the descent principle, the infection often descends from the kidneys to the bladder, and with urine stagnation, very serious pathologies and forms of cystitis can develop.
4. Hormonal peak states.Pregnancy, menstrual cycle, menopause.The reason lies in changes in hormonal levels and, consequently, the microflora of the vagina and urethra mucosa;
5. Predisposing factors also include endocrine diseases, especially diabetes;
6. The risk group includes patients with allergies as well as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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

• Frequent and painful urination.Burning, annoying pain in the bladder and urethra;
• The demand for urinating can be false;
• Urinary incontinence (sometimes);
• Increased stimulation at night without producing urine growth.
• Continuous pain in the pubic and perineal area, which radiates to the lower back and the tail.Pronounced pain at the beginning and end of urination;
• Dark color, or cloudy, with pus mixture;
• General manifestations of intoxication.

If the cause lies in allergies, painful itching and burning in the urethra area can develop.

Complications and consequences of cystitis

Cystitis is not at all a harmless disease, and the principles of "drink something" and "will leave itself" do not work here.

If the necessary treatment course is not performed on time, the consequences may be more than catastrophic:

1. Along the contagious road, kidney damage occurs.According to medical statistics, in 95% of cases, untreated cystitis causes severe kidney disease;
2. Women can suffer from urine returning from the bladder back to the kidneys.This happens extremely rarely;
3. Long -term and at the same time treatment 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 performed in a timely manner, there is a high risk for the disease to become chronic.Chronic cystitis, especially infectious (and most often this happens) is a source of persistent inflammation;
5. Although it is difficult to call stress and depression direct cystitis complications, they are.If the pathology is not treated on time, it becomes chronic.Cystitis relapses 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 toilet hostage.In addition, a predominant is formed in the human mind;
6. Weakening of the bladder sphincter.Can lead to the development of urinary incontinence.Most often, it develops in older people.

Diagnosis of cystitis

The primary diagnosis includes an examination within persons by specialist specialists: urologist, nephrologist, gynecologist.

Specialists collect anamnesis and set possible causes of the disease.

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

• Unprotected sex;
• Hypothermia;
• Excessive emotional stress;
• Medicines taken;
• The presence of associated diseases and pathologies (mainly 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 crops.

Among the instrumental methods, two main ones are used:

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

How to relieve a cystitis attack?First aid at home

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

1. The best solution would be to take antispasmodics;
2. In addition to antispasmodics, the 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 medicines yourself.Acquisition of antibiotics is guaranteed to lead to a change in the appearance of laboratory tests, and the specialist will not be able to create the source and cause of the disease;
5. If the diagnosis is already confirmed and already known to the patient, you can address antimicrobial medication.

In all other cases, it is best not to self-medicate.Complicated cystitis attacks (with blood, hemorrhagic) are exclusively facilitated in a hospital environment.Otherwise, life -threatening bleeding can 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, medicines from the Fluoroquinolone group have proven their effectiveness.These antibiotics can only be taken as directed by a specialist;
• If diagnostic results detect specific pathogens, appropriate antifungal, antimicrobial or antiviral medication have been prescribed;
• To eliminate severe pain, antispasmodic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended;
• In the absence of allergies to medicinal herbs, it is allowed to get herbal teas based on languages of languages, horses and bearberry.Preference should be given to packaged products;
• To quickly remove toxins from the body, it is recommended to increase daily fluid intake.

Preventing cystitis

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

It is recommended to empty your bladder as often as possible.Urine stagnation is fraught with the development of complications.

Hypothermia should not be allowed.The legs should be kept warm and dry.

During a deterioration of the cystitis, it is worth increasing the volume of fluid consumed to 2-2.5 liters per day: water, fresh natural liquids, blueberry juice.You should refrain from drinking carbonated water and artificial drinks.

In the case of acute cystitis and in the event of deterioration of chronic cystitis, you should avoid tight synthetic inner coating.

Indirect constipation affects the risk of developing cystitis.Therefore, preventive measures also include methods of improving intestinal mobility.

Answers to popular questions

Which doctor should I contact for cystitis with?

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 bladder disease.Of course, it is simply impossible to contract cystitis through sexual contact.

However, there is a high probability of transmitting the partner those infectious agents that caused cystitis.But we need to 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 that 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 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, as it is impossible to completely protect it from urine particles;
• If there is a doubt about the simultaneous damage to the uterus, exclude deep penetration;
• At the end of intimacy, be sure to wash the external genitals;
• Use barrier contraception (only condoms).

Cystitis after intimacy, what are the causes?

Cysting development after sex is not a distant problem.Postkital cystitis (also called "honeymoon syndrome") occurs in approximately 45% of cases.As a rule, it is revealed 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 the 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 set of reasons also includes alternative vaginal and anal sex without changing a condom or without it at all.In this case, the causative agent of the cystitis is the intestinal microflora (bacillus);
3. Vaginal dryness.Due to the excessive dryness of the vaginal mucosa, tissue cracking occurs.The result is colpitis, which quickly provokes cystitis development.In this case, cystitis becomes a secondary disease.Therefore, you cannot have sex if a woman's genitals do not have enough desire and hydration;
4. It is also worth remembering sexually transmitted diseases.If the partner is ill or a carrier, the woman quickly becomes infected, and in this case there is a risk not only to develop a sexually transmitted disease itself, but also the 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 the cystitis.However, a number of physical activities should 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 only a few hours cystitis symptoms will become more pronounced;
• Winter sports.Almost all winter sports include prolonged exposure to the cold.In such conditions, the risk of developing hypothermia and deterioration of cystitis increases significantly.People who are interested in the skating of figures are advised to dress as warmly as possible, cover the pelvis and perineal area and should never sit on 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 recommended for cystitis.They strain the body's muscles evenly and do not lead to considerable fatigue.These are jogging, walking, basketball, volleyball.Dance is also allowed.It is important to remember that the dress should be appropriate.It is harmful to wear tight, tight clothes.A keyboard should not be appropriate;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 respond to this, we still need to continue from the current condition of the patient and the course of the disease.You can get warm baths (warm but not hot) only on stage when cystitis still does not make itself feel with specific symptoms.In this case, light heat is not only contraindicated but also useful.

Once one of the following symptoms appears, thermal procedures are strictly contraindicated:

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

If we are only talking about the initial stages of the disease, heat is allowed, but they should only be used within reasonable limits:

• Heating with dry heat.The salt is heated in a container at 38-40 degrees, poured into a fabric bag and applied to the injured site;
• Foot baths.The basin is filled with warm water, after which you should take a foot bath for 10-20 minutes.Then the legs are wiped dry and warm socks are placed;
• Sitz baths.In the early stages of cystitis development, you can get Sitz baths with the addition of medicinal plants.In this case, the water temperature should not be 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 organs other than the bladder are affected;
• Warm shower.The optimal way to relieve cystitis and perform hygiene procedures during the course of the disease;
• Warming your hands with warmth.A palm is placed in the bladder area for several hours;
• Heating compressed with eucalyptus oil.Effective in the absence of acute symptoms.But is contraindicated for allergies.

Can menstruation be delayed due to cystitis?

There is no direct cause-effect relationship between cystitis and menstrual irregularities.However, as mentioned earlier, rarely cystitis in women occurs only with bladder damage.As the infection grows, 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 ovary, estrogen production decreases.As a result, the cycle is interrupted, and then a delay in menstruation is possible.