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Conditions

Cystitis

Checking the results of a Cystitis Test

Cystitis is an infection of the bladder and is most common in women, with around one in six getting cystitis each year. Children and men can also get cystitis, though for men the cause could be more serious, such as an underlying bladder or prostate infection, an obstruction or tumour, or an enlarged prostate. Women who have cystitis for the first time should consult their GP for advice, as should men, if they experience a feeling akin to passing white hot molten metal. Mild cystitis will often clear up on its own after 2-4 days, but over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to reduce discomfort, and a trusty carton of cranberry juice can often relieve the symptoms of an attack. You should also abstain from sex until the infection has cleared up. We’re only talking a few days, so the nun’s habit and one-way ticket to the monastery isn’t necessary.

If you are worried that your child may have a urinary tract infection, then read our guide for parents on the Embarrassing Bodies: Kids website.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

Im 19 years old and have been suffering from UTI on a regular basis for the past 2 years, i had an operation to stretch my uretha and have been given many different antibiotics to take for a period of 6 months, however nothing works, im currently taking antibiotics and suffering an infection. It's very painful to go for a wee, i always feel the need to go for a wee but its only dribbles, im in a lot of pain when i wee and the only thing that helps is pouring warm/hot over my genitals when i wee, i cinstantly have a fever, shaking and sweating, i suffer from really bad headaches when i have an infection. Im so so so sick of feeling like this all time, please can someone help? I've followed every bit of advise form my GP, i dont take baths, i dont have unprotected sex, i wee before and after sex, take an antibiotic after sex.





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Iam having trouble sleeping as i constantly feel like i need to go to the toilet but when i get there nothing happens after the first time. It started 4 nights ago but has been really bad for two of them. it only happens at night, im fine during the day. does any know what this could be?





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hi i have a 9yr old girl who keeps getting reoccuring urine infections, she is now on long term trimethaprim and oxybutanin. she has had this from a very young age. she is in agony when she goes to the toilet and often gets a fever too. is there anything i can try to relieve this for her?





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I keep getting re-ocurring cystitis. Its normally mild and I can still go to work and get on with daily life. I have had to take antibiotics in the past for it. I drink plenty of water and it is normally triggered by sex but it's hit and miss as to when I will get it. It's very frustrating and just wondering why it keeps coming back.





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hi there im donna i have re ocurring cystitis too. i have been given a low dose of antibiotics that i take one a day it has helped me loads . also has your gp sent a sample to the lab to see if they grow anything? if not next time you have an attack as for this . also i was told to always have a pee after sex wipe from frunt to back and try not to use perfumed products in this area . if non of this helps then i sugest like me you see a urolagist again your gp can sort that for you

I am 20years old, ive had a urine problem since I was 16. I go little but often. I also suffer a lot with thrush, water infections and cystitis and occasionly get bad pains in my overaries, I believe their all linked. I drink a lot of water and have cut down on a lot of caffeine these past 4 years, but nothing ever changes. All the doctors say I have an irritated bladder, and refuse to look further into it. I had alcohol around my friends house, the whole night she only went 3 times, and I went 16 times and went toilet throughout the night. I have a commode in my room now as I go at least 3 times in the night. I don't drink for over an hour before I go to bed. I would really like a different opinion other then irritable bladder!





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Hi,I am a lady of 58yrs who has had bladder infections for many years i have had every test and investigation there is and my only treatment now is long term antibiotics which i have put on hold for now.My problem is my urine smells of fish all the time no other symptoms no stinging,pain or frequency i know what an infection feels like so is there any other reason for my urine to smell like this.





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Hi Susan, This might be a stupid answer but have you been checked for bacterial vaginosis? It's caused by an imbalance of ph inside the vagina and it can cause a fishy smell. Do a search online if you haven't heard of it. I hope this helps.

Hi Doctors, My problem is I have a pain coming from my back to my front around the middle and lower back up and down to toilet every minute have antibiotics from my Doctor but they don't seem to be doing anything drinking plenty. Is there anything else I can try I' exausted. Recovering Breast Cancer Patient also. Would that have a baring on anything?? Mary, Ireland. Thanks





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Hi I'm 43 yrs old,I've had a bartholins cyst/gland removed which was very painful. After 6weeks I now have another kind of pain which just occurs out of the blue and my gynaecologist reckons it mayb a trapped nerve so he has prescripted diclafenac which works for a while but as soon as the dosage wears off I'm back to square 1. I am so stressed out with this problem I just want a cure please can you help me!!! The pain makes me very depressed and I have been off work with this problem.





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I get Cystitis about every two weeks!I drink between 2 and 3 litres of water a day.I've had medication from the doctor and over the counter medications but nothing works.Can someone give me advice of what I should do?





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I have a small lump at the left side of my pubic bone near my leg which I thought was a boil I did try popping it but it was painful and only bits of blood coming out I have had it now 3 weeks and was just wondering what it could be it is not painful now but it is annoying me that it's there





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Could it be an ingrown hair?





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Cystitis means ‘inflammation of the bladder’. It causes: Read More »

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