Video
Consultation: Cystitis
Cystitis can affect anyone but it seems to particulary plague women (the excessive amounts of cranberry juice they drink usually gives them away). Around 40% of women will get cystitis (an inflammation of the lining of the bladder) in their lifetime and it can be quite painful. Dr Pixie McKenna is on hand to diagnose the condition and provide helpful tips on preventing cystitis in this consultation that featured in series one of Embarrassing Illnesses.
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I'm 19 and I've been getting random bouts of cystitus for the past few years. Water and cranberry juice help get rid of the feeling that you're desperate for the toilet and it sorts of 'dilutes' the burning/stinging when I pee. I've found that if I drink alcohol/fizzy drinks I can prevent it from balancing it out with coffees, water and juice. The tablets get rid of it but it always comes back.
I actually feel a sign of relief reading all these comments as i too suffer with cystitis. Iv had it now for over a year and its ruining my life, im constantly worrying that it could be more than just cystitis, but when i do go to my doctor's they just give me more tablets which don't help over a long period of time. I do find that drinking plenty of water each days helps get rid of the pain and drinking cramberry juice even though i hate it! I was reading one comment about cranberry flavoured tablets that are sold at Holland & Barrot which i might try. I have also recently met a new guy, but im too scared to get into a relationship with him and have sex. Me and my last partner broke up over this problem and i don't want it to happen again. I do think having a wee before and after sex and using lube whilst having sex helps the pain a lot, my doctor also said constantly keep yourself clean by washing daily and carrying wipes around with you helps too. I have also found that drinking alcohol makes the pain worse the next day when you wee, but i really do enjoy a drink with my friends now and again. I hope the comment i have left helps people out there with the same problem as me.
I suffered from cystitis off and on for many years which was brought on by sex. Consequently it ruined my sex life and at its worst I once peed myself in tesco trying to get medicine- mortifying. I have however found an absolute miracle cure for cystitis called waterfall d mannose. I buy it on the internet from a company called sweet cures and have not had it for 2 years now!
When do you take it? x
I am 27, I have had so many bouts of Cystitis, to the point I had it for 6 months in a row once a month. I have a regular partner and have been with him for almost a year. The doctor sent me away for tests eventually. The first doctor I saw was rude nasty and made me cry. I had a chlamydia test which came back clear thankfully but I recently found out my contraceptive pill is probably to blame. Do try cranberry juice, tonic water, barley water and clean well after sex and pee after sex as well and clean well after especially if you aren't using condoms. Following that advice I haven't had cystitis for 2 months now, but it's still a worry and I am going to be changing my pill.
Since meeting my boyfriend I have been suffering UTI's for the past 2 years now, and recently had 4 within the last 4 weeks. Been feeling really down and sick of this I've been back and forward to the doctors with samples and got more antibiotics, I'm now going on a 6 month course, not sure if it will help? Like everyone else I go through the do's of what to do and don'ts.. I find drinking lots of water and cranberry juice helps, urinating before and after sex helps. The past 2 months off and on I have also been getting a dull ache on the right side of my back, half way. would this be related?
My problem matches that of Ann and Emzie as I suffer cystitis after each time i have sex and is getting me so depressed! I also sometimes bleed after sex, and now suffer pain and a burning feeling on penetration. I too have tried the 'pee before and after' and drinking lots of water etc, but nothing works, and now im too scared to even have sex and has caused problems with me tensing up. And with a new job I don't want to be off sick with cystitis all the time! A friend abroad's gyaeno said it could be internal herpes.......anyone heard of this before???
I'm always suffering from utis I have just had one now just recovering but took 3 antibiotics before it started to help! its soo painful Im worried I will keep getting them =[
I had alot of time of college due to constant cystitus but I have learnt how to keep it under controll. I have had cystitus for 2 years constantly and anti biotics are not idea if you have it long term. I find if I drink a jug of water a day I will be fine, but if I miss a day of not drinking it comes back almost immeadiatly. I also find avoiding anything acidic ie crisps, fizzy drinks and orange juice etc help prevent it. Using lube during intercorse helps and having a shower straight after practically stops it.
Hi im 28yrs old and have had UTI nearlly every mth for the past 7yrs.I have been given antibiotics from my Gp,[they sometimes help,sometimes dont],have had scans to rule out stones, tumours etc [all negative], and i follow every DOs and DONTs.I also have ovarian cysts called chocolate cyst, Which i feel coinsides with UTI.I think there is definatly a link between the two and its really getting me down. I am out of work alot and i feel its slowly driving me mad.Please someone help? P.S i have had UTI even when i have not been in a sexual relationship
I have had many years of cystitis but it seems to be much more under control now. I ensure that we use good lubrication (parabens free, yesyesyes.org ) when we have sex so there is not too much bruising, I make sure I have a pee within 5 minutes of us finishing, and if possible wash with water with a few drops of lavender oil. The most important thing I take though is Cranberry plus which is a tablet with concentrated cranberry mixed with acidopholus. That makes a big difference - and I take it every day, but even if I havent been taking it, as long as I take it for a few days after making love, its fine. The other thing which has helped is acupuncture. It has made a great big difference to my life not to have cystitis - it used to get me down. And antibiotics dont do you any good long term. Good luck!