Cystitis is a fairly common disease that doctors often deal with. By the way, according to statistical studies, the fair sex is more susceptible to this ailment. The question of what causes cystitis in women and what factors can cause the disease is quite natural. And patients are interested in the methods of diagnosis and treatment offered by modern medicine.
What is cystitis?
Before considering the question of why cystitis is often found in women, it is worthwhile to understand what this disease is. Cystitis is a disease that is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the walls of the bladder.
It is believed that this is a kind of "female ailment." Naturally, men are prone to this kind of disease, but 80% of patients with this diagnosis are precisely the fair sex aged 20 to 40 years. What causes cystitis in women and why are they so susceptible to the disease? The features of the female anatomy are important here, because the anus and vagina are located very close to the urethra, and the canal itself is wider and not as long as that of men, which is why infection from the outside penetrates the urogenital organs much more often.
Why is cystitis in women? The main causes of the disease
A similar diagnosis is faced by many patients. But before considering treatment methods, it is worthwhile to find out what causes cystitis in women. In most cases, inflammation develops against the background of the activity of a bacterial infection. Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the tissues of the reproductive system from the external environment, and can spread from other foci of inflammation.
In fact, there are a huge number of factors that can provoke an inflammatory process in the bladder:
- Previously transmitted infectious diseases with a chronic or acute course. This may be salpingitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, adnexitis, sexually transmitted diseases.
- Anatomical features of the urogenital system of a woman, for example, stricture.
- Oncological diseases can also interfere with the normal excretion of urine, causing stagnation of urine, which, accordingly, creates ideal conditions for the reproduction of bacteria.
- Extremely cold body.
- Decreased immune activity, including during pregnancy.
- "Sedentary" work, as in this position, stagnation of urine and other fluids in the pelvis is often observed.
- The presence of chronic foci of infection, including, for example, caries, chronic tonsillitis and rhinitis.
- Diabetes mellitus, which affects the functioning of the immune system.
- Constant stress and nervous strain (affect the state of immunity).
- Taking medications that inhibit the activity of the immune system.
- Failure to comply with intimate hygiene standards.
- Chronic lack of sleep, malnutrition.
- Elderly age.
- Early onset of sexual activity, frequent change of partners.
- Genital injuries and damage to the lower back.
It is very important to know what causes cystitis in women. After all, treatment in most cases depends on the root cause. That is why a thorough diagnosis is so important.
Classification: what types of ailment exist?
In modern medicine, there are several classification schemes for this disease. So what is cystitis in women? Depending on the cause, there are:
- Infectious cystitis caused by the activity of pathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses.
- Non-infectious inflammation can be triggered by an allergic reaction, medication or the ingestion of toxins, radiation therapy.
Depending on the type of infection, cystitis is divided into:
- Specific, which is caused by the penetration of pathogens of chlamydia, gonorrhea, ureaplasmosis into the body.
- Nonspecific cystitis - caused by the activation of conditionally pathogenic microflora of a woman’s body, for example, E. coli, staphylococci, streptococci.
Depending on the course, an acute and chronic form of the disease is distinguished. Cystitis can be primary or secondary (occurs as a complication of another disease).
The main symptoms of the disease
Now you know what causes cystitis in women. But, of course, it is worth familiarizing yourself with its main symptoms, because the sooner you notice the signs and consult a doctor, the easier the therapy process will go.
Acute forms of the disease have a very characteristic clinical picture. One of the most common symptoms includes frequent urination (sometimes every 10-15 minutes). In this case, not so much urine is released, and the process of urination is accompanied by pains and severe pain. Many women complain of pain in the suprapubic region - it can occur during urination or be present constantly.
Urine usually becomes cloudy. Often in it you can notice white flakes, impurities of pus or even blood. Some patients have lower back pain (this usually indicates the spread of the inflammatory process to the kidneys). Symptoms of the inflammatory process are present, in particular, fever, chills, weakness and fatigue, body aches.
Modern diagnostic methods
If you have symptoms, you should definitely consult a specialist. To begin with, the doctor collects an anamnesis. The patients are shown a gynecological examination, as well as a consultation about a therapist and a urologist. Diagnosis includes several laboratory tests, in particular, a swab from the vagina to determine the microflora. You also need to pass blood and urine samples - so you can detect the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Bacteriological culture is necessarily carried out in order to isolate the pathogen and check its sensitivity to antibacterial agents. Next, an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs is performed. Sometimes doctors additionally prescribe cystoscopy (makes it possible to assess the condition of the bladder from the inside) and urography.
How is cystitis treated? Drug therapy
In the process of diagnosis, it is very important to determine what causes cystitis in women. Treatment directly depends on the cause of the development of the inflammatory process and the general condition of the patient's body.
Therapy in this case must be comprehensive. If cystitis is caused by the activity of bacterial microorganisms (which occurs in 80% of cases), then the patient is prescribed antibacterial agents.
Other treatments and tips
In some cases, along with conservative therapy, women are also recommended thermal procedures. It is recommended to refuse salty and spicy foods, spices, chocolate and coffee during treatment. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to maintain water balance.
Physiotherapy is usually used in the treatment of chronic forms of cystitis. And in such cases, mud applications, UHF procedures, electrophoresis with the use of drugs, iontophoresis (antiseptics and nitrofurans are used) are effective.
Possible complications of the disease
Now you know what causes cystitis in women (with blood). Treatment in most cases goes smoothly. Complications develop if the therapy was carried out incorrectly or was completely absent.
The infection can spread to other tissues, in particular, to the muscle layer of the bladder - this form of cystitis is already much more difficult to treat. The inflammatory process often goes to other organs of the genitourinary system, provoking the development of nephritis and other diseases. The most dangerous complications include rupture of the bladder with subsequent peritonitis - fortunately, this is rarely recorded in modern medicine.
Why is there cystitis in women after sex?
Quite often, inflammation of the bladder develops in the fair sex after it is after intercourse. In the people, this phenomenon even has its own name - “honeymoon syndrome”. Often, cystitis develops immediately after the first sexual experience, as there is a change in the usual microflora of the vagina.
Why is cystitis common in women after sex? In fact, there can be many reasons. For example, not all partners adhere to hygiene rules before and after intercourse (this applies not only to women, but also to men). Tissue infection may occur due to condom rejection. Prolonged sexual intercourse, especially in the absence of a sufficient amount of lubricant, injures the vaginal mucosa, which creates excellent conditions for the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms and their migration through the genitourinary system. The risk factors should also include the use of contraceptives that alter the normal composition of vaginal discharge.
Is treatment at home appropriate?
Today, many patients are interested in the question of what causes cystitis in women and how to treat it at home. To date, a huge number of folk recipes are known, but it is worthwhile to understand that you can use any means only after consulting a doctor. Inadequate use of home recipes can lead to a lot of unpleasant and dangerous consequences.
Quite often they recommend thermal procedures that help relieve soreness. For example, you can put a heating pad on the lower abdomen or prepare a sitz bath from a decoction of medicinal plants (sage, chamomile flowers, grass of a row are suitable). Tea from red rowan bark is considered useful (100 g of bark should be boiled in a liter of water).
Echinacea may be helpful. By itself, this remedy cannot cure cystitis, but the tincture of this plant stimulates the activity of the immune system, which speeds up the healing process.
Prevention of cystitis: helpful tips for women
Now you know what causes cystitis in women and how to treat it. But, you must admit, it is much easier to prevent the development of the disease than to undergo therapy and cope with the consequences. There is no specific prophylactic agent, but women are advised to adhere to certain rules.
As you know, quite often infections become the cause of inflammation, which is why patients are advised to adhere to the rules of personal hygiene, to refuse to wear panties - thongs and any too tight underwear. It is very important to use condoms during sexual intercourse. It is worth avoiding hypothermia and dressing in the weather. And women are recommended to follow the rules of hygiene and undergo routine medical examinations.