Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection
It's a very common condition, affecting most women at some point in their lives
Symptoms often include stinging or burning when peeing, and needing to go frequently
It doesn't usually cause a high temperature in adults
It can occasionally lead to a more serious kidney infection if left untreated
About Cystitis
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder lining, usually caused by a bladder infection, and often affects the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) at the same time, making both areas feel sensitive and sore. It's a very common condition, affecting more than half of women at some point in their lives, and some people experience repeated episodes.
Typical symptoms include a stinging or burning feeling when peeing, needing to pee frequently and urgently even when little urine is passed, and general discomfort in the lower tummy. In adults, cystitis doesn't usually cause a high temperature — if you have a temperature of 38C or above alongside pain in your lower back or sides, this could suggest a kidney infection instead, which needs prompt attention. Cystitis mostly happens because bacteria, often from the bowel, enter the bladder through the urethra — something that occurs more easily in women, since the urethra, vagina and anus sit close together.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
Cystitis · Self-Care
Easing Cystitis Yourself
? 4 min readReviewed: March 2024
What Can Help
For mild symptoms, taking paracetamol up to four times a day can help with pain, and drinking plenty of fluids — around 2 litres a day — helps flush the bladder and dilute the urine. A hot water bottle placed over the tummy or between the thighs can ease discomfort, and some people find that a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water, taken every few hours, or an over-the-counter remedy containing potassium citrate, helps reduce the acidity of urine and eases stinging.
It's best not to use antibiotics left over from a previous infection or borrowed from someone else — if you've been given "stand-by" antibiotics by a doctor for future use, these should only be started once you've provided a urine sample for testing, following your doctor's specific instructions. A pharmacist can also offer advice and, in some areas, may be able to provide antibiotics directly through a cystitis management service if needed.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
Cystitis · Recurrent Cases
Cystitis That Keeps Coming Back
? 4 min readReviewed: March 2024
Managing Frequent Episodes
Some people experience cystitis often enough to need regular or long-term treatment. If it tends to happen after sex, a doctor may prescribe a single-dose antibiotic to take within two hours of sex. If it isn't clearly linked to sex, a low-dose antibiotic taken for a trial period, often around six months, may be suggested instead to help prevent further episodes.
In some cases, antibiotics don't seem to work, or urine tests don't pick up an infection despite ongoing symptoms — this can suggest a long-term (chronic) bladder infection that current tests don't always detect well. If this happens, it's worth asking your GP for a referral to a specialist for further investigation, since long-term, undiagnosed infections have also been linked to a slightly increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over. Since ongoing symptoms can significantly affect quality of life, it's important to keep pursuing further advice if standard treatment hasn't resolved things.
Page last reviewed: 6 March 2024 · Next review due: 6 March 2027
