PREVENT
Don’t let cystitis interrupt the honeymoon
If you've ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI)—and
half of women have—you know the symptoms:
- burning or painful sensation
during urination
- urge to go frequently
- pain above the pubic bone
- cloudy or blood-tinged urine
Cystitis is a common form of UTI that can happen
after a woman's first sexual encounter or after a period of abstinence, which
is how it earned the nickname, "honeymoon cystitis."
Cystitis in women is common
It is more common among women in their 20s, but is also seen
in older women re-entering the dating scene. In addition to being very
uncomfortable, if left untreated, cystitis can lead to bladder or kidney
infection. Why don’t men seem to get cystitis? Women are more prone to UTIs
than men because of their anatomy; the female urethra is short and therefore
it’s easier to allow bacteria to enter the bladder.
Treatment for honeymoon cystitis
Cystitis can usually be treated quickly with an online visit, like Allina Health Virtual Care. This is especially convenient if symptoms start after clinic hours or over the weekend, since online visits have 24-hour access. Once your
doctor confirms cystitis, he or she will likely prescribe antibiotics to clear
up the infection. In very painful cases, a short-term pain reliever may be prescribed.
I advise women to abstain from sex until the infection clears up.
How to avoid contracting cystitis
Drinking plenty of
water and urinating often helps to flush out the bladder and urethra to
eliminate bacteria. And it helps to urinate immediately after sex to help expel
any bacteria that might have gotten into the urethra.
If you are susceptible to UTIs, try to maintain a healthy immune system and
avoid drinking too much coffee, soda and fruit juice if they irritate your
bladder. Some people report drinking cranberry juice on a regular basis can
help protect them from cystitis, but cranberry juice does not actually cure a
bladder infection once you've got one.
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