Cystitis Symptoms: Signs, Causes & How To Treat It

Medically reviewed by
Dr. IkejiLast reviewed: 01 May 2025
Cystitis is a common type of urinary tract infection that causes bladder inflammation. It’s commonly caused by bacteria and affects more women than men, although anyone can be affected.
Cystitis usually occurs when bacteria enter your bladder via your urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. It’s different to interstitial cystitis, also known as bladder pain syndrome – a condition which causes your bladder to become extra sensitive, resulting in bladder pain and a frequent need to pee.
Knowing the signs of cystitis and what to look out for can help you get fast and effective cystitis treatment.
What are the symptoms of cystitis?
There are several symptoms of cystitis, which can be mild or more serious. You may only experience some of these symptoms, others may experience all of them, and in some cases, it’s possible not to get any cystitis symptoms.
The most common cystitis symptoms include:
- dysuria – also known as painful urination and causes a burning or stinging sensation while peeing
- frequent urge to urinate – you may feel the need to pee more often than usual even if you only pass very small amounts
- cloudy, dark, or strong smelling urine – healthy urine is usually light, straw coloured, and clear
- lower abdominal or pelvic pain – such as feeling a pressure or discomfort in the bladder area
- feeling of incomplete emptying – you may not feel like you have emptied your bladder after going for a pee and may feel the urge to go again soon after
- hematuria – you may notice a pink or reddish colour to your urine which indicates the presence of blood and is caused by bladder inflammation
Cystitis symptoms can come on quickly and suddenly. It’ll usually get better on its own within a few days or you’ll need antibiotics to clear the infection.
Symptoms in severe cases of cystitis
Severe cystitis can cause additional symptoms, including:
- generally feeling unwell
- tiredness
- a high temperature (fever)
- feeling or being sick
- confusion (more common in older people)
These can be signs that the infection has spread to your kidneys, sometimes called an upper urinary tract infection. If this is the case, you will need antibiotics to treat the infection and make you feel better again.
What causes cystitis?
Cystitis is caused by a bacterial infection with Escherichia coli (E.coli) accounting for around 75% of cases. Normally, these bacteria live harmlessly in your bowel or around your vagina, but several factors can increase your risk of getting cystitis, such as:
- having sex – which can transfer bacteria from your vagina or anus into your urethra
- damage or irritation to the urethra
- using a diaphragm as a method of contraception
- wiping from back to front after going to the toilet
- not emptying your bladder fully when you pee
- using harsh soaps or feminine hygiene sprays that can be irritants
- underlying health conditions like diabetes or menopause-related changes, such as vaginal atrophy (vaginal dryness)
Other risk factors
Several other factors can increase your risk of cystitis. They are:
Urinary catheters
Having a urinary catheter, a tube that’s inserted into your urethra to drain urine out of your bladder, increases your risk of cystitis. The risk also increases the longer the catheter is fitted – one study found that urinary catheters are linked to more than 60% of UTIs.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones may increase the risk of cystitis because they can block the flow of urine, resulting in an environment that promotes bacterial growth. Research shows that kidney stones and UTIs present simultaneously in up to 36% of cases.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes and a growing womb can increase the risk of UTIs, including cystitis in pregnant women. This is because pregnancy can make it more difficult to empty your bladder fully, leaving behind some bacteria and making cystitis more common. Cystitis occurs in around 1% to 2% of pregnant women.
Weakened immune system
A weakened immune system increases the risk of cystitis and other UTIs because your body finds it harder to fight off bacterial infections in the urinary tract. Some of the common conditions that can weaken the immune system include:
- diabetes
- chronic kidney disease
- having a kidney transplant
- cancer – treatments like chemotherapy may also make a UTI more likely
For people who have had a kidney transplant, UTIs are the most common infection, affecting 45% to 72% of patients.
How to treat cystitis
Cystitis normally clears up on its own after a few days, but you should see a doctor if:
- your symptoms last more than a few days
- this is the first time you have had cystitis
- you have signs of a kidney infection (such as fever, abdominal pain, back pain, and vomiting)
- you are pregnant
- the infection has returned (recurrent cystitis)
- you are a male – a doctor will want to rule out other conditions and causes for the infection as UTIs are uncommon in people with a penis as the urethra is longer
There are prescription and over-the-counter treatments available for cystitis. A pharmacist can recommend cystitis relief sachets to manage uncomfortable symptoms but if you need treatment, you’ll need a prescription from a doctor.
Prescription treatments

The first line treatment for cystitis is nitrofurantoin, a type of antibiotic. It’s exclusively prescribed for UTIs like cystitis because it filters out of your blood and into your pee, so it works directly at the site of the infection.
Nitrofurantoin works by killing the common types of bacteria that cause UTIs, including E. coli. The usual dose is 100mg taken as slow release capsules, twice a day. Clinical trials show that nitrofurantoin cures UTIs in 70% of people.
To prevent the infection from coming back, it’s important to finish the antibiotic course your doctor prescribes, which is typically between 3 and 7 days depending on your symptoms and whether you have a penis or vagina. UTIs in men are less common and need a longer treatment course of 7 days.
Most people will begin to feel better or notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few days. If you have recurrent cystitis, your doctor may prescribe a daily dose of nitrofurantoin to prevent the infection from returning. How long you take this for and at what dose will depend on a number of factors, so your doctor will discuss this with you when prescribing.
You can request cystitis treatment online from Superdrug Online Doctor. Alternatively, if you’re not sure you have cystitis, you can test yourself at home by ordering a TestCard UTI Test which will give you your results within seconds, straight to your mobile.
Over-the-counter treatments

An alternative to prescription treatments are cystitis relief sachets. They contain ingredients like sodium or potassium citrate that work by reducing the acidity of your urine. In doing so, this reduces the burning or stinging sensation when you pee.
However, there is not much clinical evidence to suggest that cystitis relief sachets get rid of the infection though it can provide temporary relief from symptoms. One study found that sodium citrate granules given for 48 hours provided symptom relief in 80% of people with cystitis symptoms.
How to manage cystitis symptoms at home
You can manage mild cystitis symptoms at home by:
- taking paracetamol (not ibuprofen) up to 4 times a day to relieve pain
- drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- avoiding drinks that may irritate your bladder like fruit juice, coffee, fizzy pop, and alcohol
- applying a hot water bottle over your tummy to relieve abdominal pain
- getting rest if you are feeling generally unwell
- avoiding sex until you feel better
- peeing frequently and avoid holding it in
- trying natural remedies like cranberry juice, lemon barley water, or dissolving 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in water every 4 hours
Preventing cystitis
There are several things you can do to help prevent cystitis or to stop it coming back, known as recurrent cystitis, such as:
Do: | Don’t: |
---|---|
✓ Pee as soon as you can after sex This should help flush out bacteria that could cause an infection. |
✗ Hold your pee, if you need to go, go Not peeing when you need to can cause bacteria to multiply, increasing the risk of a UTI. |
✓ Drink plenty of water or fluids throughout the day This will help you to pee regularly and prevent bacteria travelling up the urethra. |
✗ Drink lots of alcohol, sugary drinks, and coffee These are bladder irritants worsening symptoms like needing to pee often and urgently. |
✓ Wipe from front to back after you have been to the toilet This stops bacteria from reaching the urethra and travelling to the bladder. |
✗ Wipe from back to front after you have been to the toilet This increases the risk of transferring bacteria from your anus to your urethra. |
✓ Wash your vulva (the skin outside the vagina) before and after sex Only use lukewarm water and do not wash inside the vagina. |
✗ Use scented soap, bubble bath, or talcum powder These can disrupt the natural balance of the vagina. |
✓ Have showers rather than baths This will keep exposure to perfumed soaps to a minimum. |
✗ Rush when you go to the toilet Try to empty your bladder as much as possible each time. |
✓ Keep your genitals clean and dry Moist areas can help bacteria thrive, increasing the risk of infection. |
✗ Have lots of foods and drinks that contain sugar These could encourage bacterial growth. |
✓ Use a non-spermicidal lubricant during sex Try a water based lubricant or explore a different type of contraception. |
✗ Use spermicide with condoms or a diaphragm Spermicidal lubricants can encourage bacterial growth. |
FAQs
Why do I get cystitis after sex?
You may develop cystitis after sex, sometimes referred to as ‘honeymoon cystitis’ because bacteria from the genitals or anus can be pushed into the urethra during sex. This is particularly common in women because they have a shorter urethra than men.
Why do I keep getting cystitis?
Recurring cystitis can be caused by several factors including bacteria entering the bladder, a weakened immune system, some medical conditions, and lifestyle choices, like:
- not completing a course of antibiotics
- not emptying your bladder properly
- having sex too soon after having cystitis
- using perfumed soaps
Can you flush out cystitis?
While drinking plenty of water can dilute your urine and may help flush out bacteria or reduce the burning or stinging sensation, it may not effectively manage all cystitis cases. You may need to target the specific cause. For example, if the cystitis is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be needed. Whereas, interstitial cystitis will need to be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and lifestyle changes.
Can thrush cause cystitis?
No, thrush does not usually cause cystitis, but having thrush could increase your risk of developing urinary tract infections. It’s also important to note that sometimes thrush and cystitis can cause similar symptoms. If you’re not sure you have cystitis, you can get a quick diagnosis by ordering a TestCard UTI Test.
Can BV cause cystitis?
No, bacterial vaginosis (BV) does not cause cystitis but some research suggests that BV may increase the risk of cystitis in women who use a diaphragm as a method of contraception.
Is cystitis a sexually transmitted infection?
No, cystitis is a urinary tract infection (UTI) not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, sex can increase the risk of developing urinary tract infections.
Sources
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- Association Between Bacterial Vaginosis and Acute Cystitis in Women Using Diaphragms, JAMA [accessed 08 April 2025]
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Adult Patients, PubMed [accessed 07 April 2025]
- Common questions about nitrofurantoin, NHS [accessed 08 April 2025]
- Nitrofurantoin, PubMed [accessed 07 April 2025]
- Nitrofurantoin 100mg Capsules, emc [accessed 07 April 2025]
- Nitrofurantoin: properties and potential in treatment of urinary tract infection: a narrative review, PubMed [accessed 07 April 2025]
- Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli: Mechanisms of Infection and Treatment Options, PubMed [accessed 08 April 2025]
- Urinary Tract Infections in Immunocompromised Patients with Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Kidney Transplant, PubMed [accessed 07 April 2025]
- Urinary Tract Infection in Pregnancy, PubMed [accessed 07 April 2025]