Overview
Cystitis (sis-TIE-tis) is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder. Most of the
time, the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, and it's called a urinary tract
infection (UTI). A bladder infection can be painful and annoying, and it can become a
serious health problem if the infection spreads to your kidneys.
Less commonly, cystitis may occur as a reaction to certain drugs, radiation therapy or
potential irritants, such as feminine hygiene spray, spermicidal jellies or long-term use of
a catheter. Cystitis may also occur as a complication of another illness.
The usual treatment for bacterial cystitis is antibiotics. Treatment for other types of
cystitis depends on the underlying cause.
Symptoms
Cystitis signs and symptoms often include:

A strong, persistent urge to urinate

A burning sensation when urinating

Passing frequent, small amounts of urine

Blood in the urine (hematuria)

Passing cloudy or strong-smelling urine

Pelvic discomfort

A feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen

Low-grade fever
In young children, new episodes of accidental daytime wetting also may be a sign of a
urinary tract infection (UTI). Nighttime bed-wetting on its own isn't likely to be associated
with a UTI.
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical help if you have signs and symptoms common to a kidney
infection, including:

Back or side pain

Fever and chills

Nausea and vomiting
If you develop urgent, frequent or painful urination that lasts for several hours or longer
or if you notice blood in your urine, call your doctor. If you've been diagnosed with a UTI
in the past and you develop symptoms that mimic a previous UTI, call your doctor.
Also call your doctor if cystitis symptoms return after you've finished a course of
antibiotics. You may need a different type of medication.
If your child starts having daytime wetting accidents, call your pediatrician.
In otherwise healthy men, cystitis is rare and should be investigated by your doctor.
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Causes
Female urinary systemOpen pop-up dialog box
Male urinary systemOpen pop-up dialog box
Your urinary system includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. All play a role
in removing waste from your body. Your kidneys — a pair of bean-shaped organs
located toward the back of your upper abdomen — filter waste from your blood and
regulate the concentrations of many substances. Tubes called ureters carry urine from
your kidneys to the bladder, where it's stored until it exits your body through the urethra.
Bacterial cystitis
UTIs typically occur when bacteria outside the body enter the urinary tract through the
urethra and begin to multiply. Most cases of cystitis are caused by a type of Escherichia
coli (E. coli) bacteria.
Bacterial bladder infections may occur in women as a result of sexual intercourse. But
even sexually inactive girls and women are susceptible to lower urinary tract infections
because the female genital area often harbors bacteria that can cause cystitis.
Noninfectious cystitis
Although bacterial infections are the most common cause of cystitis, a number of
noninfectious factors also may cause the bladder to become inflamed. Some examples
include:

Interstitial cystitis. The cause of this chronic bladder inflammation, also called
painful bladder syndrome, is unclear. Most cases are diagnosed in women. The
condition can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

Drug-induced cystitis. Certain medications, particularly the chemotherapy drugs
cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, can cause inflammation of your bladder as the
broken-down components of the drugs exit your body.

Radiation cystitis. Radiation treatment of the pelvic area can cause inflammatory
changes in bladder tissue.

Foreign-body cystitis. Long-term use of a catheter can predispose you to
bacterial infections and to tissue damage, both of which can cause inflammation.

Chemical cystitis. Some people may be hypersensitive to chemicals contained in
certain products, such as bubble bath, feminine hygiene sprays or spermicidal
jellies, and may develop an allergic-type reaction within the bladder, causing
inflammation.

Cystitis associated with other conditions. Cystitis may sometimes occur as a
complication of other disorders, such as diabetes, kidney stones, an enlarged
prostate or spinal cord injuries.
Risk factors
Some people are more likely than others to develop bladder infections or recurrent
urinary tract infections. Women are one such group. A key reason is physical anatomy.
Women have a shorter urethra, which cuts down on the distance bacteria must travel to
reach the bladder.
Women at greatest risk of UTIs include those who:

Are sexually active. Sexual intercourse can result in bacteria being pushed into
the urethra.

Use certain types of birth control. Women who use diaphragms are at increased
risk of a UTI. Diaphragms that contain spermicidal agents further increase your
risk.

Are pregnant. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may increase the risk of a
bladder infection.

Have experienced menopause. Altered hormone levels in postmenopausal
women are often associated with UTIs.
Other risk factors in both men and women include:

Interference with the flow of urine. This can occur in conditions such as a stone
in the bladder or, in men, an enlarged prostate.

Changes in the immune system. This can happen with certain conditions, such
as diabetes, HIV infection and cancer treatment. A depressed immune system
increases the risk of bacterial and, in some cases, viral bladder infections.

Prolonged use of bladder catheters. These tubes may be needed in people with
chronic illnesses or in older adults. Prolonged use can result in increased
vulnerability to bacterial infections as well as bladder tissue damage.
In men without any predisposing health issues, cystitis is rare.
Complications
When treated promptly and properly, bladder infections rarely lead to complications. But
left untreated, they can become something more serious. Complications may include:

Kidney infection. An untreated bladder infection can lead to kidney infection, also
called pyelonephritis (pie-uh-low-nuh-FRY-tis). Kidney infections may permanently
damage your kidneys.
Young children and older adults are at the greatest risk of kidney damage from
bladder infections because their symptoms are often overlooked or mistaken for
other conditions.

Blood in the urine. With cystitis, you may have blood cells in your urine that can
be seen only with a microscope (microscopic hematuria) and that usually resolves
with treatment. If blood cells remain after treatment, your doctor may recommend a
specialist to determine the cause.
Blood in the urine that you can see (gross hematuria) is rare with typical, bacterial
cystitis, but this sign is more common with chemotherapy- or radiation-induced
cystitis.
Prevention
Cranberry juice or tablets containing proanthocyanidin are often recommended to help
reduce the risk of recurrent bladder infections for some women. However, recent
studies suggest that it's less effective than previously thought. Some smaller studies
demonstrated a small benefit, but larger studies found no significant benefit.
As a home remedy, avoid cranberry juice if you're taking the blood-thinning medication
warfarin (Coumadin). Possible interactions between cranberry juice and warfarin can
lead to bleeding.
Although these preventive self-care measures aren't well-studied, doctors sometimes
recommend the following for repeated bladder infections:

Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking lots of fluids is especially
important if you're getting chemotherapy or radiation therapy, particularly on
treatment days.

Urinate frequently. If you feel the urge to urinate, don't delay using the toilet.

Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. This prevents bacteria in the
anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.

Take showers rather than tub baths. If you're susceptible to infections,
showering rather than bathing may help prevent them.

Gently wash the skin around the vagina and anus. Do this daily, but don't use
harsh soaps or wash too vigorously. The delicate skin around these areas can
become irritated.

Empty your bladder as soon as possible after intercourse. Drink a full glass of
water to help flush bacteria.

Avoid using deodorant sprays or feminine products in the genital area. These
products can irritate the urethra and bladder.