Cystitis

Cystitis from a UTI typically causes an urge to pass urine, increased frequency in passing urine, burning sensation when urinating and/ or dark, cloudy and smelly urine. You may also experience a high temperature (fever), discomfort in the lower tummy and blood in the urine.

Cystitis is typically caused by bacteria on the skin or bowel that get into the bladder or urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body). This is more common in women since their urethra is shorter than that of men, its opening is near the anus and so they are at a higher risk of coming in contact with bacteria.

Risk factors include sexual intercourse, wiping from back to front after using the toilet, inserting tampons or using diaphragm contraception.

The first choice of antibiotic to treat a UTI and cystitis in women is called Nitrofurantoin (MacroBID), which can be prescribed through our Click Doctor service. This clears the most common bacteria known to cause a UTI.

In addition, our Click Doctors recommend drinking lots of water, refraining from sexual intercourse during this time and using over the counter pain relief for the burning pain on passing urine or tummy discomfort.