Cystitis

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms of cystitis, it’s important to consult your health care provider promptly. Diagnosis is typically based on your symptoms and medical history.

Additional diagnostic tests may include:

• Urine analysis: A small urine sample is collected and checked for bacteria, blood, or pus — all signs of infection. If bacteria are detected, a urine culture may be done to identify the exact bacteria causing the infection.

• Imaging: Though not always necessary, imaging tests such as an X-ray or ultrasound may be used to detect other potential causes of bladder inflammation, including tumors or anatomical abnormalities.

More Information:
Cystoscopy | Ultrasound | Urinalysis

Treatment

Treatment for cystitis depends on the underlying cause. Bacterial cystitis is most often treated with antibiotics, while other types may require different management strategies.

Treating Bacterial Cystitis

Antibiotics are the first line of defense against bacterial cystitis. The choice of medication and treatment duration depend on your overall health and the specific bacteria found in the urine.

• First-time infection: Symptoms usually improve within a few days of starting antibiotics. However, you’ll likely need to continue treatment for 3 to 7 days depending on infection severity. Always complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent recurrence.

• Repeat infections: For recurrent UTIs, longer antibiotic courses may be required. You may also be referred to a urologist or nephrologist to rule out structural urinary tract problems. In some cases, taking a single antibiotic dose after sexual activity can help prevent recurrence.

• Hospital-acquired infections: These are often more difficult to treat due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Specialized antibiotics and treatment plans may be needed.

• Postmenopausal women: Your provider may recommend vaginal estrogen cream if it’s safe for your health profile, as it can help reduce infection risk.

Treating Interstitial Cystitis

There’s currently no single best treatment for interstitial cystitis. The cause of bladder inflammation remains unclear, so treatment focuses on symptom relief.

Possible options include:

• Oral medications to reduce inflammation and pain.

• Bladder instillation, where medication is placed directly into the bladder via a catheter.

• Nerve stimulation therapy, using mild electrical pulses to ease pelvic pain and urinary urgency.

• Surgery is considered only as a last resort when all other treatments fail, though it may not always relieve pain completely.

Treating Noninfectious Cystitis

Some individuals may develop cystitis from chemical irritation due to products like bubble baths or spermicides.

Key management steps:

• Avoid irritant products to reduce bladder inflammation and prevent recurrence.

• Stay hydrated to flush out bladder irritants.

• For cystitis caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, treatment focuses on pain management using prescribed medications.