The urinary tract is made up of the following:

• Kidneys, which produce urine
  
• Ureters, which carry urine to the bladder
  
• The bladder, which stores urine
  
• The urethra, which passes urine out of the bladder.

When the bladder becomes inflamed, usually due to bacterial infection, this condition is known as simple cystitis. Although anyone can be affected by simple cystitis, it most commonly occurs in women of childbearing age.

Symptoms of simple cystitis include:

• Burning sensation when urinating
  
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
  
• Blood in the urine

In addition to bacterial infection, which is discussed here, other causes of simple cystitis include certain medications or radiation.

Diagnosing Simple Cystitis

Your doctor will determine whether you have simple cystitis by performing a test known as a urinalysis. This simple test, which can be done in-office, examines a sample of your urine for bacteria, blood and pus. Another test your doctor may perform is a urine culture and sensitivity test. This test determines the presence of bacteria and their sensitivity to various antibiotics.

Treating Simple Cystitis

Antibiotics are used to treat simple cystitis. Antibiotics stop the growth of or kill bacteria that cause infection. Three to seven days of antibiotic therapy is the usual course of treatment. If your infection is severe, you may have to take the antibiotic longer. It is very important that you take all of your prescription to clear up this infection. Increased fluid intake is also recommended while on therapy.

Preventing Simple Cystitis

There are several steps that you can take to help prevent simple cystitis. These include:

• Urinating after intercourse,
  
• Avoiding products that can irritate the urinary area such as douches, sprays, spermicides, diaphragms, and deodorants,
  
• Urinating at least every 4 - 6 hours during the day,
  
• Seeking treatment from your urologist if you experience incontinence (leakage),
  
• Drinking at least 6 - 8 glasses of water per day,
  
• Wearing underwear with a cotton crotch,
  
• Avoiding wearing clothing that is tight in the crotch,
  
• Wiping yourself with toilet paper from front to back.

Patient Concerns

Unlike sexually transmitted diseases, simple cystitis is not contagious.
In some women, the use of diaphragms has been associated with simple cystitis.

Why Consult a Urologist?

A urologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract conditions. Your family doctor may refer you to a urologist if the symptoms of simple cystitis continue following antibiotic therapy. You should also see a urologist if you experience recurrent episodes of simple cystitis.

Will Urethral Dilation be Helpful in Treating Simple Cystitis?

Urethral dilation is a procedure that widens the urethra. It is used for treating a different urinary condition in which the urethra may become severely narrowed. It is not an effective treatment for simple cystitis or its prevention.

Can Estrogen Help Prevent Simple Cystitis?

Menopausal women have lower estrogen levels. As a result, these women will have less blood supplied to the lining of the urethra than do women who menstruate. Estrogen increases the blood supply to this area, helping to strengthen the urethra's natural defenses against bacteria.

Can Coffee, Carbonated Drinks, or Alcohol Cause Simple Cystitis?

Although drinking these beverages may result in frequent and urgent urination, they have not been shown to cause simple cystitis.

Can Drinking Cranberry Juice Prevent Simple Cystitis?

Recently, researchers have explored the use of cranberry juice to prevent simple cystitis. Although certain properties of the juice may slow down the growth of bacteria, you would need to drink large amounts of cranberry juice to see some benefit.

Why do Some Women Keep Getting Simple Cystitis?

Research is now being done to see why some women are more likely than others to experience recurrent symptoms. At the present time, however, the reasons for this are not clear. If you have recurrent simple cystitis, you may need further testing and evaluation by a urologist.