Cystitis: what are the symptoms of this urinary infection?

It stings, it scratches, it burns ... It's safe, it's a cystitis! During her lifetime, approximately 1 in 2 women will suffer cystitis : this ultra-common urinary infection is more common at the beginning of sexual activity (that is to say towards the end of adolescence) and after the menopause (around 55-60 years).

Why are women more susceptible to cystitis than men? The first reason is anatomical: in women, the urethra (this is the "outlet channel" of the bladder, through which the urine passes during the moment of urination) is shorter than in humans, which promotes the rise of bacteria in the bladder. The second reason is more subtle: women "hold back" more often to urinate than men, which promotes stagnation of urine, so the urinary tract infections...

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is a urinary infection localized in the bladder. Doctors talk about "acute infectious cystitis".

Concretely, cystitis occurs when a bacterium (Escherichia coli in 90% of cases) enters the urethra, goes up to the bladder and begins to multiply: when they are about 100,000 per milliliter, the Urinary tract infection is triggered.

There are also non-infectious acute cystitis, which means that they are not caused by a bacterium: the interstitial cystitis (a chronic disease now known as "painful bladder syndrome", the cause of which is not yet known) and the drug cystitis (which, as its name indicates, is linked to the taking of a medical treatment: chemotherapy, radiotherapy ...).

Generally benign (although unpleasant ...), acute infectious cystitis must imperatively be treated: indeed, there is a risk of pyelonephritis if the bacterium goes back into the kidneys. A vital emergency in case of kidney failure, diabetes or HIV.

What are the symptoms of cystitis?

If cystitis can also affect the man, it is about 10 times more frequent in the woman. here are the main symptoms cystitis not to ignore:

• a feeling of "burning" (or pain) at the time of urination,
• a feeling of "weight" in the lower abdomen,
• a frequent urge to urinate (with an impression of "not being able to hold back") with an emission of only a few drops (we speak of pollakiuria),
• a small amount of blood (hematuria) or pus (pyuria) in the urine,
• cloudy urine, which has a rather dark color and gives off a very strong odor.

Warning : if, to these symptoms, are added a high fever (about 39 - 40 ° C) accompanied by chills and sweats, lumbar pain and / or digestive disorders (vomiting, nausea, bloating, diarrhea ...), he may be pyelonephritis and it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Good to know : the use of spermicides, genital prolapse (the famous "descent of organs"), the wearing of panty liners and / or very tight clothing, transit problems (diarrhea or constipation), pregnancy, menopause and urinary incontinence are risk factors for cystitis!

To read : Dico of the girls, Mam Gynéco and Louison, ed. Hachette Health.

sources: Health Insurance, High Authority of Health

Read also :

⋙ Cystitis in seniors: antibiotics, it's automatic!

⋙ 6 essential reflexes to avoid cystitis

⋙ Cystitis: 10 effective treatments to cure or prevent urinary tract infection