Cystitis is more common in women, and once you've had it, the bladder infection is more likely to come back. What can you do about it?
Ingrid Kuiper (GP): A bladder infection is an infection of the bladder. Complaints are pain during or after urination, pain in the lower abdomen often, but always having to urinate only small amounts. Your urine may be cloudy, smell foul, and contain blood. If the inflammation spreads, you can develop a fever and pain in your (lower) back, which may indicate a kidney infection.
Men vs. women
A bladder infection is usually caused by an intestinal bacteria, which ends up in the bladder via the urethra. Because women have a shorter urethra than men, they are more likely to have a bladder infection. For example, bacteria can get into the urethra during sex or when you wipe from back to front after going to the toilet. Men with an enlarged prostate and women with a prolapse are also more at risk. They are unable to empty their bladders properly, which means that bacteria can multiply in the urine that is left behind.
Other causes
Complaints associated with urination problems can also indicate an STI; Chlamydia can also cause inflammation of the bladder and urethra. Draft, cold and moisture cannot cause a bladder infection.
Tips
If you have a bladder infection, drinking cranberry juice can help; the acidification of the bladder kills the bacteria. It is also extra important to drink a lot and to urinate well.
To the doctor with bladder infection?
Always contact your doctor if your symptoms indicate a kidney infection. In case of complaints that indicate a bladder infection, men, children, young women, pregnant women and people who think that the inflammation is related to an STI should go to the doctor. This often prescribes a course of antibiotics.
Prevent
To prevent a bladder infection, a number of things are important:empty the bladder after sex, always wipe from front to back, drink enough and always empty your bladder completely.'
