There’s nothing more frustrating than frequent bouts of either thrush or cystitis. These conditions are relatively harmless but leave you feeling uncomfortable and less than great down there. Most women experience one or both of these infections at some point but some are more prone to it than others.
What is cystitis?
Cystitis is a type of urine infection- known as a UTI (urinary tract infection). It happens when bacteria travels into the urethra and into the bladder, causing inflammation. In mild cases, cystitis will clear up by itself within three days but when symptoms persist and you don’t get treatment, the infection can spread to your kidneys which becomes more serious.
The symptoms of cystitis are:
- A burning, painful or stinging sensation when peeing
- Feeling the need to pee more often than usual
- Having a sudden, urgent need to pee
- Lower abdominal pain
- Cloudy, dark or smelly urine
- Feeling generally unwell
How is cystitis treated?
If you have cystitis, you’ll need a course of antibiotics to clear up the infection. If your symptoms are very mild and only last a couple of days, then you might not need treatment. However, it’s best not to wait to seek treatment, especially if you are in pain or discomfort, as your symptoms might get worse.
For men, cystitis is less common and is more likely to cause issues. Men should seek treatment right away and will need a longer course of antibiotics.
View our full range of cystitis treatments
How can I prevent cystitis?
There are some good habits you can get into to help prevent cystitis from recurring:
- Always pee as soon as possible after sex
- Use the bathroom as soon as possible
- Make sure you fully empty your bladder
- Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet
- Drink plenty of water to flush out bacteria from the urethra
What is thrush?
Thrush is a yeast infection which is caused by an overgrowth of the candida yeast. This is naturally present in the vagina and usually harmless, but when the normal conditions within the vagina are disrupted, this causes the bacteria to grow, leading to thrush. It’s not a serious condition but it can feel very uncomfortable.
The symptoms of thrush are:
- Itching and irritation in and around the vagina
- A white discharge
- Soreness
- Pain or stinging while urinating
Men might experience similar symptoms around the head of the penis, along with an unpleasant smell.
How is thrush treated?
Thrush treatments are available to buy over-the-counter and they usually consist of cream or pessary which is inserted into the vagina, alongside a cream for external itching and redness. For example, Canesten Duo. If you’ve never had thrush before, it’s best to visit your GP for a diagnosis to rule out any other infections.
View the full range of thrush treatments
How can I prevent thrush?
There are some minor changes you can make in order to improve the health of your vagina and prevent thrush from recurring:
- Avoid tight, synthetic clothing- stick to cotton underwear
- Avoid perfumed soaps or gels and feminine washes
- Stick to water or emollient to clean the area
- Have showers instead of baths
- Wear loose clothing that allows your skin to breathe
Sources
NHS: Cystitis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/
NHS: Thrush: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
