Among many urological diseases, cystitis in women is the most common pathology.Etymology is caused by damage to the upper mucous layer of the inner wall of the bladder by an inflammatory process.Sometimes the submucosal layer and muscles are involved in the damage process, causing changes in the structure of the organ tissue and disruption of its function.
Women are more likely to develop cystitis (up to 80% of all patients).This is due to the peculiarity of the female anatomical structure of the urethra.It is wider and shorter than the male urethra, which does not cause difficulties for infectious agents.
The clinical picture of this disease can manifest itself in an acute or chronic course, with various symptoms and signs.
Causes of cystitis

Cystitis itself belongs to the classification of infectious diseases.Its genesis is associated with bacterial carriers: coliform bacteria (in 70%), spherical staphylococci and other bacteria.The main role in the occurrence of cystitis in women is given to the spread of infection from possible lesions in the body:
- In the basic organs (various forms of vulvovaginitis);
- The path descends with the flow of urine from the focus of inflammation in the kidney and the upper part of the ureter;
- Hematogenously by promoting the pathogen (through the bloodstream).
Often, acute cystitis in women develops as a result of structural underdevelopment of the urinary system or oncological neoplasms, which create obstacles to the normal process of urine production, contributing to its acute retention in the urinary system and the development of infection.
The development of pathology is influenced by various factors that contribute to a decrease in the overall resistance (resistance) of the immune system:
- Acute and chronic infectious diseases in the history (previously suffered) - inflammation of the appendages, fallopian tubes or ovaries, acute or purulent pyelonephritis, inflammation of the urethra;
- Hypothermia and prolonged sedentary work;
- Conditions and diseases that reduce immune protection (pregnancy and diabetes);
- Focus of chronic infection - sore throat, rhinitis or caries;
- Immunosuppressive drugs, stress and nervous system instability;
- back injury;
- Early sex;
- Neglect of hygiene;
- Age factor.
Cystitis forms and characteristics of manifestations
Cystitis in women can manifest itself in various forms, due to morphological changes in the wall of the bladder cavity.
- Catarrhal pathology is characterized by hyperemia and swelling of the mucous layer of the organ membrane, which is provoked by the action of the inflammatory process.
- In the hemorrhagic form, areas of bleeding damage appear on the mucous membrane.There is an increase in red blood cells and gross hematuria (dark or red urine).
- In the necrotic (ulcerative) form, deep depressions in the form of grooves are noted that penetrate into the muscle tissue of the membrane.
- The follicular form of the disease is characterized by tuberosity of the mucous layer, which is caused by the formation of follicular tubercles under the mucous membrane, which does not change the surface of the cavity itself.
- Fibrous appearance - the surface of the mucous layer is covered with a white or purple purulent film or fibrin.The bladder wall becomes inflamed, the upper layer of the cavity becomes denser and wrinkled.
- Cystitis bullosa is manifested by prolonged excessive redness and significant accumulation of infiltration (swelling) of the upper layer of the bladder.
- Polypous manifestations are characterized by a long-term inflammatory process that causes the development of polyps in the mucous layer and in the cervical region of the organ.
- In cystic pathology, under the lining of the mucous membrane of the bladder, single or group cystic neoplasms are formed, filled with lymphatic tissue and surrounded by a modified epithelium.
- The pathological type of encrusting is characterized by a long course.A characteristic symptom is the formation of phosphate deposits (encrustations) on the walls of the bladder cavity, which in turn contribute to the formation of stones.The transformation of carbamide (urea) to alkali occurs due to the fault of bacterial microorganisms that are capable of metabolism.
Signs and symptoms of cystitis in women

Clear symptoms of cystitis and clear signs of the disease in women are observed in acute cases, accompanied by general intoxication (malaise, weakness, chills, vomiting or nausea, slight increase in temperature).
When the disease, after remission (obvious recovery), periodically recurs (more than 2 times a year), it enters the chronic stage.Symptoms of chronic cystitis in women may be less pronounced.
The inflammatory process alternates with stages of remission and acute clinical course.Cystitis in remission does not show external signs and symptoms.As the disease worsens, many characteristic symptoms appear:
- Increased urge to urinate (every 20 minutes);
- Pain, burning and stinging along the urethra during urination;
- Pain in the suprapubic area (can be an independent symptom or accompany the release of urine);
- Unpleasant smell and turbidity of urine, the formation of debris, purulence or blood clots in it;
- Feel residual urine in the urine bag;
- Pain in the lumbar region and kidneys;
- Enuresis (urinary incontinence) may develop.
Chronic cystitis in womenhave various signs of the clinical course of this disease.
- The latent course is stable, with rare or frequent exacerbations.Symptoms are "erased" or completely absent.
- The persistent type is indicated by symptoms characteristic of chronic pathology.In this case, urinary function is not affected.Alternate remissions and exacerbations, signs of bleeding in the organs are possible.
- The interstitial course is characterized by signs of stable painful manifestations with significant symptoms.There is the spread of inflammation deep into the tissue, disruption of reservoir function (enuresis).This is the worst kind of disease.
With timely treatment, the disease can be dealt with quickly, otherwise complications are inevitable.
Possible complications
Lack of treatment, or wrongly chosen therapy, leads to relapse and complications of the disease:
- The transition of the inflammatory process into the muscle structure of the bladder wall - the development of the interstitial type of pathology.
- The spread of the infection goes up, affecting the organs above the urinary system, which contributes to the formation of the relevant background pathology - damage to the renal pelvis, purulent inflammation of the kidneys, etc.
- Intraperitoneal rupture of the bladder (not excluded) with the subsequent formation of peritonitis.
Cystitis - which doctor should a woman contact?

If signs of the disease appear, you must see a urologist to confirm the diagnosis.This doctor solves urological problems.
To exclude the consequences of an STD, you need to consult a gynecologist.You may need a swab of the vaginal flora, which will help identify the disease and determine the stage of its development.
Diagnostics - identifying diseases
To identify the disease, various types of diagnostic examinations are used, from express diagnostics to conventional examination methods, including:
- examination of blood and urine parameters;
- identification of hidden inflammatory processes in the urinary system;
- diagnosis of infectious diseases using PCR analysis;
- tank seeding for flora - detection of UPM (bacteria);
- identification of the underlying disease - ultrasound of the genitourinary system;
- analysis for vaginal dysbiosis;
- biopsy;
- endoscopic examination of the internal cavity of the bladder (cystoscopy).
How to treat cystitis in women?- drugs and medicines

How quickly cystitis in women can be cured depends on a properly structured treatment protocol.Treatment tactics include various therapeutic techniques.
Drug therapy involves the prescription of appropriate antibiotics for chronic cystitis in women to suppress concomitant infections - the class of cephalosporins and combinations of protected penicillins.
They are prescribed immediately, without waiting for the pathogen to be identified, with the subsequent adjustment of medications.
The main treatment is tablets.When treating cystitis in women, tablets are prescribed to relieve symptoms.These include anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory, antispasmodic and uroseptic agents based on nitrofurans and sulfonamides.As additional treatment, natural antispasmodics and uroseptics (herbs, herbs, etc.) can be prescribed.
Specific medications are prescribed individually.Because many of them have some contraindications and restrictions on their use.Treatment will be complete if you follow a gentle regimen and a balanced diet, because diet plays an important role.
- it is necessary to drink more fluids (still water, juice);
- more foods containing vitamin C;
- exclude from the diet smoked meat, spices, fried foods, dishes rich in potassium (dishes made from cottage cheese, cheese and milk);
- Alcohol is not allowed.
Steps to prevent cystitis
To avoid recurrence of the disease, you should strictly follow your doctor's recommendations.Basic rules:
- avoid hypothermia and prolonged sitting;
- eat up to 1.5 liters.daily fluids;
- avoid stagnation of urine (do not resist the urge);
- during intimacy, use protective methods;
- do not neglect personal hygiene (especially during the menstrual cycle).
Following these simple rules will protect you from retreatment of the disease.























