Among many urological diseases, cystitis in women is the most common pathology.The etymology is due to the damage of the upper mucous layer of the internal walls of the bladder from the inflammatory process.Sometimes the submucosal and muscular layer is involved in the damage process, causing changes in the structure of the organ's tissues and disruption of its functions.
Women are more likely to suffer from cystitis (up to 80% of all patients).This is due to the peculiarity of the female anatomical structure of the urethral canal.It is wider and shorter than the male urethra, which does not cause difficulties for infectious agents.
The clinical picture of the disease can appear in an acute or chronic course, with different symptoms and signs.
Causes of cystitis

Cystitis itself belongs to the classification of infectious diseases.Its genesis is related to 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 descending path with the flow of urine from the foci of inflammation in the kidneys and the upper parts of the ureter;
- Hematogenously 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 an obstacle to the normal process of urine output, contribute 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 general 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 defense (pregnancy and diabetes);
- Chronic foci of infection - sore throat, rhinitis or caries;
- Immunosuppressive drugs, stress and nervous system instability;
- Back injuries;
- Early sexual relations;
- Neglect of hygiene;
- The age factor.
Forms of cystitis and features of manifestation
Cystitis in women can appear in different 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's membrane, provoked by the action of the inflammatory process.
- In the hemorrhagic form, areas of bleeding damage appear on the mucosa.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 observed that penetrate the muscular tissue of the membrane.
- The follicular form of the disease is characterized by the tuberosity of the mucous layer, caused by the formation of follicular tubercles under the mucous membrane, which do 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 walls of the bladder become inflamed, the upper lining of the cavity becomes denser and wrinkled.
- Bullous cystitis is manifested by prolonged excessive redness and significant accumulation of infiltrate (swelling) of the upper layer of the inner lining of the bladder.
- The manifestation of polyposis is characterized by a long-term inflammatory process that provokes the development of polyps in the mucous layer and in the cervical area of the organ.
- In cystic pathology, under the mucous layer of the bladder, single or group cystic neoplasms are formed, filled with lymphatic tissue and surrounded by modified epithelium.
- The crusting type of pathology is characterized by a long course.A characteristic symptom is the formation of phosphate deposits (encrustations) on the walls of the bladder cavity, which then contribute to the formation of stones.The transformation of carbamide (urea) into alkali occurs due to the fault of bacterial microorganisms capable of metabolism.
Signs and symptoms of cystitis in women

Vivid symptoms of cystitis and pronounced signs of the disease in women are observed in acute cases, accompanied by general intoxication (illness, weakness, chills, vomiting or nausea, a slight increase in temperature).
When the disease, after remission (apparent recovery), periodically recurs (more than 2 times a year), it passes into the chronic phase.Symptoms of chronic cystitis in women may be less pronounced.
Inflammatory processes alternate with the phase of remission and the acute clinical course.Cystitis in remission does not show external signs and symptoms.When the disease worsens, many characteristic symptoms appear:
- Increased desire to urinate (every 20 minutes);
- Pain, burning and stinging along the urethral tract at the time of urination;
- Pain in the suprapubic area (it can be an independent symptom or accompany the release of urine);
- Unpleasant smell and turbidity of urine, the formation of flakes, purulent clot or blood in it;
- Feeling of urine remaining in the bladder;
- Pain in the lumbar region and kidneys;
- Enuresis (urinary incontinence) may develop.
Chronic cystitis in womenthere are different signs of the clinical course of the disease.
- The latent course is stable, with rare or frequent exacerbations.Symptoms are "hidden" or completely absent.
- The continuous type is manifested by symptoms characteristic of chronic pathology.In this case, the urinary functions are not impaired.Alternating remission and worsening, signs of internal bleeding are possible.
- The interstitial course is characterized by persistent painful signs of manifestation with markedly pronounced symptoms.There is a spread of inflammation deep in the tissues, a disorder of the reservoir function (enuresis).This is the most serious type of disease.
With timely treatment, the disease can be treated quickly, otherwise complications cannot be avoided.
The possibility of complications
Lack of treatment, or wrongly chosen therapy, leads to relapse and complication of the disease:
- The transition of inflammatory processes to the muscular structure of the bladder wall - the development of an interstitial type of pathology.
- The increasing spread of infection, affecting the covering organs of the urinary system, which contributes to the formation of accompanying background pathologies - 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 should consult a urologist to confirm the diagnosis.It is this doctor who solves urological problems.
To exclude the consequences of STD, you should consult a gynecologist.You may need a smear of the vaginal flora, which will help identify the disease and determine the stage of its development.
Diagnosis - identification of the disease
To identify the disease, various types of diagnostic examination are used, from express diagnosis 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;
- planting tanks for flora - detection of UPM (bacteria);
- identification of basic diseases - 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 correctly designed treatment protocol.Treatment tactics include various therapeutic techniques.
Drug therapy includes prescribing appropriate antibiotics for chronic cystitis in women to suppress associated infections - a class of cephalosporins and a combination of protected penicillins.
They are prescribed immediately, without waiting for the pathogen to be identified, with the subsequent adjustment of the drugs.
The main treatment is tablets.During the treatment of 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 an additional treatment, natural antispasmodics and uroseptics (herbs, herbs, etc.) can be prescribed.
Specific drugs are simply prescribed individually.Since many of them have a number of contraindications and limitations in their use.The treatment will be complete if you follow a gentle regimen and a balanced diet, as diet plays an important role.
- it is necessary to drink more liquids (still water, juices);
- more foods containing vitamin C;
- exclude from the diet smoked meat, spices, fried foods, dishes rich in potassium (preparations made from cottage cheese, cheese and milk);
- Alcohol is not allowed.
Measures for the prevention of cystitis
To prevent the return of the disease, you must strictly adhere to the recommendations of your doctor.Basic rules:
- avoid hypothermia and prolonged sitting;
- consume up to 1.5 liters.fluids per day;
- avoid urinary retention (do not endure the need);
- during intimacy, use protective methods;
- do not neglect personal hygiene (especially during the menstrual cycle).
Following these simple rules will protect you from relapse.























