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Woman’s
Health Specialist Dr Catherine Hood from Effercitrate A lot of women tell me after having sex with their partner they then
experience cystitis a day or two afterwards. Some have also confided
they experience reoccurring episodes of cystitis after intercourse that is
affecting their sexual relationship with their partner, resulting in either
abstinence or increased levels of stress and anxiety when having sex. Estimates show that sex-induced cystitis accounts for around 4% of lower
urinary tract infections (UTI), with this figure rising to 60% for recurrent
cases[1],
demonstrating sex as a key trigger of cystitis for millions of women in the
UK. In this latest e-news we take a look at the relationship
between cystitis and sex. What is cystitis? Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder and can be caused by a urinary
tract infection. It is a very painful condition causing burning
pain when you pass urine, passing urine frequently, or having the urge to
pass urine frequently. There may be blood in the urine and the urine may be
cloudy and smell more or different from normal. You may also have a high
temperature and feel feverish. Cystitis is very common, particularly in women and most women will have
cystitis at least once in their lifetime and up to one in three[2] women will have recurrent cystitis. What’s the
relationship between sexx and cystitis? Cystitis is 30 times more common in women than in men, and sexually active
women have on average one episode of cystitis every 2 to 3 years.[3] This is because women have a shorter urethra (the tube through which urine
leaves the body) and the opening is located very close to the anus
(bottom). This makes it easier for bacteria present in the large bowel
to reach the bladder and cause an infection. Factors
that increase the risk of cystitis in women include sexual intercourse, the
use of spermicide, a new sexual partner in the last year and the use of
contraceptive diaphragms. As 90%[4] of
cystitis is caused by bacteria from the rectum, movements during sex help
move these bacteria up the urethra into the bladder. Movement during
sex may also cause damage to the urethra and this slight damage can
cause bacteria to thrive and infect the urethra and bladder. With
oral sex, bacteria can still be introduced to the urethra by the movement of
your partner’s mouth and cause an infection. Love making positions can also
come into play here. Sex from behind, in particular, can inflame the urethra.
This applies to sexual relationships between males as well as relationships
between men and women. Whilst
symptoms of cystitis are far more common in women than men, cystitis can
sometimes occur in men, especially those between the ages of 15 and 50,
especially if they are sexually active, take part in anal sexx and/or are
uncircumcised. Cystitis in men is often a symptom of an infection so
they should see a doctor if it’s recurrent. The risk of cystitis with
any sexual activity is increased if you don’t pee afterwards. If you are
prone to cystitis, it’s important to have a large glass of water every time
you have sex, so you can then go for a pee. Soothing Cystitis To soothe the symptoms of cystitis and provide swift relief Effercitrate Tablets
are a simple, drinkable, palatable solution to take when cystitis strikes - vital for
those suffering from cystitis. Busting cystitis fast is essential as it can
be very debilitating.
Available without the need for a prescription or a urine sample, the lemon
and lime flavoured effervescent tablets contain the ingredient potassium
citrate when dissolved – which makes the urine more alkaline, helping to
soothe the
bladder and urethra lining and relieve discomfort caused by the infection. Simply dissolve two tablets
into a glass of water (this is where the ingredients become active and do
their job). Drink the pleasant
lemon and lime solution. Relief
provided from the burning irritation and discomfort caused by cystitis.
What can I do to
reduce the risk of cystitis after sex? Healthy self-care
around sex is important, particularly if you suffer from frequent bouts
of cystitis. Dr Catherine Hood, sexual health expert on behalf of www.effercitrate.co.uk
shares her top 10 tips for reducing the risk of getting cystitis.
For
more information visit www.effercitrate.co.uk E |
