Bothered by burning urination?

Cystitis is common in Australia, affecting about 250,000 people every year, and is fifty times more likely to affect women than men. It often reoccurs and some people have about two to three episodes every year.

It can affect the bladder and the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder . Most are caused by the bacteria E.coli that can move from the bowel to the urethra and set up an infection in the bladder. Infections can be also be caused by sexually-transmitted bacteria.

How do you know if you have cystitis?

You will usually develop one or more of the following symptoms:

Frequent urge to urinate;

Burning pain on urination;

Sensation of a full bladder after urination;

Pain in the pelvic area;

Cloudy urine or blood in the urine.

When to see your doctor

If the infection progresses to the kidneys, it may cause chills, fever, lower abdominal pain and back pain. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms develop.

Encourage urine flow by drinking plenty of water;

Urinate when the first urge occurs and empty the bladder completely each time;

Wash frequently;

Use a front to back motion for wiping after going to the toilet;

Avoid restrictive clothing, underpants and pantyhose;

Avoid using contraceptive spermicides and empty the bladder after sex.

Cranberry for cystitis relief

Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) are one of the few plants native to North America where they grow in acidic bogs. Botanically, they are related to blueberries and they contain good levels of vitamin C and a range of health-promoting natural chemicals, including anthocyanins, that are powerful antioxidants.

Anti-bacterial activity

Bacteria need to be able to adhere to the epithelial lining of the urinary tract in order to multiply and cause an infection. Animal and human studies have shown that cranberry prevents E. coli sticking to the lining of the urinary .¹

Antioxidant activity

Cranberry has potent antioxidant activity and can protect body tissues from free radical damage. A study of sixty-five young women found that 1,200 mg of dried cranberry juice a day reduced the amount of damaged proteins in their bloodstream ² and a small study of men drinking cranberry juice for 2 weeks found that it lowered levels of oxidised cholesterol and increased the antioxidant capacity of their blood.³

Use of cranberry for Cystitis

Cranberry has been used in folk medicine to prevent cystitis since North America was colonised. A review of ten clinical trials found that cranberry products significantly reduced the incidence of cystitis and were particularly effective in women with recurring episodes of infection. ⁴

A small study of ten women with recurring cystitis found that a daily cranberry supplement for three months effectively reduced cystitis, confirmed by laboratory culture. ⁵ A Canadian study of 150 sexually active women found that either cranberry juice or cranberry extract tablets taken for one year decreased the number of patients experiencing cystitis, with tablets found to be twice as cost effective as organic juice. ⁶ In another study, 150 women with a history of at least one cystitis episode were given a cranberry-lingonberry drink daily for six months and had a reduced incidence over six months, the protective effect persisting for a further six months after treatment ended. ⁷

In elderly women, cranberry juice reduced the amount of bacteria in urine after one month. ⁸ In patients with spinal cord injuries, who often develop cystitis, cranberry juice was able to stop bacteria sticking to the lining of the urinary tract. ⁹ Cranberry seems to be most effective when used to prevent infections.

Cranberry for deodorising urine