Cystitis is a very common urinary tract infection, especially in women. Despite everything, it remains complex and many received ideas circulate on its appearance, its treatment, and its prevention. To better understand this disease, urological surgeon François Desgrandchamps answered questions from Mélanie Gomez and his team in Without an appointment, on Europe 1.
What is cystitis?
It is an inflammation of the bladder, usually characterized by burning when urinating, and which can sometimes be accompanied by a few drops of blood. But we must immediately distinguish two types: the bacterial, and the so-called “interstitial”. “The first is often triggered by germs from the anus or rectum, when the second comes from a damaged mucous membrane which becomes permeable to urine”, explains the specialist at the microphone of Europe 1. To know what type cystitis affects us, it’s quite simple: the “interstitial” does not burn when we go to the toilet.
What are the factors that favor it?
“There are three factors that can trigger this disease. The first is a change in the rhythm of intestinal transit: diarrhea or constipation promoting germs around the anus or rectum.”
Cystitis can also be caused by a lack of estrogen, and therefore by a “destruction of the vaginal flora, which leaves room for germs”, explains François Desgrandchamps. This lack of estrogen is due to either menopause or an incorrectly dosed pill. In the first case, a rich treatment of this group of steroids must be taken, and in the second, a pill change is necessary.
As for the third factor, it is sexual intercourse: “The woman self-infects because the penetration opens the urethra slightly, and the secretions go up in the bladder”, indicates the urologist, who specifies that this found in a third of cases.
Does this reflect a lack of hygiene?
“On the contrary, it is even the opposite,” explains the specialist. Often women “feel dirty” because of the cystitis, and “wash their vagina too deeply”. “You have to respect the vaginal flora, it is the best bulwark against cystitis”.
Should we systematically consult?
“Cystitis can sometimes go away on its own, but if it doesn’t, it needs to be treated.” “And once again, it is necessary to distinguish an exceptional cystitis from a recurrent one,” details François Desgrandchamps at the microphone of Europe 1. In the first case, the specialist recommends a sachet of Monuril, an antibiotic which is taken only once and works for three days. But in the case of recurrent symptoms, it should be avoided: “It would help prepare for a recurrence by destroying the defenses”.
The specialist therefore advises to take preventive treatment from four cystitis per year, such as “one tablet of Cefixime three times a week for six months”. This will prevent the germ from reproducing without killing it, and therefore keep the natural defenses of the mucosa.
How to protect yourself from cystitis?
In addition to antibiotic treatment, it is possible to minimize the risk of cystitis with simple gestures. The first, and best known of all: drink a lot. But beware, “you also have to urinate often and don’t hesitate to sit on the bowl, even in public toilets,” said the expert. In fact, in the “contactless” position, the thighs are contracted and the perineum is closed. “The bladder must therefore force and we just empty the overflow”. To minimize the risk, you have to empty your bladder completely.
Finally, the other gesture to prevent cystitis is to drink … cramberries juice. This “halves the risk because it prevents germs from sticking to the walls of the bladder”, and therefore makes it difficult to trigger bacterial cystitis, which could be the prelude to “interstitial”. “The ideal is to drink a large glass of 200 ml twice a day, one in the morning on an empty stomach, and the other in the evening,” recommends the urologist. Following this treatment for six months allows the body to rebuild its defenses. In addition, it has the advantage of drinking almost half a liter of water a day, and therefore killing two birds with one stone.
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