Cystitis: Causes

What causes cystitis?

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder and possibly the urethra. Most often, cystitis is caused by a bladder infection, and it occurs most often in women.

Normally, the bladder, urethra, and the rest of the urinary tract are sterile and contain no bacteria or other microorganisms. Cystitis can occur when bacteria enters the bladder from outside the body through the urethra. Bacteria can also come from other parts of the body and cause cystitis by travelling through the bloodstream to the bladder.

Cystitis can also be caused by:

• An inflamed or enlarged prostate

• Certain types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy

• Irritation due to exposure of the genitals to perfumed soaps, genital deodorant sprays, or bubble baths

What are the risk factors for cystitis?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing cystitis.

Women who are sexually active, use diaphragms for birth control, and/or are past menopause are at an increased risk for cystitis caused by a urinary tract infection.

Certain other populations are also at a higher risk for developing cystitis. They include:

• Older adults and the elderly

• People who have a history of chronic conditions that affect the immune system, such as HIV/AIDS and diabetes

• People who have a history of kidney stones or kidney disease

• People who have an indwelling catheter in their bladder

• People who have had certain types of cancer treatments

• People who use perfumed soaps, use genital deodorant sprays, or take bubble baths, which can all irritate the urethra

• Women who are pregnant

Reducing your risk of cystitis

Not all people who are at risk for cystitis will develop the condition, and not all people who develop cystitis have risk factors. You may be able to lower your risk of developing cystitis by:

• Avoiding perfumed soaps, genital deodorant sprays, or bubble baths, which can all irritate the urethra

• Completing your medication treatment for a bladder infection/urinary tract infection exactly as directed

• Drinking cranberry juice, which may have infection-fighting qualities  

• Drinking sufficient water and emptying the bladder frequently and completely

• Maintaining good genital hygiene through daily gentle washing of the area with mild soap and water

• Maintaining, changing and cleaning indwelling catheters as directed

• Urinating as soon as possible after sexual intercourse

• For women, wiping the genital area from front to back after urinating or defecating