Seeing off Cystitis

Fed up with urinary tract infections? Here’s how to make sure your seasonal celebrations don’t leave you feeling pricklier than a holly tree.

Peak times for cystitis sufferers tend to be holiday times, when you’re relaxed, mellow and in the mood for love. The reason? Cystitis has a nasty habit of occurring after too much sex, which also explains why it is sometimes called the honeymoon disease.

In the UK, between 20 and 40 per cent of women will suffer from cystitis at least once, and of these, as many as half will have several attacks. The usual cause is unwanted bacteria such as E.coli entering the urinary tract, which includes the bladder. If left untreated, the bacteria start to multiply, encouraged by the warm, moist environment, and an infection results.

Typical symptoms include cloudy or bloody urine; a strong urge to pee, even when you’ve just been; strong-smelling pee; pain or a burning, stinging feeling when you go and difficulty in passing water, or peeing only small amounts.

There are several over the counter remedies available but if you prefer a more natural approach, the most widely researched herbal answer is the cranberry. It used to be believed that cranberry juice’s mild acidity was what helped, but it is now thought that its benefits are down to particular polyphenols called ‘Proanthocyanidins’ (or PACs for short) found in the ruby-red berries They work by means of a process known as ‘anti-adhesion’, which stops the bad bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract’s walls. The potential infection is then flushed out naturally when you go to the loo.

Look out for extracts of the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), which is the richest source of PACs. You should take these within six hours of the first symptoms occurring and some trials now suggest that carrying on with the extracts for at least two weeks can help protect against further infections.

Cranberry products are available either in capsule form or as juice - you need to drink at least a litre of unsweetened cranberry juice a day to be sure of getting the optimum amount of PACs.

To help reduce the chances of succumbing to an infection in the first place, try echinacea. It’s also a great herb to take alongside cranberry as it supports the immune system and helps the body to fight all manner of infections.

Another natural solution can be found in the bearberry. This anti-bacterial herb is gently astringent and, because it has mild diuretic properties, encourages the production of urine, which helps to flush out the urinary tract. It can be taken as an infusion, in liquid form and as tablets. Bearberry should be avoided if you are pregnant or have kidney problems.

Horsetail, sometimes known as bottlebrush, is another herb that can be used together with wild hydrangea to help relieve urinary tract infections including cystitis and – in men – prostatitis, as it helps to soothe and reduce inflammation of sensitive, irritated tissues.

Dandelion should also not be forgotten. The Ancient Chinese were the first civilisation to officially record its cooling properties and to note its benefits in helping relieve symptoms of cystitis and other UTIs. The leaves and roots of this bittersweet herb are strongly diuretic, and contain high levels of potassium salts, which help to replenish the body’s supplies when they are reduced through urination.

Try this…

• Keep it clean. Frequent sex often leads to cystitis, so wash front and back before and after making love. Always wipe away from the anal area to ensure unwanted bacteria is kept well clear of the urinary tract.
• Don’t hold on. Urine that is allowed to stay in the bladder can stagnate and lead to infection, so make sure you go when you feel the need.
• Wear cotton for comfort. Underwear that allows air to circulate helps to stop harmful bacteria from multiplying.
• Drink up. Aim to drink at least a glass of water every hour at the first hint of symptoms. It may make you want to go to the loo more, which is exactly what you need to do to flush out the bacteria. If you can’t face all that water, try diluted, decaff tea or coffee instead, but steer clear of acidic fruit juices, which may make the problem worse, not better.

Doctor, doctor…

If your symptoms do not improve after a few days, you notice blood in your urine, you are or may be pregnant, you start to have pain in your back, loins, abdomen, you start to feel feverish or weak, or your cystitis keeps coming back you should see your GP as soon as possible.