Cystitis occurs when the bladder is inflamed due to a bacterial infection or a reason unrelated to an infection. While the majority of women experience cystitis at least once in their lives, some are known to suffer recurring cystitis.
How to Get Rid of Cystitis: Home Remedies and Treatments
The good news is that mild cases of cystitis can often be resolved with home remedies. If symptoms persist longer than three days, however, a course of antibiotics is likely required as treatment to clear a bacterial infection.
Bacterial cystitis will rarely resolve on its own without a course of antibiotics and if left untreated, the infection could spread to the kidneys with far more serious implications.
However, antibiotics will not help to treat non-infectious cystitis. In these cases, healthcare providers might prescribe medication to relax the bladder or relieve the pain during urination until the underlying cause is identified and treated or eliminated.
Home remedies and natural supplements that can help ease the symptoms of cystitis, whether bacterial, non-infectious, or due to recurring UTIs, include the following:
Drink Plenty of Water
Given the frequent urge to urinate that comes with cystitis, it might seem like a good idea to lower your water intake and urinate less, but the opposite is true. Drinking at least 2.5 liters of water per day is recommended to help flush harmful bacteria or irritants from the body.
Take a Daily Probiotic
In addition to improving gut health, probiotics are also helpful in maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome. As well as restoring a healthy balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria after an infection, a daily probiotic can also help to prevent future UTIs from developing.
While antibiotics are prescribed to kill harmful bacteria like E. coli, they also tend to kill beneficial bacteria like lactobacilli. When the vaginal microbiome is weak after a course of antibiotics, UTIs and cystitis can easily reoccur and the onset of yeast infections is also common. Taking a daily probiotic that contains lactobacilli, such as Flora Bloom Feminine Probiotics, can prevent this.
Take Daily Aloe Vera Supplements with added D-mannose & Calcium
These helpful supplements are known to provide fast relief from cystitis symptoms, particularly the burning sensation while urinating and the frequent need to urinate. In several studies, aloe vera has been proven to reduce bladder pain, urinary frequency, urgency, and urethral burning by as much as 92%.
D-mannose is a type of sugar that prevents harmful bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract or bladder wall. And the alkalizing properties of calcium help to restore a healthy vaginal pH balance after infection. For those suffering from recurring UTIs or chronic cystitis, these natural supplements can also be taken long-term.
Take a Break from Sex
Due to the increased risk of spreading harmful bacteria to the urethra during sex, women with cystitis are advised to refrain from intercourse until they fully recover.
Avoid Irritating Drinks & Foods
Acidic, citrus, and spicy foods are known to irritate the bladder, as well as alcoholic drinks, tea, and coffee, so it’s wise to avoid them while recovering from cystitis.
Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Cystitis
All women are susceptible to UTIs and cystitis and while some might experience one time, others can suffer repeatedly. In any case, it’s helpful for women to understand what they can do in their everyday lives to avoid the onset of both.
Some of the best tips include:
- Drink 2.0-2.5 liters of water per day to flush any harmful toxins & bacteria from the body
- Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria from the anus
- Due to the A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) in cranberries, drinking 500ml of unsweetened cranberry juice daily can prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract. It’s important to note, however, that drinking unsweetened cranberry juice will not help treat UTIs or cystitis once they’ve started
- When urinating, take time to empty the bladder to prevent any harmful bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract
- Avoid using spermicides as a form of contraception to prevent allergic reactions, pH imbalances, and bladder inflammation
- Don’t douche or use fragranced hygiene products around or in the vagina to prevent irritation and maintain a healthy vaginal pH balance
- Always urinate after sex to flush any harmful bacteria that could have entered the urethra
- Wash the vagina daily, and after sex, with warm water (unscented soap is optional)
- Drink at least 2-2.5 liters of water daily to stay hydrated and flush harmful bacteria from the urinary tract
- Take showers instead of baths
- If you suffer from recurring UTIs or cystitis, consider a daily probiotic and an aloe vera supplement with added D-mannose and calcium for improved bladder health
Conclusion
Cystitis is known to affect as many as 50% of women at least once, with a higher risk of recurrence for those who are sexually active, pregnant, or menopausal. The good news is that cystitis is treatable once the underlying cause is identified and preventable with the practice of some simple hygiene and lifestyle tips.
For those suffering from recurring cystitis, a daily probiotic and a regular intake of aloe vera supplements with added d-mannose and calcium can ease symptoms and promote bladder health to prevent future infections.
References
Cleveland Clinic – (Bladder Inflammation) Cystitis - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21203-bladder-inflammation-cystitis
Alliance Eurology – Cystitis vs UTI: How to Tell the Difference? - https://allianceurology.com/cystitis-vs-uti-how-to-tell-the-difference/
National Library of Medicine - Role of inflammation in bladder function and interstitial cystitis -
National Library of Medicine - Use of Lactobacillus probiotics for bacterial genitourinary infections in women: a review - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18405785/
Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology - Aloe vera gel: Effective Therapeutic agent against Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infection - https://microbiologyjournal.org/aloe-vera-gel-effective-therapeutic-agent-against-extended-spectrum-%CE%B2-lactamase-producing-escherichia-coli-isolated-from-patients-with-urinary-tract-infection-in-tehran-iran/
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences - A promising support for acute urinary tract infections in women. A pilot study - chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2920-2925-D-mannose-a-promising-support-for-acute-urinary-tract-infections-in-women.-A-pilot-study.pdf
National Center for Biotechnology Information - Consumption of a cranberry juice beverage lowered the number of clinical urinary tract infection episodes in women with a recent history of urinary tract infection - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27251185/