Women’s health expert Dr Janine David has given advice
End-of-year festivities can be fun, but they’re also a “surprisingly common trigger” for cystitis, a doctor has warned.
Dr Janine David, women’s health expert and adviser to Effercitrate Tablets, said: “A third of females will have experienced cystitis by the time they reach the age of 24 and one in three women will develop a UTI during their lifetime.”
She said party-season habits were known to increase the risk.
Dr David continued: “Whether it’s the build-up to Christmas, the days in between or New Year celebrations themselves, routines change dramatically. Stress levels are high during this period, meaning we don’t pay attention to the health of our urinary tracts. Late nights and lowered immune function increase your risk.
“Too much alcohol and too little water, salty foods and snacks, all of which lead to dehydration, less frequent urination, all give urinary tract bacteria the opportunity to thrive and cause infection. Simply having sex, particularly with a new partner, can also lead to a bout of cystitis.
“The use of spermicides and a diaphragm can also increase risk, as can scented soaps and bath and shower products. Not peeing enough to clear your bladder and maybe not carefully wiping front to back after visiting the loo because we are anxious about getting back to the party can all add up to make the festive period a prime time for UTIs and cystitis flare-ups.
“The first sign you have it is usually a burning pain when you pass urine. You may want to pass urine more frequently, but only pass a few drops when you go to the loo. Your urine may be dark, cloudy and strong-smelling.
“You may also feel generally run down, miserable, tired and feverish and have lower back ache. If you notice these signs don’t ignore them as they could mean you have cystitis. Get advice from your pharmacist straight away.
Preventing and tackling cystitis
Dr David gave her tips, firstly saying to drink plenty of water to increase and strengthen the flow of urine, as this stops bacteria from taking hold in the urinary tract.
Go to the toilet when you need to. No one wants to miss out on anything, but if you need to go to the toilet, go; don’t hold on to it as this will allow bacteria to grow.
Take over-the-counter relief. Cystitis symptoms can be very debilitating. To soothe the symptoms and provide relief, try Effercitrate Tablets, which are available without the need for a prescription or a urine sample. These lemon and lime flavoured effervescent tablets, when dissolved, contain the ingredient potassium citrate and citric acid, which makes the urine more alkaline, helping to soothe the bladder and urethral lining and relieve discomfort caused by the infection.
Pee after sex, leaning backwards when you sit on the toilet to drain your bladder fully. Also, drink a large glass of water after sex to increase your urine flow. And wash your genital area before and after sex. Sex is a key trigger for cystitis – sex-induced cystitis accounts for around 60% of recurrent cases.
Choose cotton underwear and stay clear of tight-fitting jeans or trousers. Finally, take time to de-stress. Festive fun can be full on. Take some time out to enjoy the calm, as increased stress levels can mean lower immune levels, meaning your body is at greater risk of infections.
