This article examines the so-called Honeymoon cystitis, also Honeymoon cystitis called, closer. In particular, the causes, diagnosis and course, types of treatment and prevention options are discussed.
What is honeymoon cystitis?
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The term honeymoon cystitis is a very euphemistic expression for an inflammation of the bladder. Honeymoon (English for honeymoon) - It is called cystitis because the inflammation often occurs in women in connection with sexual intercourse.
Honeymoon cystitis is an unpleasant, but uncomplicated, ascending infection of the urinary tract in which bacteria have entered the bladder via the urethra and irritate the mucous membrane there.
A urinary tract infection is particularly favored by the anatomy of the female body, medical interventions, disorders of the urine outflow from the urinary bladder and age.
causes
Honeymoon cystitis occurs predominantly in sexually active women. This is no coincidence: the female urethra is about 4 cm shorter than the male (about 20 cm) and the vagina, anal area and the outer urethra opening in women are very close to each other.
Sex and anal hygiene are not insignificant in this context. Bacteria from the vagina can easily enter the urethra during sexual intercourse. Once they get into the bladder, the bacteria cause irritation of the mucous membrane on the inner wall of the bladder, which leads to a strong urge to urinate even with small amounts of urine. The sensitivity of the sphincter muscles to stimulation increases.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
The symptoms of honeymoon cystitis (honeymooncystitis) are similar to those of any other cystitis. The typical thing about so-called honeymooncystitis, however, is that the symptoms set in after intense sexual contact. Honeymoon cystitis affects women particularly often, and in rarer cases also men.
The disease usually progresses without complications and usually heals completely on its own or a short time after treatment with antibiotics. However, complications can sometimes occur in immunocompromised patients. The main symptoms of honeymooncystitis are a burning sensation when urinating and an increased need to urinate. In the beginning, the symptoms are often only mild, so that the disease is played down.
However, the frequent need to urinate does not result in an increased amount of urine. Every time you go to the toilet, only small amounts of urine are excreted. In addition to the burning sensation, itching in the urethra is also common. Changes in the urine may occur. Cloudy urine is often observed. In some cases, the urine even turns reddish due to mixed blood.
Some patients also experience abdominal pain. The pain can sometimes also radiate to the back. This could be a sign that the kidneys have already become inflamed. Honeymoon cystitis is usually very treatable through frequent bladder flushing (frequent emptying of the bladder by drinking a lot) and the use of antibiotics.
Diagnosis & course
Honeymoon cystitis is very uncomfortable and manifests itself as an increased need to urinate, burning sensation and pain when urinating. The small amount of urine released is typical. Sometimes the urine is covered with blood or pus, and fever and abdominal cramps can occur.
Taking a urine sample is important for the diagnosis. The so-called “central beam” is caught and examined. The genitals should be thoroughly cleaned before urine. A rapid test with urine test strips detects red and white blood cells and nitrite as a breakdown product of the bacteria in the urine. Often this test is enough to enable an effective therapy.
If a more severe urinary tract infection has occurred, a microscopic urine examination or other further examinations, e.g. B. the ultrasound examination of the bladder and kidneys necessary.
Complications
In most cases, honeymoon cystitis is just a harmless symptom that can be treated quickly and effectively so that there are no further complications or complaints. Honeymoon cystitis can develop, especially in women who have not been sexually active for a long time.
This leads to an increased urge to urinate and thus to frequent urination. Urination itself is associated with pain. In some cases, the urine is darkly colored with blood and the patient develops a fever. The patient feels uncomfortable and weak. However, honeymoon cystitis heals on its own after a few days.
If the inflammation does not heal on its own, in rare cases it can lead to kidney inflammation. Honeymoon cystitis can be treated relatively quickly with the application of heat. Sexual activity should be avoided.
Citrus fruits and alcoholic beverages should also be avoided, as they can exacerbate honeymoon cystitis. If there is no improvement in self-help, antibiotics can be prescribed by the doctor. After about a week, these lead to a positive course of the disease without further complications.
When should you go to the doctor?
It is quite common for newly married women to get honeymoon cystitis. "Honeymoon cystitis" is caused by germs that have migrated into the bladder during sexual intercourse. Basically, it is a common cystitis. Their creation process is described with this term.
A spread of bacteria and germs into the bladder is to be taken seriously. However, it only requires a doctor's visit in severe cases. Honeymoon cystitis can also occur in sexually active women beyond their honeymoon. The cause in this case is usually a long break in sexual activities.
Immigrant intestinal bacteria or bacteria that the man brings with him can be identified as the cause. To protect the bladder from this, it should be emptied quickly after intercourse. A diaphragm can also trigger such bladder infections. It should then be removed. If certain spermicides are the cause of the bladder infection, they should be discontinued. They are mostly on conventional condoms.
A slight honeymoon cystitis can be treated symptomatically with bladder tea, warmth and rest. To avoid further irritation of the bladder, sexual activities should be restricted until subsided. However, if you notice stronger symptoms such as fever in addition to the typical urge to urinate, the burning sensation when urinating and abdominal pain, a visit to the doctor is inevitable.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
The uncomplicated honeymoon cystitis can be treated with antibiotics and is usually very curable. After taking antibiotics, the symptoms usually subside within three days.
There are also simple self-help measures that support healing. If you have a cystitis, you should drink plenty of fluids. This stimulates the urge to urinate and flushes the bacteria out of the bladder, and bacteria that rise up cannot easily get into the bladder. Warm cotton underwear and a hot water bottle ensure pleasant warmth.
Those who do not want to use antibiotics should first try to relieve the discomfort with tea, warmth and herbal remedies. Juniper berries are considered to be highly diuretic. However, it should be noted that they are not tolerated by everyone. In addition, if the symptoms do not decrease, a doctor should be consulted who can prescribe a suitable antibiotic.
Outlook & forecast
The prognosis of honeymoon cystitis is no different from any other form of acute cystitis. Slight gradients last a few days, during which they can be painful and uncomfortable. The affected patient has to urinate frequently and may suffer from a slightly elevated temperature. The urine rarely contains small amounts of blood during this time. The symptoms will subside by themselves after a few days.
If the course is severe, the pain is more severe and the temperature may rise significantly. With this form of cystitis, the patient usually goes to the doctor on her own and is prescribed antibiotics. These also show their effects within days. In honeymoon cystitis, sexual activity in the acute phase can cause the inflammation to last longer or to return after symptoms have improved because it has not yet completely healed. It is therefore advisable to avoid sexual intercourse during this time for quick healing.
Whatever the cause of the honeymoon bladder infection, intercourse would also mechanically irritate the irritated bladder and make the inflammation worse. If the pain during the honeymoon cystitis is no longer bearable, a doctor should be consulted.
prevention
To prevent honeymoon cystitis, careful intimate hygiene with clean water, the correct "wiping direction" after defecation, adequate hydration and warm clothing are often sufficient. The choice of contraceptive can also be crucial.
For example, the use of diaphragms and sperm-killing creams increases the risk of cystitis, while condoms prevent it. Women who develop cystitis easily should get used to urinating immediately after sex - this reduces the risk of infection.
People prone to bladder infections should not sit on cold stones and make sure that the area around the bladder is kept warm (e.g. with cotton underwear). In fact, the cold can apparently promote inflammation, even if it is not directly caused by the cold.
Uncomplicated honeymoon cystitis can be cured quickly. Anyone who struggles with a cystitis three times a year should seek a detailed discussion with the doctor to clarify the causes.
Aftercare
In most cases, follow-up care measures or options for honeymoon cystitis are severely limited. This disease must first and foremost be recognized and treated at an early stage so that there are no further complications. In most cases, the life expectancy of the person affected is not reduced by the disease, although an early diagnosis always has a positive effect on the further course.
The treatment of honeymoon cystitis is done with the help of antibiotics. It is important to ensure correct and, above all, regular intake. The doctor's instructions should also be followed. Most of the time, the antibiotics still have to be taken after the symptoms have subsided.
When taking antibiotics, alcohol should be strictly avoided, as this will reduce their effect. In many cases, those affected by honeymoon cystitis also have self-help measures available, so that a hot water bottle can also be used to alleviate the symptoms.
Appropriate contraception should be selected to prevent honeymoon cystitis, and a doctor can be advised. Those affected should also not expose themselves to cold unnecessarily, as this can promote honeymoon cystitis.
You can do that yourself
A honeymoon cystitis usually heals in a few days without the administration of medication. Affected women can take a few measures themselves to alleviate the symptoms.
It is important to drink more fluid to stimulate the urge to urinate. Still mineral waters and herbal teas are particularly suitable. Tea made from nettles or juniper berries are considered to be highly diuretic.Pay attention to possible intolerances. This allows the bacteria to be flushed out of the bladder and urethra.
Local heat applications with the help of hot water bottles or cherry stone pillows are perceived as very pleasant by those affected. Herbal supplements with extracts from centaury, lovage and rosemary relieve pain and the burning sensation. In addition, these substances promote the drainage of bacteria.
Sick people should use cotton underwear. This can be washed at high temperatures and absorbs moisture. This prevents an excessively humid environment in the genital area so that the bacteria do not spread any further. If there is a fever, particular attention should be paid to physical restraint.
Consult a doctor if the urine becomes bloody or if pus appears. The same applies to recurring complaints. In order to prevent another honeymoon from cystitis, good intimate hygiene is important. It is also advisable for women to urinate immediately after intercourse. Condoms can also prevent re-infection.
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