Cystitis is a disease that affects the urinary system of the female or male body. This pathology literally means an inflammatory process in the bladder, specifically in its wall. Many people wonder if men have cystitis, because this pathology is more typical for women. However, men are also susceptible to this disease.
The difference between male and female cystitis is not only in the frequency of lesions, but also in the causes of their occurrence. If in women the pathology often develops initially, then in men the inflammatory process occurs as a complication of some other disease.
Pathogens that cause cystitis in men and women may be different. Most often, inflammation is caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli, but on the other hand, Staphylococcus, Proteus, and various protozoa, for example, Trichomonas, can settle on the bladder wall. A separate class consists of sexually transmitted pathogens, a possible complication of cystitis.
Etiology
Causes of cystitis symptoms in women are:
- Any disease of the genitourinary system that is not treated (or detected prematurely) is often inflammatory (both specific, for example, genital, and non-specific);
- Chronic pathology of any body system (especially at the acute stage);
- Hypothermia (meaning not so general as local in the genital area and pelvic organs, for example, sitting on cold concrete);
- Professions that require prolonged sitting (office positions and others);
- Chronic stool disorders (constipation);
- Improper genital hygiene;
- Experiments in sexual life (meaning the change of anal contact to vaginal contact without first changing the condom or water procedure on the part of the partner);
- Tight and synthetic underwear, as well as jeans, tights, pants;
- Insufficient amount of urination per day (at least 5 times usual);
- Non-compliance with personal hygiene during menstruation is one of the common causes of cystitis in women;
- Immunodeficiency expresses any genesis (both primary immune deficiency and decreased immunity caused by stress, excessive physical exercise).
Unlike women in men's bodies, proper adherence to the rules of intimate hygiene is often a sufficient measure to prevent inflammation. And even in this case, cystitis can occur as a complication of advanced urethritis. However, there are several factors that trigger pathology.
Causes of cystitis symptoms in men:
- Inflammatory processes (acute and chronic) in the prostate gland, urethra, testicles and appendages;
- Anomalies of the anatomical structures of the urethra (for example, strictures) that cause urine stagnation;
- Urolithiasis or foreign bodies entering the urinary system;
- The presence of genital inflammatory pathology (gonorrhea is complicated by cystitis);
- Pyelonephritis or kidney tuberculosis (damage caused by the path of infection down);
- Inflammatory process in the body of a man (rare);
- Injury to the organs of the urinary system or directly to the bladder;
- Improperly performed diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations on the organs of the genitourinary system;
- Diabetes is a dangerous predisposing factor.
symptoms
Although there are etiological differences in the development of the inflammatory process, the clinical picture of the disease in both sexes is not different. Symptoms of cystitis in men and women:
- Frequent (and often false) urges to urinate;
- Pain during urination (burning or cramping pain, intense, short, characterized by an increase in amplitude towards the end of urination);
- Permanent pain (in women in the lower abdomen, and in men in the penis or pubis);
- Reduces the amount of urine per pee;
- Subfebrile temperature and general signs of the inflammatory process (weakness, fatigue, pallor, dizziness) are characteristic of bacterial cystitis.
Since this pathology is characterized by a form of chronic cystitis, it should be explained that the clinical picture in such cases will be vague. All the above symptoms will be expressed only during the exacerbation period. In remission, patients may experience pain in the abdomen or groin, or frequent urination.
Classification
In addition to acute and chronic forms of the disease, there are also different types of cystitis.
- Bacterial (or infectious) cystitis. This form can be either specific or non-specific. This disease is caused by infectious agents, especially bacteria. A specific pathology option is venereal disease that can be complicated by symptoms of cystitis in men and women.
- Interstitial cystitis. This form is caused by agents that are not infectious, but mechanical or chemical in nature. In this case, all layers of the bladder are affected until the appearance of a perforated ulcer. Factors that can cause disease are injuries, chemicals, physical influences.
- radiation cystitis. This form of cystitis stands out as a separate one because of the specificity of the event. At its core, the type of radiation is considered interstitial, but it does not occur due to accidental exposure to factors, but in the treatment of oncological diseases. To a greater extent, this applies to the occurrence of acute or chronic cystitis symptoms in men, because their pelvic organs are often exposed to radiation due to prostate cancer.
- Hemorrhagic cystitis. In fact, this form is a complication of common cystitis and is characterized by bloody impurities in the urine originating from the bladder. Impurities can be microscopic, that is, invisible to the eye, and many (hematuria).
Pain during pregnancy
Cystitis in pregnant women in the early and late stages is a serious pathology that requires high-quality treatment. Women are more prone to inflammation in the bladder than men due to anatomical features, however, pregnant women are at risk for several additional reasons:
- Reduces the body's resistance to infectious pathogens;
- Inadequate nutrition of the bladder due to the great pressure of the uterus on the blood vessels that feed it;
- Hormonal changes.
It is congestion and reduced immunity that lead to the development of cystitis during pregnancy. The main feature of the inflammatory process in pregnant women is its asymptomatic course, which does not always happen, but still happens. Therefore, a woman's routine examination should be thorough and aimed at identifying hidden pathologies. Treatment of cystitis during pregnancy is necessary, but difficult, because taking strong antibiotics can adversely affect the fetus.
Therefore, in this situation, they try to limit themselves to local therapy in the form of injections. If this does not help, then antibiotics are prescribed, which are the least dangerous for the unborn baby.
Manifestations after sex
The most common cause of cystitis after intercourse is an anatomical feature of the location of the urethra in the female body. If it opens in the night of the vagina, then the infection is greatly facilitated. Among the causes of cystitis after sex, cicatricial changes in tissue after the loss of virginity in a girl are also distinguished.
The formation of such an adhesive has a mechanical effect on the urethra and prevents its closure. Hormonal changes also contribute to the fact that women experience cystitis after sex, because the protective properties of all the body's mucous membranes are weakened. Sexual abstinence is a risk factor for cystitis after sex, and the longer you go without sex, the more likely cystitis will appear the next time you approach.
Diagnostics
A clear clinical picture in acute cystitis is a sufficient indicator to make a diagnosis, one for the chronic or obliterated form of the disease, several studies are prescribed. To identify the signs of cystitis in women and men, use:
- Clinical blood tests (to detect the inflammatory process);
- Urinalysis (to detect leukocytes or microhematuria);
- Urine bacterial culture (the causative agent is determined and tests for sensitivity to antibiotics are immediately performed);
- Studies for the detection of genital pathology (serological studies, PCR);
- Specific study of urine;
- Cystoscopy (done as a last resort with a running process).
When the diagnosis is confirmed, immediate treatment of cystitis should be started.
Treatment
The basis of the treatment of this inflammatory disease is antibacterial drugs (if the pathology is caused by an infectious agent). Preparations for cystitis in women and men must be very sensitive to pathogens, so special tests are carried out in advance. Yes, the result is using antibacterial tablets for cystitis in women and men with a wide spectrum of action. In addition to drugs for the treatment of cystitis in women, kolargol instillation is very effective.
Such therapy is acceptable for pregnant girls where antibiotics cannot be used, and as additional treatment in advanced cases. Herbal preparations are widely used for cystitis in women and men, or in other ways herbal medicine. It is used together with antibiotics or if the cystitis is mild and does not require intensive treatment.
Symptomatic drugs for cystitis in men and women are antispasmodics that relieve pain. Or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which relieve pain and also reduce inflammation in the bladder.
To avoid the side effects of antibiotics for cystitis in men and especially in women, probiotics are prescribed. In women, the correct microflora of the vagina is important, so taking these drugs is necessary.
If the inflammatory process is caused by any major pathology, then the basics of how to cure cystitis will get rid of this disease. The most important is the treatment of prostate lesions in men and sexually transmitted infections in both sexes. For additional treatment of chronic cystitis in women and men, physiotherapy procedures are used. They are prescribed after they get rid of the severity of the process or during the period of remission.