Cystitis is a disease that affects the urinary system of the female or male body. This pathology literally stands for an inflammatory process in the bladder, namely in its wall. Many people wonder if men have cystitis because this disease is more common in women. However, men are also susceptible to this disease.
The difference between cystitis in men and women is not only in the frequency of occurrence of the lesion, but also in the reason for its occurrence. If in women the disease often develops initially, in men the inflammatory process takes place as a complication of some other disease.
The causative agents of cystitis in men and women can be different. Usually, the inflammation is caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli, but instead of this bacteria, Staphylococcus, Proteus, and various protozoa, such as Trichomonas, can colonize the bladder wall. A separate class is made up of pathogens of sexually transmitted infections, the complication of which can be cystitis.
Etiology
The causes of symptoms of cystitis in women are:
- Any untreated (or undetected) disease of the genitourinary system usually of an inflammatory nature (both specific, for example, venereal and nonspecific);
- Chronic pathology of any body system (especially in the acute phase);
- Hypothermia (meaning not too localized in the genital area and pelvic organs, for example, sitting on cold concrete);
- Jobs that require prolonged sitting (office positions and others);
- Chronic stool disorders (constipation);
- Improper personal hygiene of the genitals;
- Sex life testing (i. e. changing anal contact to vaginal contact without changing condoms or prior contact procedures);
- Synthetic and tight underwear, as well as jeans, tights, trousers;
- Insufficient number of bowel movements per day (at least 5 times normal);
- Non-compliance with personal hygiene during menstruation is one of the common causes of cystitis in women;
- Immunodeficiency states of any origin (both primary immunodeficiency and immunosuppression due to stress or overexertion).
Unlike women, men's bodies follow the rules of intimate hygiene is often a sufficient measure to prevent infection. And even in this case, cystitis can occur as a complication of end-stage urethritis. However, there are several factors that cause the pathology.
Causes of cystitis symptoms in men:
- Inflammatory processes (acute and chronic) in the prostate gland, urethra, testicles and its appendages;
- An anatomical abnormality of the urethra (eg, narrowing) causing urinary retention;
- Urinary stones or foreign bodies entering the urinary system;
- The presence of venereal inflammatory pathology (gonorrhea is especially complicated than cystitis);
- Pyelonephritis or tuberculosis (damage from the downlink of the infection);
- Inflammatory processes in the body of a man (rarely);
- Damage to organs of the urinary system or directly to the bladder;
- Incorrectly performing diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations on organs of the genitourinary system;
- Diabetes is a risk factor.
Symptom
Despite the etiological differences in the development of the inflammatory process, the clinical picture of the disease in both sexes does not differ. Signs of cystitis in men and women:
- Frequent (and often false) urination;
- Pain during urination (burning pain or in the form of cramps, intense, short, characterized by an increase in amplitude towards the end of urination);
- Frequent pain (in women in the lower abdomen, and in men in the penis or pubic);
- Decreased urine output when urinating once;
- A subthreshold temperature and general signs of the inflammatory process (asthenia, fatigue, pallor, dizziness) are characteristic of bacterial cystitis.
Since this pathology is characterized by a chronic form of cystitis, it should be clarified that the clinical picture in such cases will be blurred. All of the above symptoms will be manifested only during the acute phase. When in remission, the patient may experience pain in the abdomen or groin, or frequent urination.
Classify
In addition to acute and chronic forms of the disease, there are different forms of cystitis.
- Bacterial cystitis (or infection). This form may or may not be specific. Diseases caused by infectious agents, mainly bacteria. Specific pathological selections are sexually transmitted diseases 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 of a mechanical or chemical nature. In this case, all layers of the bladder are affected in the appearance of perforated ulcers. Factors that can cause disease are trauma, chemicals, and physical influences.
- radiation cystitis. This form of cystitis stands out as a distinct form due to the specifics of the appearance. At its core, this type of radiation is considered interstitial, but it does not occur due to accidental exposure to a factor, but rather in the treatment of cancers. To a greater extent, this applies to the appearance of symptoms of acute or chronic cystitis in men, as their pelvic organs are frequently exposed to radiation from prostate cancer. paralysis.
- Hemorrhagic cystitis. In fact, this form is a complication of common cystitis and is characterized by blood in the urine coming out of the bladder. Impurities can be microscopic, i. e. invisible to the eye, and numerous (hematuria).
Illnesses during pregnancy
Cystitis in pregnant women in the early and late stages is a dangerous disease that requires high-quality treatment. Women are more susceptible to cystitis than men due to anatomical features, however, pregnant women are at risk for a number of other reasons:
- Reduces the body's resistance to infectious agents;
- The bladder is undernourished due to the increased pressure of the uterus on the blood vessels that feed it;
- Hormonal changes.
It is the blockage 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 is not always the case but does occur. Therefore, the periodic physical examination for women should be thorough and aimed at identifying potential diseases. Treatment of cystitis during pregnancy is necessary but difficult, because taking strong antibiotics can adversely affect the fetus.
So in this situation, they try to limit themselves to topical therapy in the form of drops. If this does not help, then antibiotics are prescribed, which are the least dangerous for the fetus.
Manifestations after sex
The most common cause of cystitis after sex is the anatomical feature of the urethra's position in the female body. If it opens on the eve of the vagina, then the infection will be greatly simplified. Among the causes of cystitis after sex, skin changes in tissues after the deprivation of virginity in a girl are also distinguished.
Such adhesions have a mechanical effect on the urethra and prevent its closure. Hormonal changes also contribute to cystitis after sex in women, as the protective properties of all the mucous membranes of the body are weakened. Abstinence from sex is a risk that leads to cystitis after intercourse, the more you don't have sex, the more likely that cystitis will appear in the next time you have sex.
Diagnose
A vivid clinical picture in acute cystitis is a sufficient indicator for the diagnosis, one for chronic or cleared forms of the disease, some studies are prescribed. To recognize the signs of cystitis in women and men, use:
- Clinical blood test (to detect the inflammatory process);
- Urinalysis (to detect leukocytes or microuria);
- Bacterial culture in the urine (identify the causative agent and do an antibiotic sensitivity test immediately);
- Research on detection of venereal diseases (serological studies, PCR);
- Urine-specific studies;
- Cystoscopy (done as a last resort with running procedures).
Once the diagnosis is established, treatment for cystitis should be initiated immediately.
The 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 have a high sensitivity to pathogens, therefore, a special test is preliminary conducted. Yes, its results apply antibacterial tablets for cystitis in women and men with many effects. In addition to drugs to treat cystitis in women, nasopharyngeal drops are highly effective.
Such therapy is acceptable for pregnant girls who cannot take antibiotics and as an additional treatment in severe cases. Herbal preparations are widely used for cystitis in women and men, in other words as herbal remedies. They are used along with antibiotics or if cystitis is mild and does not require aggressive treatment.
Drugs for symptomatic treatment of cystitis in men and women are antispasmodics and analgesics. Or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which relieve pain and also reduce inflammation in the bladder.
To prevent 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 essential.
If the inflammatory process is caused by any of the main pathologies, then the basis of the cure for cystitis is that you will get rid of the disease. Of particular importance is the treatment of prostate lesions in men and sexually transmitted infections in both sexes. For the additional treatment of chronic cystitis in women and men, physiotherapeutic procedures are used. They are prescribed after the severity of the process or during remission.