This article examines the so-called honeymoon cystitis, also known as honeymoon cystitis, in more detail. In particular, it discusses the causes, diagnosis and course, types of treatment, and ways to prevent it.
What is honeymoon cystitis?
The term honeymoon cystitis is a very euphemistic way of saying inflammation of the bladder. Honeymoon cystitis is called this 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 through the urethra and irritate the mucous membrane. Urinary tract infection is favored in particular by the anatomy of the female body, medical interventions, disorders of urine outflow from the urinary bladder and age.
Causes
Honeymoon cystitis occurs predominantly in sexually active women. This is no coincidence: at about 4 cm, the female urethra is significantly shorter than the male urethra (about 20 cm), and in addition, the vagina, anal area, and external urethral opening are very close together in women. Sexual and anal hygiene is not insignificant in this context. During sexual intercourse, bacteria can easily enter the urethra from the vagina. Once in the bladder, the bacteria cause mucosal irritation on the inner wall of the bladder, resulting in a strong urge to urinate even with small amounts of urine. The sensitivity of the sphincter muscles to irritation increases sensitively.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
In honeymoon cystitis, symptoms are similar to those of any other bladder infection. The typical thing about so-called honeymoon cystitis, however, is that the symptoms begin after intense sexual contact. Women are particularly frequently affected by honeymoon cystitis and, in rarer cases, men as well. The disease usually runs its course without complications and usually heals completely on its own or a short time after treatment with antibiotics. However, in immunocompromised patients, complications can sometimes occur. The main symptoms of honeymoon cystitis are burning during urination and frequent urination. Initially, the symptoms are often mild, so the condition is downplayed. However, the frequent urge to urinate does not result in an increased amount of urine. Only small amounts of urine are passed each time the patient goes to the toilet. In addition to the burning sensation, itching often occurs in the urethra. There may be changes in the urine. Thus, turbidity of the urine is often observed. In some cases, the urine even turns reddish due to admixed blood. Some patients also suffer from pain in the abdomen. At times, the pain may radiate to the back. This may be a sign that inflammation of the kidneys has already occurred. Honeymoon cystitis is usually very treatable with frequent bladder irrigation (emptying the bladder frequently by drinking plenty of fluids) and the use of antibiotics.
Diagnosis and course
Honeymoon cystitis is very uncomfortable and is manifested by an increased urge to urinate, burning and pain during urination. Typically, the amount of urine passed is small. Sometimes the urine is mixed with blood or pus, and fever and abdominal cramps may also occur. It is important for the diagnosis to take a urine sample. Here, the so-called “midstream” is collected and examined. The genitals should be thoroughly cleaned before urine is collected. 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 already sufficient to enable effective therapy. If a more severe urinary tract infection has occurred, microscopic urinalysis or other more extensive tests, such as ultrasound examination of the urinary bladder and kidneys, may be necessary.
Complications
In most cases, honeymoon cystitis represents only a harmless symptom that can be treated quickly and effectively, so that no further complications or discomfort occur. Especially in women who have not been sexually active for a long time, honeymoon cystitis can occur.This results in an increased urge to urinate and thus frequent urination. Urination itself is associated with pain. In some cases, the urine is darkened by blood and the patient develops a fever. The patient feels unwell 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 may result in renal pelvic inflammation. Honeymoon cystitis can be treated relatively quickly with heat applications. Sexual activity should be avoided during this process. Citrus fruits and alcoholic beverages should also be avoided, as these can aggravate honeymoon cystitis. If there is no improvement with self-help, antibiotics can be prescribed by the doctor. These lead to a positive course of the disease after about a week, without further complications.
When should you go to the doctor?
That newly married women get honeymoon cystitis happens quite often. “Honeymoon cystitis” is caused by immigrant germs that enter the bladder during sexual intercourse. Basically, it is a common bladder infection. The process of its development is described by this term. The spread of bacteria and germs into the bladder should always be taken seriously. However, it requires a visit to the doctor only in severe cases. Honeymoon cystitis can also occur in sexually active women beyond the honeymoon period. In this case, the cause is usually a prolonged break in sexual activity. Immigrated intestinal bacteria or bacteria brought by the man are found to be the cause. To protect the bladder from this, it should be emptied quickly after sexual intercourse. A diaphragm can also trigger such bladder infections. It should then be removed. If certain spermicides are the cause of the cystitis, they should be discontinued. They are usually found on conventional condoms. Mild honeymoon cystitis can be treated symptomatically by the affected person with bladder tea, warmth and rest. To avoid further irritation of the bladder, sexual activity should be limited until it subsides. However, if more severe symptoms such as fever are noticed in addition to the typical urge to urinate, burning during urination and abdominal pain, a visit to the doctor is inevitable.
Treatment and therapy
Uncomplicated honeymoon cystitis can be treated with antibiotics and is usually very curable. After taking antibiotics, symptoms usually subside within three days. In addition, there are simple self-help measures that support healing. Anyone suffering from cystitis should drink plenty of fluids. This stimulates the urge to urinate and flushes the bacteria out of the bladder; in addition, rising bacteria cannot enter the bladder as easily. Warm cotton underwear and a hot water bottle provide a pleasant warmth. Those who do not want to resort to antibiotics will first try to relieve the discomfort by flushing tea, heat and herbal remedies. Juniper berries are considered to have a strong diuretic effect. However, it should be noted that they are not tolerated by everyone. In addition, if the symptoms do not decrease, a doctor should definitely be consulted, who can prescribe a suitable antibiotic.
Outlook and prognosis
Honeymoon cystitis is no different in prognosis from any other form of acute cystitis. Mild courses last for a few days, during which they may well be painful and uncomfortable. The affected patient must urinate frequently and may suffer from a slightly elevated temperature. Rarely, the urine contains small amounts of blood during this time. The discomfort subsides on its own after a few days. In severe cases, the pain is more severe and the temperature may be significantly elevated. In this form of cystitis, the patient usually goes to the doctor on her own and is prescribed antibiotics. These also show their effect within days. In the case of honeymoon cystitis, sexual activity during the acute phase can cause the inflammation to last longer or return after the symptoms have improved, since it had not yet completely healed. Therefore, it is recommended to refrain from sexual intercourse during this period for quick healing.Regardless of the cause of honeymoon cystitis, sexual intercourse would also only further mechanically irritate the irritated bladder and cause the inflammation to worsen. If the pain during honeymoon cystitis is unbearable, a doctor should be consulted.
Prevention
To prevent honeymoon cystitis, careful intimate hygiene with clean water, proper “wiping” after bowel movements, 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 bladder infections, while condoms prevent them. Women who get bladder infections easily should get into the habit of urinating immediately after sex – this reduces the risk of infection. People susceptible to bladder infections should avoid sitting on cold stones and take care to keep the bladder area warm (for example, by wearing cotton underwear). In fact, cold can apparently promote inflammation, even if it is not directly caused by the cold. Uncomplicated honeymoon cystitis can be cured quickly. Those who struggle with cystitis more frequently three times a year should seek a detailed discussion with their doctor to clarify the causes.
Follow-up care
In most cases, the measures or options of aftercare for honeymoon cystitis are severely limited. First and foremost, this disease must be detected and treated early to prevent further complications. In most cases, the life expectancy of the affected person is not reduced by the disease, although early detection always has a positive effect on the further course. The treatment of honeymoon cystitis is carried out with the help of antibiotics. It is necessary to pay attention to correct and, above all, regular intake. The doctor’s instructions should also be followed. In most cases, antibiotics must continue to be taken even after the symptoms have subsided. When taking antibiotics, alcohol should be strictly avoided, otherwise their effect will be reduced. In the case of honeymoon cystitis, self-help measures are also available to those affected in many cases, so a hot water bottle can also be used to relieve the discomfort. To prevent honeymoon cystitis, a suitable contraceptive should be chosen, and a doctor can advise. Sufferers should also avoid unnecessary exposure to cold, which can promote honeymoon cystitis.
What you can do yourself
Honeymoon cystitis usually heals in a few days without the administration of medication. Affected women can take some measures themselves to relieve the discomfort. It is important to increase fluid intake to stimulate the urge to urinate. Still mineral water and herbal tea are particularly suitable. Tea made from nettles or juniper berries is considered to have a strong diuretic effect. Attention should be paid to possible intolerances. This helps to flush out bacteria from the bladder and urethra. Local heat applications with the help of a hot-water bottle or cherry pit cushion are found to be very pleasant by those affected. Herbal preparations with extracts of centaury, lovage and rosemary relieve the pain and burning sensation. In addition, these substances promote the expulsion of bacteria. Sufferers should use cotton underwear. This can be washed at high temperatures and absorbs moisture. This prevents an excessively moist environment in the intimate area, so that the bacteria do not spread further. In the case of an additional fever, special attention should be paid to physical protection. If the urine is bloody or pus is discharged, a doctor should be consulted. The same applies to recurring complaints. In order to prevent a renewed honeymoon cystitis, good intimate hygiene should be observed. It is also recommended for women to urinate directly after sexual intercourse. Condoms can also prevent a new infection.