Can reoccurring cystitis lead to infertility?

[BarbaraS]

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Hi Barbaras

Cystitis as a general rule would not normally be responsible for any infertility problems, as it usually passes quite quickly with drinking extra fluids or perhaps a course of antibiotics too. However, there is a condition called “Interstitial Cystitis” where the blader becomes inflamed, causing symptoms of an urgent need to pass urine frequently, pain when passing urine and so o, very similar to cystitis, but usually has to be suffered for many months before a diagnosis is made.

Interstitial cystitis is a fairly newly recognised condition. For many years it has just been passed off as cystitis (painful, burning passing of urine). Some women improve after a few months after treatment with antibiotics and drinking plenty of water. For others, the symptoms can go on for years which might cause ulcers to form in the bladder.

As far as I know, there is no “real” cause for this distressing condition, other than it often begins with a urine infection known as a UTI (urinary tract infection). Sometimes though, no “bugs” are grown in the urine sample. It can sometimes be a product of pelvic inflammatory disease. I’ve also heard of women with a slightly low immune system having the problem. This could then allow the bladder to become inflamed, but not necessarily infected.

The only treatments I know of, is to treat any infection with antibiotics, the use of anti flammatories, bladder washouts, drinking plenty of fluids and occasionally the use of low dose steroids. With “normal” cystitis, cranberry juice is also supposed to keep it at bay. One lady I know of who has the condition, finds relief when she has a flare-up, by sitting in the bath and weeing in there! Doesn’t sound very ladylike, but she says it does help.

Not much information I’m afraid, but hope it helps a bit.

deal1

[lotus1975]

I was undergoing fertility treatments while in Canada last year, and learned I had two cystitis on my tubes. I had to stop treatments until they decrased in size. If you have cystitis quite a lot I would ask my GP for help.

[Mina]

I'm wondering the same thing. I scanned some articles today and I think if women can fall pregnant while they've got the flu, then surely even with cystitis we should be ok?

I was put on a long course of antibiotics (one before sex) but I've decided to try to battle it naturally. It's meant a huge shift in my diet (excluding tea, fizzy drinks, too much sweet stuff, spicy food) and I'm trying to manage it with acupuncture/chinese tea.

It's a balancing act - it's better than it was but I'm still getting bouts.