Cystitis

Cystitis is an infection of the bladder or lower urinary tract and is more common in women than men. It is caused by bacteria from the fecal or vaginal flora, which enters the urethra and then the bladder. Cystitis often presents with urinary symptoms (e.g., dysuria).

Quick Answer

What it is

Cystitis is an infection of the bladder or lower urinary tract and is more common in women than men. It is caused by bacteria from the fecal or vaginal flora, which enters the urethra and then the bladder.

Key findings

No graded findings are available yet.

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts

Quick Facts: Cystitis

  • Supplements Studied:0
0 supps · 0 outcomes

Evidence-Based Protocol

Supplement stack ranked by research quality

Moderate Evidence

Primary Stack (Tier 1)

1.5-2g daily for prevention; 2g every 2-3 hours for acute (with antibiotics)

Prevents E. coli from adhering to bladder wall; strong evidence for UTI prevention

10 studies | 800 participants
36mg PAC (proanthocyanidins) daily or 400-500mg cranberry extract

Prevents bacterial adhesion to bladder; long-standing evidence for UTI prevention

25 studies | 3,000 participants

Supporting Stack (Tier 2)

1-10 billion CFU Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 daily

Supports vaginal flora; may prevent UTI by maintaining healthy microbial balance

12 studies | 1,000 participants
500-1000mg daily

Acidifies urine; may help prevent bacterial growth

6 studies | 300 participants
400-800mg standardized extract for short-term use (max 1-2 weeks)

Traditional remedy with antimicrobial properties; short-term use only

5 studies | 200 participants
2000-4000 IU daily

Supports immune function and antimicrobial peptide production in bladder

5 studies | 300 participants

How It Works

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bacterial infection (urinary tract infection or UTI). It's very common, especially in women, with about 50% of women experiencing at least one UTI in their lifetime.

SYMPTOMS of cystitis:

Burning sensation when urinating
Frequent urge to urinate
Passing small amounts of urine
Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
Blood in urine
Pelvic discomfort
Low-grade fever

RISK FACTORS:

Female anatomy (short urethra)
Sexual activity
Menopause
Urinary retention
Catheter use
Diabetes

CRITICAL: Acute cystitis typically requires antibiotic treatment. See a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

WHEN TO SEEK IMMEDIATE CARE:

Fever or chills
Back or side pain (may indicate kidney infection)
Nausea or vomiting
Blood in urine
Symptoms not improving with antibiotics

PREVENTION STRATEGIES:

Drink plenty of fluids
Urinate frequently (don't hold it)
Wipe front to back
Urinate after sexual activity
Avoid irritating products

* D-Mannose has strong evidence for preventing recurrent UTIs - it prevents E. coli from sticking to the bladder wall.

* Cranberry products with adequate PACs (proanthocyanidins) may help prevent recurrence.

* Probiotics (specific Lactobacillus strains) support healthy urogenital flora.

Expected timeline: Acute symptoms typically improve within 1-3 days of starting antibiotics. Prevention supplements should be taken ongoing for those with recurrent infections.

Generated from peer-reviewed researchSchema v2.0