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UTIs / Cystitis

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UTIs / Cystitis
Home
UTIs / Cystitis

What is Cystitis?

Cystitis is a bacterial Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The lower urinary tract is affected, such as the bladder and urethra.

Most people who suffer a mild episode will recover quickly and may not require treatment. However some will have recurring infections and for a minority, the symptoms do not abate.

Causes of Cystitis

Cystitis is caused by a bacterial infection in the lower urinary tract. Bacteria which can live harmlessly in the digestive tract can be detrimental when introduced to the genitals. This bacteria can be introduced in a variety of ways including habits around urination, defecation, and sexual activity. Incomplete emptying of the bladder during urination can allow the bacteria to remain inside the urinary tract and grow. Some people are more susceptible than others due to differences in genetic make up or anatomical differences.

Common Cystitis Symptoms

  • An insistent feeling you need to pee
  • Pain in the lower abdomin
  • More frequent urination
  • Burning or stinging sensation during, or after peeing

Your symptoms may vary and these symptoms may be caused by a variety of conditions. This page does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Testing for Cystitis

Our test kits include a genital swab, a urine sample kit, or both. Your sample will analysed to detect the pathogens (bad microbes) which could be causing your symptoms. 

Unlike traditional testing protocols, we recognise that microbes present in levels of less than 10,000 CFU per ml can still be significant to your health. We look at the full picture of your sample’s results by evaluating with both agar cultures and a liquid broth extraction culture (EQUC). 

Our expertise in UTIs allows us to pinpoint the microbes within your results which are most likely to be causing your symptoms, and target them accordingly.

Get a home test kit for Cystitis

Cystitis FAQs

Treatment for Cystitis

We are here to find the very best treatment plan for you, so you can start to regain your quality of life and feel in control again. With the identity and concentration of the bacteria confirmed, you will receive a report which you can give directly to your GP or Specialist.

If needed, your GP can then complete a referral form and for a small additional charge and we can recommend suitable treatment plans specific to your case. This will include a recommendation on antibiotic type, strength, and course length.

Our treatment plans are carefully balanced, aimed at being sufficiently long to gain control over your symptoms and hopefully resolve the infection, while avoiding long term use which can encourage bacteria to become resistant to any future treatments if needed. 

Once the symptoms have lifted, lifestyle factors can help prevent relapse, and recommendations can be made about use of naturopathic agents and urinary antiseptics available over the counter and via your GP or Specialist.

Relevant products

Enhanced Quantitative Urine Culture
EQUC

EQUC Urine Test

£108.50

Vaginal Swab

£89.50

Penile Swab

£89.50

Would you like to know more?

If you don’t mind some medical language, and you’re interested in the detail of recent studies into recurrent UTIs, then you can find links to some relevant papers below:

Are you worried you might have a UTI?

Self-test at home for recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and get the treatment you need.

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The UK’s only lab testing for hard-to-diagnose and recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. We provide convenient test-at-home kits, expert advice and effective treatments. 

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