Honeymoon cystitis • Cystitis from sex

Many women know this: a bladder infection after sex. Why honeymoon cystitis strikes, what helps best and how you can protect yourself – so that sex is possible without remorse.

Sex at first, then cystitis a day later. Many women are familiar with this problem. Cystitis as a result of sex even got its own name missed: It is composed of honeymoon (English for honeymoon) – because couples usually have sex particularly often during this time – and cystitis, the technical term for cystitis. The inflammation not only occurs during the honeymoon, but also when a couple has had particularly persistent and frequent intercourse.

Cystitis: what relieves the symptoms

Germs from the intestine trigger cystitis

But why can sexual intercourse in women lead to cystitis? Triggers are usually bacteria. Often it is a question of completely natural germs, which are mainly at home in the intestinal area Escherichia coli. They come from women or men, and also occur in the genital tract, in large numbers, for example, if hygiene is inadequate.

New partner means foreign genital flora with other bacteria

However, the cause can also be bacteria in men, which are new and unfamiliar to the genital flora of women. Background: Every person has an individual flora in the genital area, to which various germs belong. A new partner therefore always means a certain risk of honeymoon cystitis.

  • more

    Every second woman has it at least once in her life: a bladder infection. Symptoms, intensity and duration can vary

This is why girls in particular are at risk when they have sex for the first time. But women who change partners frequently, as well as older women who have a new man after a long relationship or cheat, can catch a bladder infection. However, the genital flora gets used to the new conditions over time and there is hardly any risk of honeymoon cystitis.

The exit of the urethra lies between the clitoris and vagina

The risk of bacteria getting into the bladder is also increased by the special anatomy of the woman: the exit of the urethra lies exactly between the vagina and the clitoris, so it is constantly irritated during sex. Persistent penetrations literally rub bacteria into the urethra. If there are too many and the local defense cannot inhibit them, they have reached the bladder after around 18 hours and can lead to inflammation.

Men almost never affected

In this context, many ask themselves why almost only women are affected by this form of cystitis and men only in exceptional cases. Finally, germs also get into the urethra in the penis during penetration. There is also an anatomical explanation for this. The urethra of the woman is only four centimeters long, that of the man about 20 centimeters. Although the germs climb relatively quickly, they rarely reach the bladder in men: the body's own defenses eliminate the germs on the way there.

Signs of honeymoon cystitis

The bladder infection usually reports one to two days after sexual intercourse due to burning and pain when urinating and frequent urge to urinate. Usually the lower abdomen hurts too. The woman feels sick, weakness and sweating are added. The urine can smell unpleasant and is darker than usual. In severe cases, blood can be added. If there is an additional fever and back pain, the bacteria may have risen from the bladder and have inflamed the kidneys.

Diagnosis of honeymoon cystitis

The woman should go to the doctor at the latest when there is a fever, but better before with clear symptoms. An examination of the urine shows whether there is inflammation and how pronounced it is. A quick test is sufficient. In order to recognize which bacteria are the cause of the bladder infection, a culture has to be created in the laboratory. It takes about two days to get the result of this investigation.

Nine natural aids for a strong bladder

Nine natural aids for a strong bladder

Treatment of honeymoon cystitis

Until then, however, hardly a woman would like to wait because the pain is just too severe. Therefore, if the rapid test detects bacterial cystitis, the doctor usually prescribes an antibiotic. Fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin are primarily recommended for women. They are particularly effective against coli bacteria. But cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin and other active ingredients can also be used.

Sometimes the medication is offered as a single treatment, for three days or as a five-day therapy as needed. In any case, those affected should strictly follow the doctor's instructions when taking it – otherwise there is a risk of inefficiency and worst resistance. This means that the bacteria become immune to the antibiotic used, and honeymoon cystitis returns. Today, 15 percent of the pathogens are already resistant to some standard antibiotics for the treatment of cystitis.

Can I do without antibiotics?

But especially in the honeymoon, the urologist of trust is usually not around the corner. But those who are prone to cystitis can prepare. With the first signs of a bladder infection, herbal active ingredients can provide quick help: Due to their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, diuretic and pain-relieving effects, combination preparations with goldenrod, orthosiphon and hackle are approved for the treatment of bladder infection and, unlike antibiotics, are freely available in pharmacies. The extracts of these medicinal plants available in tablet form are therefore a good recommendation for the honeymoon travel pharmacy.

Prevent honeymoon cystitis

No woman should be afraid of sex because of honeymoon cystitis. On the one hand, the genital flora gets used to the germ profile of the man, which is still foreign at first. In addition, there are a number of measures that prevent honeymoon cystitis:

  • Wash your genital area with warm water before and after sexual intercourse, do not use soap, but washing lotions specially developed for this area.

  • This advice should also apply to men – when washing, carefully push the foreskin back and gently clean it underneath.

  • Use a lubricant: apply the gel in the urethral area before sex. It closes this entry point of the bacteria a bit and the germs can no longer migrate to the bladder so easily.

    • Continue reading

      Treat urinary tract infections naturally and tolerably.

      Herbal help – applicable at the first sign of cystitis.

  • If you have anal sex: Never do vaginal penetration afterwards – this is how the intestinal bacteria with the penis or sex toys reach the anterior intimate area and can enter the urethra. Better: First use vaginal and then anal sex or in between a new condom.

  • After the coitus, go to the toilet as quickly as possible and empty the bladder. The urine flushes out the invading bacteria.

Respond immediately at the first sign of honeymoon cystitis

Increasing urge to urinate despite an empty bladder or a stinging and burning sensation when urinating are the first signs of honeymoon cystitis. Now you should react immediately: If you drink a lot, the bladder will be flushed well and germs like E. coli have little chance of holding out.

Dehydrating bladder teas and, even better, herbal medicines with active ingredients from extracts of the common hackle root, goldenrod and orthosiphon leaves also called cat beard support this process. A particular advantage of these medicinal plants is that they not only stimulate kidney activity, but also disinfect the urine, thus killing the bacteria. Since the medicinal plant extracts are even available in tablet form, it is particularly easy and quick to take.

You can read more about cystitis, its causes and gentle aids in our large patient guide on cystitis.