Advice for your patients
Small changes to their lifestyle can help patients to reduce the frequency and/or severity of their symptoms.
To help prevent cystitis, advise your patients to:
- Drink at least one to two litres (three or four pints) of water every day.
- Avoid perfumed soaps, shower and bath products, vaginal deodorants etc.
- Wear cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight trousers.
- If cystitis is triggered by sexual intercourse, it can help if both the patient and the partner wash carefully before and after sex.
- Empty bladder, before and after sex, as this helps flush out any bacteria which may have entered the urethra.
- Pass urine when feeling the urge, rather than trying to 'hold on' until later and make sure the bladder is emptied completely.
- Wipe bottom from front to back to help prevent bacteria spreading.
