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Frequent urination
Pain at the beginning of urine
Urination pain with little urine
Cloudy urine
Urine urgency
Not urinating much
Pain when urinating
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Cystitis?
A type of urinary tract infection that involves only bacterial infection of the bladder.
Typical Symptoms of Cystitis
- Unusual urine odor
- Having difficulty urinating or producing less urine
- Stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area
- Often need to urinate again within 2 hours after last going
- Discomfort in the bladder region
- Burning or painful urination with reduced urine volume
- Pain at the start of passing urine
- Bladder pain or discomfort
Diagnostic Questions for Cystitis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you noticed any unusual odor in your urine?
- Have you been experiencing difficulty urinating or producing less urine?
- Do you have stomach or abdominal pain in a specific area?
- Do you often need to urinate again within 2 hours after last going?
- Do you have bladder discomfort in the lower middle abdomen?
Treatment of Cystitis
Oral antibiotics are the first choice of treatment for a bacterial infection. If the infection keeps happening, you may need to see a specialist to determine the underlying cause.
Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Nao Saito, MD (Urology)
After graduating from Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Dr. Saito worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Toda Chuo General Hospital, Tokyo Women's Medical University Yachiyo Medical Center, and Ako Chuo Hospital before becoming Deputy Director (current position) at Takasaki Tower Clinic Department of Ophthalmology and Urology in April 2020.
Content updated on Mar 27, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Urine does not smell normal
- Decreased urine output
- Unusual smelling urine
- Unusual acidic smell in the urine
- Not peeing enough
- Unusual foul smelling pee
- Drinking lots of water but not urinating much
- No urine output in 12 hours
- Urinating less than normal
- Very difficult to urinate
- Reduction in urine volume
- Unable to empty bladder completely
See full list
Symptoms Related to Cystitis
Diseases Related to Cystitis
FAQs
Q.
Burning to Pee? Why Your Bladder is Inflamed & Cystitis Medical Steps
A.
Burning when you pee is often cystitis, usually a bacterial UTI that is diagnosed with a urine test and treated with antibiotics, though nonbacterial causes like interstitial cystitis or chemical irritation can also inflame the bladder. There are several factors to consider; see below for key symptoms, what to do at home, prevention tips, and the medical steps to take, including when to seek urgent care for fever, back or flank pain, blood in urine, pregnancy, diabetes, being male, or recurrent episodes, which could change your next steps.
References:
* Wagenlehner FME, Wullt B, Ballarini S, Brauner A, Cleland B, Hultgren SJ, Kahlmeter G, Naber KG, Svanborg C, Gatermann S, ECARM Study Group. Recurrent cystitis: an update on the treatment of an annoying disease. Eur Urol Focus. 2018 Sep;4(5):713-714. doi: 10.1016/j.euf.2018.01.002. Epub 2018 Jan 10. PMID: 29329712.
* Lokeshwar SD, Stavis C, Stavis PE, Khan N, Knoedler J. Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: Current Treatments and Future Directions. Curr Urol Rep. 2020 Feb 10;21(3):10. doi: 10.1007/s11934-020-0967-0. PMID: 32042250.
* Ooi ML, O'Sullivan M. Management of Uncomplicated Cystitis. Aust J Gen Pract. 2018 Apr;47(4):185-188. doi: 10.31128/ajgp-03-18-4536. Epub 2018 Apr 19. PMID: 29676778.
* Price R, Smith K, Kaler S, De Boer C, Nandi D, Price TK, Wiles TJ. The role of the bladder microbiome in UTI recurrence and cystitis. Nat Rev Urol. 2022 Dec;19(12):737-751. doi: 10.1038/s41585-022-00645-8. Epub 2022 Nov 23. PMID: 36423995.
* Hanno PM. Painful Bladder Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis: A Review. Urol Clin. 2019 Aug;46(3):283-294. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2019.04.004. Epub 2019 May 22. PMID: 31168134.
Q.
Cranberry Juice for UTIs? Why the Burning Persists & Medical Next Steps
A.
Cranberry products can modestly help prevent recurrent UTIs, but they do not treat an active infection, so burning often continues until a urine test confirms the cause and the right antibiotics are started. There are several factors to consider, including other causes of burning, irritation from sweetened or acidic juices, and red flags like fever or back pain that need urgent care; see below for the complete steps on when to test, treat, and prevent.
References:
* Jepson, R. G., Williams, G., & Craig, J. C. (2023). Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 10(10), CD001321.
* Luo, C. R., & Shieh, J. M. (2020). Efficacy of Cranberries for Preventing and Treating Urinary Tract Infections: A Systematic Review. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2020, 2073691.
* Hooton, T. M., & Gupta, K. (2019). Urinary Tract Infections. Annual review of medicine, 70, 251–265.
* Barbosa-Cesnik, C., & Hahn, H. (2019). Cranberry and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. The Urologic clinics of North America, 46(2), 227–234.
* Fu, Z., Liska, D., Toney, G., & Drevets, D. A. (2017). Cranberry extracts and urinary tract infections: a narrative review of scientific evidence. Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 8(5), 678–689.
Q.
Still Burning? Why UTI Treatment Fails & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
If UTI symptoms are not improving 48 to 72 hours after starting antibiotics, common causes include antibiotic resistance, a kidney infection, a misdiagnosis, incomplete treatment, or recurrent UTIs; there are several factors to consider, and key details are explained below. Next steps include contacting your clinician for a urine culture and possibly a different antibiotic, confirming the diagnosis and watching for red flags like fever or flank pain that need urgent care, and avoiding bladder irritants since home remedies cannot replace antibiotics; for a step by step plan and prevention options that could change what you do next, see below.
References:
* Wiles K, et al. Recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a review of the current paradigm and future directions. Urol Ann. 2018 Jan-Mar;10(1):1-11. doi: 10.4103/UA.UA_103_17. PMID: 29403120.
* O'Brien VP, et al. Current and future treatment strategies for recurrent urinary tract infections. Curr Opin Urol. 2020 Oct;30(6):790-795. doi: 10.1097/MOU.0000000000000827. PMID: 32740209.
* Nielubowicz GR, et al. Management of recurrent urinary tract infections. Rev Urol. 2021;23(4):e1-e12. PMID: 35087342.
* Salvatore S, et al. Asymptomatic bacteriuria and recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women: a clinical conundrum. Climacteric. 2020 Dec;23(6):531-537. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2020.1818274. PMID: 32909405.
* Pickard R, et al. Non-antibiotic treatments for recurrent urinary tract infections: a systematic review. BJU Int. 2020 Jun;125(6):830-845. doi: 10.1111/bju.14920. Epub 2019 Nov 12. PMID: 31544253.
Q.
"Razor-Blade" Burn? Why Your Bladder is Screaming: UTI Symptoms & Medical Next Steps
A.
Burning “razor-blade” urination, frequent urges, cloudy or bloody urine, and pelvic pressure strongly suggest a UTI; if you develop fever, nausea, or back or side pain, or if symptoms last beyond 24 to 48 hours, seek prompt care because this can indicate a kidney infection. Next steps usually include a urine test and short-course antibiotics, plus hydration and avoiding bladder irritants while you wait; other conditions like STIs, vaginal infections, stones, or prostate issues can mimic a UTI and risks differ if you are pregnant, older, male, or immunocompromised. There are several factors to consider, so see below for complete guidance that could change which medical steps you take.
References:
* Hooton TM, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the management of acute uncomplicated cystitis in women: 2023 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology. Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Oct 12;77(7):e1-e28. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad425. PMID: 37597379.
* Medina M, Castillo-Pino E. Dysuria in adult women: a review of current approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2019 Apr-Jun;36(2):302-309. doi: 10.17843/rpmesp.2019.362.4330. PMID: 31433830.
* Juthani-Mehta M. Urinary Tract Infections: Epidemiology, Mechanisms of Infection and Treatment Options. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2017 Mar;13(3):180-188. doi: 10.1038/nrneph.2016.166. PMID: 28008149; PMCID: PMC6123498.
* Tan CW, Chlebicki MP. Diagnosis and Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. Singapore Med J. 2016 Oct;57(10):590-595. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2016153. PMID: 27779933; PMCID: PMC5092651.
* Fihn SD. Urinary Tract Infections in Women: Current Management and Future Directions. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;30(3):589-605. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2016.04.004. PMID: 27515250.
Q.
Bladder on Fire? Why It Stings & Medically Proven Nitrofurantoin Next Steps
A.
Bladder burning, frequent urges, and lower belly pressure point to cystitis, and medically proven nitrofurantoin is a first-line antibiotic that concentrates in the urine and typically improves symptoms within 24 to 48 hours. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Typical adult dosing is 100 mg twice daily for 5 days, but talk to a clinician before starting it, avoid use with poor kidney function or late pregnancy, and seek urgent care for fever, back or side pain, vomiting, pregnancy, immune suppression, or symptoms not improving after 48 hours, with more on who should not take it and prevention tips below.
References:
* Hooton TM, Vecchio M, Krahn P, et al. The Efficacy and Safety of Nitrofurantoin in the Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Drugs. 2021;81(1):153-167. doi:10.1007/s40265-020-01440-7
* Thanigaivelan R, Ponnusamy M, Sundaramurthy N, et al. A Comprehensive Review on Nitrofurantoin: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives. J Clin Pharmacol. 2023;63(9):982-993. doi:10.1002/jcph.2241
* Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ. Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432
* Pouwels KB, Roede BM, Suder P, et al. Trends in antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2024;78(2):418-429. doi:10.1093/cid/ciad528
* Goel P, Singh J, Kaur A. Acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection (AU-UTI): a narrative review of global management guidelines. Postgrad Med J. 2023;99(1171):354-361. doi:10.1136/pmj-2022-142144
Q.
Stinging Like Fire? Why Your Bladder is Burning & Medically Approved UTI Steps
A.
Burning or stinging when you pee is most often a common, treatable UTI, but other causes like vaginal infections, STIs, stones, or irritation can mimic it; prompt evaluation, urine testing, and antibiotics when confirmed are key, and red flags like fever, back or side pain, or vomiting need urgent care. There are several factors and next steps to consider, including hydration, safe pain relief, prevention, and special situations like pregnancy, older adults, men, and recurrent infections; see the complete medically approved steps and warning signs below.
References:
* Hooton TM, Gupta K, Bakaletz LO, et al. Acute Uncomplicated Cystitis in Women: A 2023 Update From the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Am Fam Physician. 2023 Mar;107(3):284-292. PMID: 36928815.
* Kwok R. Dysuria: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis in Adults. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jun 1;99(11):689-696. PMID: 31150186.
* Salvatore S, Salvatore M, Di Carlo C, et al. Recurrent urinary tract infections: a narrative review of clinical management options. Minerva Urol Nephrol. 2021 Apr;73(2):167-176. doi: 10.23736/S0393-2249.20.03845-8. Epub 2020 Jul 17. PMID: 32677134.
* Kadri SM, Pallerla S, Patel S, et al. Antimicrobial Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections: A Global Overview. Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Jul 26;12(8):1244. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12081244. PMID: 37624107; PMCID: PMC10452395.
* Kranz J, Schmidt S, Leinert L, et al. The management of uncomplicated recurrent urinary tract infections in women-a narrative review. Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Jun 3;12(6):994. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12060994. PMID: 37370603; PMCID: PMC10300998.
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Colgan R, Williams M. Diagnosis and treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis. Am Fam Physician. 2011 Oct 1;84(7):771-6. PMID: 22010614.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2011/1001/p771.htmlAmano M, Shimizu T. Emphysematous cystitis: a review of the literature. Intern Med. 2014;53(2):79-82. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.53.1121. Epub 2012 Mar 1. PMID: 24429444.
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine/53/2/53_53.1121/_articleNelson BA, Schouten WM. Emphysematous Cystitis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2021 Jun;96(6):1393. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.03.007. PMID: 34088410.
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(21)00186-5/fulltext