What is honeymoon cystitis?
Honeymoon cystitis is a condition seen in newly married women. It is a condition that develops due to irritation in the woman's genital area during her first sexual intercourse. Anatomically, the front wall of the vagina contains the bladder and the urethra. After the first sexual intercourse, some women may experience an increased risk of infection due to irritation in the area caused by insufficient vaginal lubrication and penetration of the penis. Honeymoon cystitis presents clinically with pain in the lower abdomen, a feeling of fullness, burning during urination, and a feeling of incomplete emptying after urination. In this condition, drinking plenty of water and medication under a doctor's supervision are recommended. Honeymoon cystitis is an uncomfortable condition that almost every woman experiences at least once in her lifetime, presenting with symptoms such as burning during urination, frequent urination, and inability to urinate. In rare cases, some women may experience cystitis symptoms such as frequent and painful urination immediately after sexual intercourse. The symptoms usually last for one or two days and disappear until the next sexual intercourse. Due to the anatomical proximity of the urinary tract and the vagina in women, urinary tract infections are more common than in men. It occurs when pathogenic microorganisms infect the urinary tract during the first sexual intercourse after marriage and in the following honeymoon days. In women who have their first sexual experience during their honeymoon, prolonged intercourse or insufficient lubrication can cause irritation in the urethra, the external part of the urinary tract located near the vagina. This irritation allows bacteria to easily enter the urinary tract and cause infection. It is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria.
Symptoms of Honeymoon Cystitis
Symptoms of honeymoon cystitis include:
• Burning and pain during urination
• Frequent and sudden urge to urinate
• Cloudy and foul-smelling urine
• Pain in the lower abdomen and groin
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should consider the possibility of cystitis. These symptoms can be diagnosed with a simple urine test. The presence of leukocytes and sometimes bacteria in the test results confirms the diagnosis. Appropriate antibiotics should be used based on the results. Drinking plenty of water is also helpful in treatment.
What causes cystitis?
Cystitis is an infection that usually occurs as a result of bacteria entering the urinary tract. Bacteria reach the urinary tract and multiply there, causing an infection. These bacteria are usually carried from the external genital area to the urinary tract, where they begin to multiply. The bacteria that cause cystitis are usually found in the intestines. They often reach the genital area or urinary tract through contact with feces. In women, the anatomy of the urinary tract makes it easier for these bacteria to reach the urinary tract. Sexual activity, especially in women, increases the risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract. Therefore, the risk of cystitis may increase after sexual intercourse. For this reason, we recommend going to the bathroom and drinking water after intercourse. Unhygienic toilet habits, cleaning from back to front, and not washing the genital area thoroughly with water can make it easier for bacteria to reach the urinary tract.
How is cystitis treated? Treatment methods
Antibiotics and symptomatic treatments are generally used to treat cystitis. In cases of acute cystitis in particular, we can easily treat the condition using the following treatment methods:
1. Antibiotics
Cystitis is mostly considered a bacterial infection, so antibiotics are used in its treatment. Your doctor will prescribe an appropriate antibiotic for you based on the results of your urine test and, if necessary, bacterial culture results. You should take antibiotics regularly as directed by your doctor and complete the full course of treatment, even if your symptoms subside, to prevent bacteria from developing resistance to the antibiotic.
2. Painkillers
You can use painkillers to relieve pain when urinating or in the pelvic area. However, painkillers only relieve symptoms; they do not cure the infection.
3. Drink plenty of fluids
It is important to drink plenty of water to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract. Water consumption also helps prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.
4. Follow good hygiene practices
Wiping from front to back after using the toilet to clean the genital area can help reduce the risk of cystitis.5. Maintain sexual hygiene
Urinating and cleaning the genital area after sexual intercourse may be necessary to reduce the risk of cystitis.
Is cystitis contagious?
Cystitis is usually a contagious disease. Whether cystitis is contagious or not depends on the cause of the infection and the type of cystitis. For example, the most common type is bacterial, or acute, cystitis. This type of cystitis is not directly contagious from person to person. However, an infected person can transmit bacteria around the anal area to another person through sexual contact or unhygienic toilet habits. Women are particularly susceptible to infection due to the anatomy of the urinary tract.
Honeymoon Cystitis
Honeymoon cystitis, or "honeymoon urinary tract infection," is common among newly married couples. Honeymoon cystitis is usually a bacterial infection. Honeymoon cystitis occurs due to several factors that increase susceptibility to urinary tract infections after sexual activity. During the honeymoon period, couples are often on vacation. During this time, they frequently engage in sexual activity and participate in pool or beach activities. These activities increase the risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract. Additionally, insufficient fluid intake and poor bladder hygiene can contribute to honeymoon cystitis.
How to treat honeymoon cystitis?
Honeymoon cystitis can usually be treated by drinking plenty of fluids, following hygiene rules, and practicing safe sex. Urination after sexual intercourse is an important measure to prevent the risk of cystitis. This can reduce the risk of bacterial transmission. If left untreated, honeymoon cystitis can lead to serious complications. Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. By following your doctor's recommended treatment methods, you can ensure that the infection heals quickly.
How Can Couples Prevent Honeymoon Cystitis?
• You should urinate before and after intercourse.
• Personal hygiene should be performed from front to back after using the toilet. This prevents bacteria from the vaginal and rectal areas from entering the urinary tract.
• Water-based lubricating gels can be used during sexual intercourse to ensure sufficient lubrication and reduce damage to the urethra.
• Do not try to hold your urine for long periods of time (do not delay) and do not be overly picky when choosing a toilet. The risk of contracting a urinary tract infection from the toilet is much lower than you might think. Infections are typically caused by bacteria that are normally present in the body.
• Drink plenty of fluids (10-15 glasses per day).
• Avoid wearing nylon or tight underwear that keeps the genital area moist for long periods of time. Cotton underwear is recommended. Underwear should be changed daily.
• If vaginal douches, bath oils, and sprays cause infection, discontinuing their use may alleviate symptoms.
In some women, cystitis may recur despite all these precautions. In this case, it is very important to consult your gynecologist for further investigation and to follow their treatment recommendations in order to recover.