Cystitis is a bladder infection also known as ‘urinary tract infection’, ‘UTI’ or ‘water infection’.

It’s caused by a number of factors including poor hygiene and frequent sex and may be more likely to occur in pregnant women. Men can also get cystitis, particularly if they already have prostate problems or wear a catheter.

Symptoms of cystitis include a burning sensation when you pee, a feeling of needing to wee very frequently, passing little urine each time you pee, cloudy pee that smells stronger than usual and feeling generally unwell.

If your girlfriend hasn’t already done so she should speak to her GP about the problem. Cystitis is a common complaint amongst women - around 20 to 40% of women will experience it - and one that often keeps coming back if not treated.

Her GP can offer advice and treatment. If she has already been to her doctor encourage her to keep going back whilst the problem continues since often women tend to suffer in silence with cystitis.

There are some other things she and you can try to prevent cystitis and relieve symptoms...

Take care during sex

Lots of sex can lead to cystitis. In fact it’s also known as ‘the honeymoon disease’ since it frequently goes hand in hand with high levels of sexual activity. If she feels like she's about to get cystitis or has symptoms avoid sex until she is feeling better.

If cystitis keeps coming back you may find limiting the amount of penetrative sex you have could help. Focus instead on more external clitoral stimulation, mutual masturbation and oral sex.

Certain positions that allow for deep or heavy thrusting can also bruise the urethra (where pee comes from) and lead to discomfort for her. Positions with you on top or taking her from behind can aggravate cystitis.

If she is dry during sex a lubricant can help. However if she feels she is about to get cystitis, is experiencing symptoms or is regularly getting cystitis you should consult with a doctor about having sex and using a lubricant. That's because using a lubricant under these circumstances may mask other symptoms.

Pee frequently

Holding on when she wants a pee can lead to an infection taking hold. It’s particularly important that she has a wee before and soon after sex to ensure her bladder is empty. Some women find sitting back on the toilet helps them relax and fully empty their bladder.

Drink water

Dehydration can aggravate the symptoms of cystitis. If she has a problem with bladder infections drinking plenty of water will help flush out bacteria. Her GP can advise on the amount but around four to six glasses per day (or more if she wishes) can help. Avoiding other sugary drinks, tea and coffee can help too.

Pour water

If she is suffering from cystitis keeping a bottle near the loo can ease her pain. If she fills it with warm water before she has a pee and pours this over herself as she wees this can reduce some of the stinging pain that goes with the infection.

Take a bath

Some women find a warm bath when they are suffering from cystitis can help. Encourage her to drink plenty of water while she is in the bath relaxing.

Wipe from front to back

A delicate subject to bring up, but apart from frequent sex the most common trigger for cystitis in women is poor hygiene.

This doesn’t mean she’s dirty, but it may mean when she wipes her bum she does so in a way that passes bacteria towards her urethra (pee hole) that leads to infections developing. To avoid this if she wipes from front to back whenever she pees or poos this will reduce the chances of getting an infection.

Drink cranberry juice

Evaluation of the research in this area suggests that cranberries can help reduce the reoccurrence of cystitis and the severity of symptoms. When compared to other fruit juice or placebo products, trials suggest cranberry products are more effective on tackling cystitis. However, the research completed to date is limited and so it is unclear how long women should take cranberry products for and in what form (such as juice or tablets).

Your girlfriend might want to drink a glass of cranberry juice a day or take cranberry tablets as a preventative measure, but she should also continue to drink plenty of water.

Avoid triggers

Certain things can aggravate cystitis such as coffee, alcohol and fizzy drinks. These are best avoided whilst she is feeling ill and immediately after an attack of cystitis.

Over the counter remedies

You can buy a number of cystitis remedies at your pharmacy or supermarket. These are made into drinks and can ease symptoms within a few hours. If your girlfriend is prone to cystitis keeping a packet in the house or taking one on holiday can be reassuring. Painkillers can also be taken to reduce discomfort.

Avoid perfumed products

Perfumed soaps, shower gels, bubble bath and vaginal washes or sprays can all aggravate cystitis. If she's prone to getting infections it's best to avoid using these.

Watch out for tight clothing

Tights (pantyhose), tight jeans or trousers or tight fitting underwear can also aggravate bladder problems so to prevent attacks it's best to avoid wearing clothes that are tight fitting, particularly if she feels an attack is coming on or she knows she has cystitis.

Rule out other problems

Sometimes reoccurring cystitis is a sign of a bladder problem or possibly an undiagnosed sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia.

This does not mean cystitis is a sexually transmitted infection or that if she has cystitis she has cheated on you. It is worth having further tests with her GP to be sure there’s nothing wrong. Often doctors can recommend a short course of antibiotics for cystitis that can remove the problem and help her feel less stressed.