Anyone got any advice dealing with cystitis?

[MrsFogi]

In the past I had a few bouts of cystitis which I got rid of with antibiotics. Since then I have managed to avoid getting it by the usual precautions of showering rather than bathing, going to the loo after sex etc. etc. BUT.....I'm now ttc and so can't go to the loo/wash straight after sex (am having enough trouble getting pg without washing the swimmers away) and guess what? I am getting cystitis every month and as if that's not bad enough I'm getting it around the time I ovulate (no doubt because of the bding at that time). As I don't want to take antibiotics while ttc can anyone suggest any herbal remedies/means to prevent cystitis?

Cranberry juice / tablets are v good for cystitis, although what I found, is that as long as I increased the amount of water I drank during the day I was ok. Used to get cystitis every 4 months, but haven't now for the past 2.5 years!

drink well, water and cranberry juice. loads of it.

ime loads of cranberry juice (hope you like it )

I had it a few weeks ago. I brought some sachets called Oasis something which were cranberry flavour, and you just mix it with water to make a drink. It clears up cystitis in two days (although it didnt for me as it turned out i had an infection ). drink plenty of water, and you should try to go to the loo after having sex, although i cant always do that one. sometimes just too tired and want to sleep but as you're trying ttc then maybe rule that one out?

Make sure you get 3 or 4 pints of fluid (water will do, not too much juice cos it's acidic) each day.
Go for a wee as soon as you need one, don't hold it in.
I'm like a camel, and can last 6 - 8 hours without needing a wee, I try and remember to go every 3 hrs or so, to stop urine building up and feeding an infection.
Don't wear tights, or tight jeans all the time. Let your 'bits' breath. If you must wear tights for work, take them off as soon as you get home, and let the air in.

Oh, and pray

Carry on as you did before, go to loo after sex and wash etc. Even if TTC, the ones than are going to hopefully get to the egg are already too far up within seconds to be washed out with a wee. Also drink plenty water.

Personally I would go to the docs and get antibiotics. The one time I delayed with this I got pylonephritis

Why must you avoid antibiotics when TTC? - I hadn't heard this (am not TTC, but just interested)

HMC
I think Msfogi is more concerned with avoiding recurrance, rather than treating when cystitis has set in.

handlemecarefully some drugs, certain antibiotics included, can harm a developing baby and if ttc you could be early in pregnancy and not know it. You would want to make sure these drugs are out of system before pregnancy. I would agree though that if you get cystitis visit GP for antibiotics, just tell them that you are ttc so that they can avoid any dangerous ones.

I have loads of experience with cystitis regretably! Can only echo everyone else though: try drinking loads on the days you think the cystitis will recur. Does that get rid of it? I used to think Antibiotics were the only thing that worked for me, but I had another attack recently after not having had one for years, and I drank and drank all night (why does it occur just as one is going to bed?!) and I got rid of it! I was amazed.
Also, are you sure you can't go to the loo after sex? Not all the little blighters come out again do they?
Good luck.

Drink a solution of bicarbonate of soda (half a teaspoon in half a glass of water) throughout the day when the symptoms start - but don't know whether it will have an adverse effect on ttc.

Lemon Barley Water

Thanks for all the ideas. I've not heard the bicarbonate of soda one before. I suppose I'll just have start going to the loo after sex (as this always worked before ttc) - was trying to avoid it as I need all the help I can get ttc (bums on pillows etc etc). I've just ordered some cranberry juice powder on the net (as the juice is impossible to find here).

Hi MrsFogi,
I have suffered from bouts of cystitis for years and I swear by cranberry juice and tablets. For me if I actually get cystitus itself then the only thing that works is antibiotics and since I had cystitis whilst pregnant and breastfeeding I know that there are definately some antibiotics that are safe to take during these times. For prevention I take cranberry juice tablets daily - you can get these from Boots although your local health food shop will probably have a better selection. You should be able to get cranberry juice in most supermarkets now. When I feel I may be more suseptible - i.e after sex - I double the dose for a couple of days and this seems to do the trick. As for going to the loo I find that so long as I go within 15-20 mins after and also make sure I wash myself (without perfumed products) that I am alright.