How can I prevent bladder inflammation (cystitis)?

How can I prevent bladder inflammation (cystitis)?

You can often prevent a bladder infection by adopting some good lifestyle practices. These practices include:

• Practice good hygiene habits: Make sure you have good hygiene habits (wiping front to back) and aggressively treat constipation or diarrhea.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Increase your fluid intake to help flush bacteria out of your bladder.
• Estrogen cream for postmenopausal women: When women go through menopause, their vaginal tissue changes and the good vaginal bacteria that normally colonize the vagina cannot survive. Bacteria can colonize, which causes bladder infections. To reestablish the good bacteria, you may need topical estrogen cream. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether topical estrogen cream is right for you.
• Changing birth control: You may also want to change your birth control option if you have frequent bladder infections and UTIs. Women who use diaphragms and spermicide are at greater risk of infection. You should also use a water-based lubricant during sex if needed.
• Supplements: There are over-the-counter supplements (D-mannose and cranberry) that can help prevent infections in your urinary tract. If you have frequent UTIs and bladder infections, talk to your healthcare provider about these options and make a plan about the best ways to prevent infections.