Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder and lower urinary tract (LUT) symptoms in women are very common after sexual intercourse.
Whilst it is usually due to an infection caused by bacteria being introduced into the urethra from the anus or vagina during sex, approximately a third of cases are non-infective and these are the result of the body’s reaction to the trauma of the physical act.
‘Honeymoon’ cystitis came into popular usage because, in days gone by, a woman’s first exposure to intercourse would have been on her honeymoon but, in these more liberated days, any sexual activity can produce this undesirable side effect in susceptible women – even masturbation.
Non-bacterial honeymoon cystitis can be caused by frequency of intercourse – particularly relevant to those having a romantic weekend away; poor vaginal lubrication – through anxiety or inadequate arousal due to lack of or inexpert foreplay; and, often, post-menopausal vaginal atrophy. This is where the dropping levels of oestrogen cause the vagina to become thinner, exposing it to damage if used too roughly.
Wanting to pee all the time (even when you’ve only just been) and pain and burning on urination are the most common features of honeymoon cystitis. If you cannot control the problem within 24 hours by drinking a lot of cranberry juice or a few glasses of bicarbonate of soda in water plus a dose of paracetamol and a hot water bottle on your belly, then you should visit your doctor to discuss antibiotics as you may have fallen victim to a bacterial strain. Just as we are always instructed to wipe ‘front to back’, your partner must be careful not to move his fingers from your anus to your urethra.
Whether you’re a young woman, a new Mum or post-Menopausal you need to look after the muscle tone of your pelvic area to keep the bladder and urethra healthy and in good working order so that they are not affected by their proximity to your more strenuous sexual activities.
However, as we get older and enter Menopause, hormonal imbalance means that women are more likely to suffer with this irritating condition when they have had sex, especially if it is an enduring and intense weekend or if they masturbate frequently.
By far the best way to prevent cystitis and sex becoming related, whatever your age, is to give your pelvic floor and, more particularly, your vagina a regular work-out with a kegel exerciser. The Kegel8 Tight & Tone has a number of different pre-set programmes to help with specific areas of concern.
For myself, I have almost eradicated what used to be a very depressing side-effect of sex and menopause during a weekend away. If I ensure that I get myself in tip-top condition by using the device for a few days before and then maybe once during, if things have been particularly intense.
It doesn’t have to be a neuro-muscular stimulator, a regular session with any of the various Kegel exercisers will produce the required improvement in muscle tone to allow everything to spring back into place after sexual activity. I tend to take the Kegel8 with me because it is small, compact and has a timer so you know you’ve done the right amount of exercise, but a Pelvic Toner or Vaginal Cones will perform the same function.
Not having the nagging worry that such an irriation might be about to spoil things gives me the freedom to explore and experiment with impunity making a romantic weekend away exactly that.
A chance to relax and rediscover the ‘honeymoon’ me, without fear.