If you have had cystitis before, you may be able to recognise the symptoms and diagnose the condition yourself.
However, men and children with cystitis symptoms should always see their GP. Men, women and children should see their GP if:
- this is the first time you've had cystitis symptoms
- there's blood in your urine (haematuria)
- you have a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF)
- you're in a lot of pain
- you've had cystitis three times in one year
Your GP should be able to diagnose cystitis from asking about your symptoms. In some cases, they may also use a dipstick (a chemically treated strip of paper) to test a sample of your urine. The paper will react to certain bacteria by changing colour, showing which kind of infection you have.
Urine culture
Your GP may wish to send a sample of your urine to a laboratory for further testing. This sample is called a urine culture. This may be necessary if:
- you have recurrent cystitis (more than three times in one year)
- it is possible that you may have a kidney infection – cystitis can be a symptom of this
- you are on immunosuppressant medication (medication that suppresses your immune system) – these affect your body’s defences so you may be more prone to infection
- you have diabetes (a long-term condition caused by too much glucose in the blood) – cystitis can be a complication of diabetes
- you may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) – such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia
- it is possible that you have another infection, such as thrush (candida)
The urine culture will confirm which bacteria are causing your cystitis. Alternatively, it may reveal that your cystitis is caused by another condition. Your GP can advise you about the most appropriate treatment for you.
Further tests
If you have recurrent cystitis that does not respond to antibiotics, even after a urine culture has been tested, you may be referred to a specialist. You may need to have some other tests, such as:
A cystoscopy is when a tiny fibre-optic camera, called a cystoscope, is used to examine your bladder. The cystoscope is a very thin tube that has a light and a camera at one end. It is inserted into your urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body) and transmits images of the inside of your bladder to a screen.
Any further tests that you need will be explained to you by the healthcare professional treating you.
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