Cystitis and bladder endometriosis are often confused, but there is a way to recognize them

Friend,

today’s topic is particularly interesting: how to tell whether it is cystitis or bladder endometriosis?

I’ll tell you right now: it’s not simple, the symptoms are quite similar, and for that reason it’s easy to confuse them. But you don’t have to worry. For this very reason I am about to tell you about:

• How to recognize bladder endometriosis;
• What are the symptoms;
• How cystitis differs;
• How to act if you suspect you have cystitis.

Are we clear? Let’s get going! 💪🏼

Bladder endometriosis and cystitis: how to distinguish them

Many people wonder: why is bladder endometriosis often mistaken for cystitis?

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that mainly affects women of childbearing age (we are roughly talking about the 20-40 age group).

This disease occurs when the endometrium (the tissue lining the inside of the uterus) is in excess and develops in ‘abnormal’ areas, such as the intestines, extra-pelvic area, kidneys or ovaries.

Although with an incidence of 1-2%, endometriosis can be bladder type if it affects the urinary tract.

But then: why is this often and frequently confused with cystitis?

The reason is simple. Patients suffering from it manifest similar symptomatology, such as:

• urinary retention;
• Pain during urination;
• Frequent urination.

These symptoms are then accompanied by severe menstrual cramps, pain during intercourse, bleeding when going to pee, constipation, and pain in the abdominal area.

What are the causes of bladder endometriosis?

It is hard to say, but there are some studies that have put forward hypotheses.

Among various theories, there is that of ‘retrograde menstruation,’ which occurs when some of the blood reaches the pelvic area and carries endometrial cells with it.

Here, these nice cells find themselves in the pelvic area and think, “wow, I look good, I guess I’ll stop right here!” And they really do.

The problem is that then, they will start to behave like uterine tissue cells and continue to bleed even after menstruation ends.

So, to summarize in two lines, for some people bladder endometriosis is like a kind of ‘frequent hemorrhagic cystitis‘ that occurs with the arrival of menstruation and, to make no bones about it, is particularly painful.

In short, let’s say it’s not the best.

How to tell (instead) if it is cystitis?

Quite different from bladder endometriosis, cystitis is an inflammation that, if not properly treated, could become chronic.

As we saw just now, the causes are similar. In fact, a woman suffering from cystitis:

• experiences pain during urination;
• Has feeling of not having emptied the bladder completely;
• has an urge to pee, but has a hard time urinating (almost as if it comes out with an eyedropper);
• Has foul-smelling urine and, sometimes, with blood;
• experiences severe pain in the lower abdominal area.

Therefore, if you suspect that you are suffering from cystitis, the first thing to do is to perform urinoculture, a test that allows you to detect bacteria in the urine sample and, if necessary, identify a specific, targeted treatment.

What if you haven’t had time to talk to your doctor?

Well, alternatively you can opt for urine sticks.

If you have never heard of them, they are a series of strips that change color when they detect bacteria in urine.

What is the solution to get rid of cystitis?

The first thing to do is definitely to see your primary care physician to identify the problem and choose the appropriate solution.

There are two routes here: antibiotics or D-mannose( I explain the pros and cons of one and the other in this in-depth discussion).

If you have never heard of D-mannose, let me explain in a few words what it is.

We are talking about a simple sugar that is extracted from the bark of hardwood trees-we use birch for Dimann products.

But why is it so advantageous? For three simple reasons.

👉🏻 Prevents infections.
👉🏻 Due to its action, bacteria are excreted through urine.
👉🏻 Respects vaginal flora and does not kill bacteria.

To figure out which product is best for you, I can only suggest that you try taking the ‘Find Your Path‘ test designed especially for people in your situation by Dimann Girls.

By answering the questions, we will be able to recommend the best solution for you!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

A hug!

Lorenza

This article in a nutshell

• Bladder endometriosis is a special condition that affects the urinary tract and presents symptoms similar to those of cystitis.
• The true cause of this condition is not yet certain, but there are several theories that endometrial cells take root in the pelvic area and continue to bleed after the cycle.
• Cystitis is an inflammation that makes urination difficult and painful.
• To tell if it is cystitis, you will need to perform a test called a urinoculture and agree with your doctor on the best solution.