Sufferers should drink plenty of fluid throughout the day. However, it is important that the fluid is not provided by acidic drinks such as strong tea, coffee and citrus fruit drinks. The extra fluid dilutes the urine, increasing the volume produced and the increased output can then help to flush-out the bacteria. Cranberry juice may be helpful.
After a bowel movement, care should be taken to wipe away from the urethra to prevent infection. Holding a hot water bottle against the abdomen can help to relieve the pain.
Alternative remedies containing herbal extracts are also available. The herbs used include bearberry, buchu leaf, couchgrass, equisetum, shepherd’s purse and uva ursi. These have a tradition of use for symptomatic relief of bladder and urinary tract discomfort. Some of the herbs have a slight diuretic effect, which helps to flush-out the infection.

Cystitis is an acute inflammation of the bladder and urethra. It is usually caused by bacterial infection. Although cystitis can affect men, it is usually much more common among women because of the:
- Warm, humid conditions in the vagina and uterus, which provide an ideal environment for bacterial growth and multiplication.
- Open, external genitalia, which make infection more likely that it is in men
- Short urethra, which enables rapid infection of the bladder.
Infection by the bacteria found in or around the anus is the most common cause of cystitis. The bacteria can be transferred to the urethra during sexual intercourse, by wiping the bottom from the anus towards the urethra, or during menstruation.
The pain experienced by people with cystitis is due partly to inflammation and partly to the irritant effects of the urine, which the bacteria make more acidic than normal.
NB: Medical advice is needed for:
- Men or children with symptoms of cystitis
- Women with cystitis who are also vomiting, have an unusual vaginal discharge, have blood in the urine, or are pregnant
- Women with recurrent symptoms, plus increased thirst, weight loss and thrush

- Thick, creamy discharge, or a yellow, watery discharge
- Discharge is usually odourless
- Vulva and vaginal walls can become red and inflammed, often with visible white patches
- Intense itching
- Pain in the vagina when having sexual intercourse
- Painful stinging of the vulva area when passing urine
NB: In those who suffer frequently, the symptom pattern may change and the discharge may be minimal.

OTC treatments include:
- Fluconazole, a single-dose treatment in capsule form. A single capsule should be effective. It should not be used:
- During pregnancy
- By sexually active women of child-bearing age without adequate contraception
- By women under 16 years old or over 60 years old
- Clotrimazole and Miconazole for vulval and vaginal treatment. These are available as creams and vaginal pessaries that can be used together. A single overnight treatment with intravaginal cream or pessary should be effective.
A lower strength cream can be used externally to relieve itching and any inflammation caused by discharge.
NB: sufferers should feel an improvement within a day or two. If symptoms persist after 7 days you should see your GP.

Women with thrush should wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid wearing tights or tight trousers. This is to avoid creating the warm, moist conditions that helps thrush develop.
Women should also avoid using bath salts, vaginal deodorants and bubble baths that can encourage the development of thrush by removing competing bacteria.
Some women find that live yoghurt applied to the vagina can help. This works by introducing harmless bacteria that compete with the thrush.
As thrush also lives in the bowel, women should wipe from front to back after a bowel movement.

Most OTC contraceptives use the barrier method to prevent pregnancy. These are male condoms, female condoms and diaphragms.
The effectiveness of barrier methods can be increased by using spermicidal creams or pessaries such as nonoxynol.

Barrier methods of contraception help prevent pregnancy and also help to avoid the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV infection, during intercourse.