Difference between cystitis and UTI

Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder, which is caused by a bacterial infection called a urinary tract infection (UTI).

It’s the most common type of UTI, especially in women, and may be recurrent. In fact, it’s not unusual for some women to experience frequent episodes of UTIs, in which case long-term treatment will typically be required.

Mild cases of cystitis can clear up by themselves within a few days. 

However, cystitis may not go away on its own and, if left untreated, could lead to a more serious kidney infection called pyelonephritis. Therefore, it’s important to contact your GP if your symptoms persist.