Men, too, can have a wee problem when it comes to their waterworks

SOME conditions tend to affect women, and others strike men.

Men are more likely to get hernias, for example, while women are more prone to gallstones.

But that doesn’t mean that one sex is immune to these conditions.

A chap came into see me last week regarding a problem he was having with his waterworks.

He was having pain when he went for a pee, and felt he had to go more often. His urine was cloudy and smelly, and he felt a little feverish. It was the classic signs of cystitis. What usually happens with cystitis is some bacteria from your bowel travels up the urinary tract and into the bladder, where it multiplies and causes infection.

Normally it’s associated with women – due to a shorter tract – but it can affect men, too.

Pregnant women are at increased risk, as are those with diabetes, or women who are post-menopausal.

Sometimes it can be thrush, so a dipstick test can identify whether it is cystitis.

If a woman gets cystitis, it’s usually a three-day course of antibiotics and a urine culture is then checked if the first antibiotic doesn’t work.

A urine culture can find out what bacteria are causing the problems, and a more suitable antibiotic can be deployed.

Men, pregnant women and children – even young people can get it – are given longer courses and a urine culture is checked before starting.

Often people will recommend drinking cranberry juice or a lot of fluids to flush out the bladder, but there’s no strong evidence for these.

Drinking more will mean more painful peeing experiences, but it’s important not to drink less than usual.