What is a common treatment for acute cystitis in women?

Acute cystitis, which is often referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI), is commonly treated with antibiotics. This is because acute cystitis is typically caused by bacterial infections, most frequently by Escherichia coli, and antibiotics effectively target and eliminate these pathogens. The timely use of antibiotics helps to alleviate symptoms, reduce the duration of the infection, and prevent potential complications.

While vaginal estrogen can be a treatment option for postmenopausal women experiencing recurrent UTIs due to vaginal atrophy, it is not utilized for the initial treatment of acute cystitis. Oral contraceptives do not address bacterial infections and are primarily intended for contraception, while antihistamines are used to relieve allergy symptoms and have no therapeutic effect on urinary tract infections. Hence, antibiotics remain the standard and most effective treatment for acute cystitis in women.