Cystitis is a type of urinary tract infection, specifically a lower urinary tract infection, accounting for over 60% of all urinary tract infections. It is categorized into acute simple cystitis and recurrent cystitis.
The primary symptoms of cystitis are urinary irritation signs, which include frequent urination, urgency, and pain during urination. However, some patients may experience pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen, specifically above the pubic bone. Others may feel a dull ache in the lower abdomen, and some may have difficulty urinating.
If the difficulty in urination is significant and the bladder is full of urine, it can lead to or worsen abdominal bloating. The urine often appears cloudy, and about 30% of patients may experience hematuria, even visible blood in the urine.
Generally, there are no systemic infection symptoms, meaning patients typically do not experience chills, fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or headaches.
Therefore, some patients with cystitis may experience a dull ache in the lower abdomen.