I have suffered from urinary tract diseases for about 15 years. I still remember the first cystitis (or at least the first one I can remember because of the pain): I was on the ***, on holiday with my first boyfriend, and I had attributed all that pain to excessive sexual activity. Cystitis (or maybe something else because I also remember whitish discharge) had ruined my first elopement: after two days I could barely pee, and having intercourse was impossible. I also remember the feeling of guilt I had — I kept apologising to ***, as if it was my fault. From that time on, I started suffering from mild cystitis almost once a month. I had talked it over with my gynaecologist at the time, and she had given me sachets of cranberry supplements to take the week before my period every month. I had noticed that the cystitis mostly occurred in the pre-menstruation period, and with the sachets it seemed to get a little better. At the time, I didn't talk about it with my boyfriend — I was ashamed, as if I felt that something in my body wasn't working right, as if I wasn't made right, not fit for penetration. I have to admit that once this relationship was over the cystitis became rarer (but not completely gone!), so I started to think the problem could not just be physical — there had to be some other factor. For at least a couple of years, I did not talk to the gynaecologist about it in depth. As soon as I felt that my lower abdomen started to tense up and the desire to pee was more frequent, I bought two bottles of low fixed residue water, ate a box of blueberries (so I had read on the internet), and the symptoms improved after a couple of days. The most painful episode, however, was about eight years ago, when the cystitis became haemorrhagic and I had a fever of 38°C. I remember the heat and the cold, the pain of almost not being able to walk. I remember I felt like crying. While I was waiting for the metro at ***, I wanted to scream because of the very strong burning I felt starting from my urethra and radiating down to my lower abdomen. And then the blood, bright red, different from that of a normal menstruation. That evening I told my mum about my cystitis for the first time, and I also told my new boyfriend — without shame. I ran to the first pharmacy on duty and with tears in my eyes I asked them to help me get better, and they gave me Monuril. The day after that night, I did not sleep. I did not go to university. My body was numb, tired, and I felt like a giant bruise in place of what I think is the bladder. However, the antibiotic seemed to have worked: within 24 hours I was as good as new. Since that night, I started to take the matter more seriously and told myself, “If it happens again, I will go to the gynaecologist.” Shortly afterwards, I went on holiday with my boyfriend and some friends. Again, like a few years before, I suffered from cystitis. I remember begging a pharmacist in *** to give me something to make me feel better (Cys-Control Canneberge). Only after four or five days without intercourse did the pain go away completely. After this experience, I really began to think that my life could never be the same again, especially in the sexual sphere. Shortly afterwards, in fact, I took the decision to have more in-depth analyses, requesting urine and blood tests on the advice of the gynaecologist. I tested positive for Escherichia coli and was diagnosed with very strong bacterial cystitis, probably due to an existing chronic cystitis. I did an initial one-month treatment — taking antibiotic tablets by mouth, vaginal ova and douches, combined with a diet low in fat, refined flours, dairy products and irritating foods. Although it has been many years now, I remember this episode as the last truly traumatic one. I still often suffer from ailments such as cystitis, but I have learnt to recognise the first symptoms, which in my case correspond to a sensation of pain and swelling in the bladder that is relieved as soon as I contract my pelvis as if I wanted to pee. As soon as I realise this, for three days I avoid alcohol, fizzy drinks, spicy food, fat, dairy products... in short, for three days I eat courgettes, chard and brown rice. If the cystitis comes anyway, I immediately do a course of Monuril. I tried to keep a diary to mark when it would occur and I noticed that in addition to occurring before my period, it also preceded my liver pains (I suffer from gallbladder sludge). Sometimes, when the pain was very strong and I did not have Monuril with me, I took the anti-inflammatory (OKI) to get some relief. Ever since I started listening to my body and realising that this pain was not only due to sexual activity, I have less pain and I have discovered that, in my case, a correct and balanced diet and hydration are my way of preventing very painful cystitis. If I suffer from dysentery or constipation, I take all the necessary precautions. I am very careful how I wash myself, and I only eat “safe” food. My sex life has changed: I pee and wash myself immediately after every intercourse. However, just in case, I always take two sachets of Monuril if I go away for two days.