Does cold really cause cystitis? Or perhaps bacteria “transmitted” through sexual contact are to blame?
A female acquaintance of mine had been struggling with recurrent urinary tract infections for over a year. When she realized she was spending more on antibiotics than on food, she felt it was time to seek a solution beyond the physical realm for her problem.
During our consultation, as she began to share her story, it became clear that her symptoms started alongside a new romantic relationship. This might suggest (what a simple solution!) that her partner, along with their sexual activity, was also providing a constant supply of microorganisms. But this didn’t align with reality.
Let’s explore: what is the perfect biological solution provided by changes in the epithelium of the urinary tract?
We don’t need to look too far for the answer. In the animal kingdom, one of the clearest tools for marking territory is urine and the scent it leaves behind. We can easily understand this by observing our four-legged friends as they take turns marking car tires on the street, leaving their scent to signal to other dogs that the designated route is under their control.
What happens when an animal feels someone is encroaching on its designated (or assumed) boundaries?
This triggers a territory-boundary-marking conflict, which, thanks to biological special programs, causes the epithelial tissue of specific parts of the urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, urethra) to automatically begin degenerating. This widens the pathway for urine to facilitate its easier expulsion, aiding in more thorough boundary marking. Once this is achieved (i.e., the intrusion ceases), the thinned epithelium begins to regenerate.
This program is encoded in us humans as well and is activated in cases of possession-boundary or nest-boundary conflicts. Interestingly, women in a feminine hormonal state don’t need to mark territory, as security is typically provided by the male. However, they are capable of it, and this ability activates immediately if the nest is threatened—for example, by the appearance of a rival. In such cases, the woman becomes a warrior, and her hormonal state temporarily shifts to a masculine one.
Thus, in most cases of urinary tract changes, a rival can be identified who regularly crosses that imaginary boundary. For women, this could be, for instance, a mother-in-law (who always knows better), a partner’s ex, an old friend, or a professional rival who threatens the alpha position within the nest. The key word here is jealousy.
When we’re jealous, to resolve the situation, the epithelium in the relevant part of the urinary tract begins to degenerate, and—as an incentive—we experience frequent urges to urinate. This helps us focus on the task of boundary marking with minimal pain. Once we feel safe again, the epithelium starts a burning, painful, inflammatory regeneration process, which we commonly call cystitis, bladder infection, or renal pelvis inflammation, depending on which parts of the organ are affected.
Returning to the woman in question (let’s call her Monica), her relationship began somewhat tumultuously. Her partner, Mate, became available because his previous partner had ended their relationship. Monica and Mate were very much in sync and shared wonderful times together—until Mate’s ex learned about their relationship and made a skillful attempt to win him back. At Monica’s birthday party, Mate showed up entangled with his ex, which was far from subtle.
This was Monica’s first nest-boundary conflict, and it was a strong one!
Although Mate’s fling with his ex didn’t last long, and Monica ultimately won the battle, the frustration she endured left a deep imprint. Every time the ex was mentioned, Monica was transported back to the memories of that party, and her jealousy reactivated the nest-boundary-marking program, resulting in recurring urinary tract infections.
The cause of the condition was uncovered in just one consultation, and from there, the solution was straightforward. Once Monica managed to forgive the events and let go of the associated emotions, her symptoms disappeared, and her relationship with Mate finally became conflict-free.
This text does not aim to be comprehensive; it touches on only a part of the topic and serves to understand the biological processes occurring within us and the nature of conflicts. Every person’s life and life path are unique, so the specific triggers should be examined individually, based on the events experienced. How someone copes with their conflicts varies from person to person, and different areas are handled differently depending on the amount of negative experiences or failures accumulated there. Exploring a conflict does not replace medical care.
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