Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder, which is a type of lower urinary tract infection (UTI). It is most commonly caused by a bacterial infection in the area around the urethra. Women are far more likely to contract the disease than men due to their anatomy. Because a woman’s urethra is shorter and lies close to the anus, it allows for bacteria to reach the bladder and cause infection more easily. Men, on the other hand, have a longer urethra, located further away from the anus, making it more difficult for bacteria to spread to the bladder.