Interstitial Cystitis

Also known as painful bladder syndrome

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain.

What is interstitial cystitis?

In people with interstitial cystitis, the signals that say your bladder is full and you need to urinate get mixed up. The result is that you feel the need to urinate more often and in smaller volumes.

Interstitial cystitis most often affects women and can have a long-lasting impact on quality of life. Although there's no cure, medications and other therapies may offer relief.

Signs & Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis vary from person to person and over time. Symptom-free periods and flare-ups can occur, usually triggered by menstruation, sitting for a long time, stress, exercise and sexual activity. Symptoms include:

• Pain in your pelvis or between the vagina and anus in women
• Chronic pelvic pain
• A persistent, urgent need to urinate
• Frequent urination, often of small amounts, throughout the day and night (up to 60 times a day)
• Pain or discomfort while the bladder fills and relief after urinating.
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Although signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis may resemble those of a chronic urinary tract infection, there's usually no infection. Always check with your doctor. 

Treatments

• Medication
• Lifestyle Changes 
  • Quit Smoking
  • Avoid Bladder Irritants
• Therapy
  • Relaxation Exercises
  • Manual Therapy
  • Bladder Retraining