Signs & Symptoms of Bladder Pain

The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that sits on the pelvic floor and collects urine produced by the kidneys. Urine enters the bladder via tubes called ureters and exits via another tube called the urethra. Both men and women can experience pain in the bladder, which can be attributed to many causes. Other symptoms such as urgency, painful intercourse and pressure in the pelvic organs may accompany the pain.

Urinary Tract Infections

• One common cause of bladder pain is urinary tract infection. In addition to bladder or abdominal pain, infections may cause frequent and painful urination and burning with urination. The most common cause of a urinary tract infection is bacteria from the bowel that live on the surrounding skin around the vagina, penis or rectum. The bacteria enter the urethra and travel upward toward the urinary tract. Since women have a shorter urethra than men, they are more susceptible to urinary tract infections. Waiting too long to urinate and wiping from back to front following a bowel movement can cause an infection. Sexual activity after a long period of abstinence or vigorous thrusting during sex can also cause a urinary tract infection. An infection must be diagnosed by a urinalysis and antibiotics are the usual treatment.

Interstitial Cystitis

• Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition causing inflammation of the bladder. This condition is more common in women than in men. Sufferers may experience mild to severe bladder and pelvic pain, as well as frequent urination and urgency. Some IC sufferers have small bleeding wounds in their bladder lining. This condition is difficult to diagnose and doctors are not sure what causes it, although some professionals believe food allergies, a history of urinary tract infections or a defect in the bladder lining may contribute to IC. IC sufferers may respond to a diet that eliminates foods high in acid and potassium, or drugs such as those intended for overactive bladder. The Interstitial Cystitis Network has many resources for both patients and professionals, including an online support forum, books, videos and the information on the latest research.

Urethral Stricture

• Urethral stricture occurs when the urethra is scarred by infection or injury. The scarring narrows the urethra, which causes the flow of urine to be blocked. If the stricture isn't opened up, urine will back up into the system and result in bladder infection, inflammation of the prostate gland, ureters or kidneys. Long term, the condition can result in kidney failure and death. If urine flow is completely blocked, a catheter must be inserted to drain the bladder. In some cases, a wire dilator or a procedure involving the use of a cystoscope and instruments to open up the stricture are helpful. In chronic, recurrent cases, an implanted catheter or surgical removal of the narrowed section of the urethra may be most effective.

Bladder Cancer

• Bladder cancer typically affects older adults, although younger people can develop it. Smoking, family history, long-term use of a urinary catheter and chemical exposure are risk factors for developing bladder cancer. Symptoms include blood in the urine, painful and frequent urination, abdominal or back pain and urinary tract infection. Bladder cancer is diagnosed by urine test, x-rays using an injected dye or using a narrow scope to look inside the bladder. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Vaginal Cancer

• Vaginal cancer is rare and most commonly occurs in the cells that line the vagina. Since the vagina is close to the bladder, bladder pain can be a possible symptom of vaginal cancer. Other possible symptoms include bleeding after intercourse, lump or mass in the vagina, watery discharge that may contain blood or be foul-smelling, painful urination, constipation and pelvic pain. Risk factors include being over the age of 60, previous gynecological cancer, exposure to the HPV virus and exposure to miscarriage prevention drugs. Treatment options include surgical removal of the tumor, radiation and chemotherapy. In more advanced cases, removal of the entire vagina and the surrounding pelvic organs may be necessary.

Further Information

• Since bladder pain has many causes--some of which may be life-threatening--consultation with a medical professional is necessary. Family doctors may be able to treat minor bladder problems, but more chronic conditions require consultation with a urologist or other medical professional.