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Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms

Interstitial cystitis, or IC, is a persistent bladder inflammation. About 90 percent of interstitial cystitis patients are female, although men can suffer from it, too. Doctors aren't sure what causes this disorder that affects close to a million people in the United States. There are two types of interstitial cystitis. Most people have the nonulcerative form of the disorder. A few have interstitial cystitis with ulcers. There is no cure, so patients have to learn how to manage their symptoms.

  1. Symptoms Can Come and Go

    • Symptoms of IC can vary from one patient to another, and can present from mild to extremely severe. Some patients find their symptoms changing through the years. Patients often have their interstitial cystitis go into remission and then return with extremely uncomfortable symptoms during a period called a flare.

    Bathroom Break

    • The most common symptom of interstitial cystitis is a persistent need to urinate often. Many patients feel they can barely make it to the bathroom, but once there, they can only release a small amount of urine. Female patients with IC may find it difficult to fully empty their bladder. The need to constantly urinate can cause problems with routine activities, with patients unable to make it through meetings, a movie or a concert. Many patients find their sleep is disturbed because they have to get up for the bathroom several times during the night.

    Pelvic Pain

    • Pain in the pelvic region in common for interstitial cystitis patients. They may feel pain before, during and after urination. Female patients report pain between the vagina and the rectum, while male patients can experience pain between the scrotum and rectum. Both men and women often feel intermittent or continual pain just above the pubic bone.

    Frequent UTIs

    • Surprisingly, interstitial cystitis, a chronic condition, is different from an ordinary urinary tract infection(UTI), which is episodic and well treated with antibiotics. IC is in inflammation, not an infection. Unless there is an active urinary tract infection happening, a woman with even severe IC will test negative for a UTI. Some doctors believe the problem is actually not in the bladder, but in the pelvic floor that supports the bladder. However, women with IC do tend to suffer from acute urinary tract infections on a regular basis. It's important for a doctor to determine the correct diagnosis, since a UTI requires an antibiotic regimen. A UTI can make interstitial cystitis symptoms worse.

    Trouble with Intercourse

    • Many female IC patients experience pain before, during and after sexual intercourse. They may have vaginal bleeding. For some women, the extreme discomfort can be devastating to their relationships. Many find the traditional missionary position to be the most painful. Male IC patients often have pain with ejaculation.

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