Do I Have Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder Pain Syndrome)?

Do you have a bladder pressure and pain that gets worse as your bladder fills up and relief after urinating?

Do you have pain in your lower abdomen or your lower back?

If you are a woman, do you have pain in your pelvis or between the vagina and anus?

If you are a man, do you have pain in the scrotum, testicles, penis or between the scrotum and anus (perineum)?

Do your bladder pain lasts for more than 6 weeks?

Do you have a persistent, urgent need to urinate?

Do you have a frequent urination, often in small amounts, throughout the day and night (up to 60 times a day)?

If you are a woman, do you have pain during sexual intercourse?

If you are a man, do you have pain during orgasm or after sex?

Are you a woman in your 30s or older?

Do you have a fair skin and red hair?

Do you have a chronic pain disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have interstitial cystitis (IC). Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder disorder also called bladder pain syndrome (BPS). Your bladder is an organ that stores urine. When it is full of urine, your bladder signals your brain and you feel the need to urinate. When your bladder works normally you are able to postpone the urination for some time, but with IC these signals get mixed up and you need to urinate frequently. IC is not caused by an infection and currently there is no cure for this condition. If you have any concerns talk to your doctor about it.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have interstitial cystitis (IC). IC is also known as a bladder pain syndrome (BPS). It is a long-term, painful bladder disorder, which strongly affects your daily and social activities, work and personal relationships. The signs and symptoms may vary over time and their severity may be different from person to person. IC is 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men and the risk rise with age. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis may be similar to those of a chronic urinary tract infection, so contact your doctor for an examination and diagnosis.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome is a chronic condition characterized by pain in the bladder area without having an infection. There is no single treatment for interstitial cystitis and people often try various combinations of treatments before they find the right approach for themselves. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy, oral medications or medications instilled into the bladder, nerve stimulation techniques or procedure called bladder distention (the stretching of the bladder with water). Only after other treatments fail a doctor may suggest surgery as a treatment option.