Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as bladder pain syndrome (BPS), is a chronic condition characterized by pain and pressure in the bladder and pelvic area, often accompanied by urinary frequency and urgency. It’s a chronic problem, meaning it can last for years or be a lifelong condition. While the exact cause is unknown, it’s believed to involve inflammation and irritation of the bladder walls, leading to a variety of symptoms.
Here’s a more detailed look:
Symptoms:
Pain or pressure:
Pain can be mild to severe and may feel like pressure in the bladder or pelvis.
Urinary frequency and urgency:
Needing to urinate frequently, often small amounts, and a strong urge to urinate.
Other symptoms:
Some individuals may experience pain during urination (dysuria), pain during sex (dyspareunia), or other pelvic pain.
Causes:
Unknown: The exact cause of IC/BPS is not fully understood.
Possible factors: Some theories suggest that IC/BPS may be related to inflammation, irritation, or a combination of factors affecting the bladder.
Not an infection: IC/BPS is not a urinary tract infection (UTI), meaning that urine tests will not show signs of bacteria.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of exclusion:
IC/BPS is often diagnosed by ruling out other potential causes of bladder symptoms.
Physical exam and tests:
A healthcare provider may perform a physical exam, review your medical history, and order tests like a urine test, cystoscopy (a procedure to visualize the bladder), and possibly a bladder biopsy.