What are the symptoms of interstitial cystitis?

Symptoms in women may get worse during their period. Symptoms may go away for a time (remission), but they often come back again. Symptoms include:

• The frequent and urgent need to pee

• Pain or pressure in the bladder area, often relieved for a short time after peeing

• Pain in the genitals or anus

• Pain during sex

What causes interstitial cystitis?

Possible causes include:

• Damage to the protective bladder lining, allowing urine to irritate your bladder wall

• Infection of your bladder

• Allergic reaction in your bladder

• Nerve problems

• Substances found in the urine that irritate your bladder

How is interstitial cystitis treated?

Treatment may involve a combination of medicine, lifestyle changes, surgery, and other methods. There is no single known effective treatment. It may take some time to find the right combination of treatments for you.

Medicine options include:

• Pain medicine. These may be used for a short time to help ease discomfort.

• Antispasmodic medicines. These may help relax the bladder muscles. This may decrease the need to urinate.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These may help reduce inflammation and ease pain.

• Antihistamines. These may help reduce inflammation and ease pain.

• Antidepressants. In low doses, these may block pain and help ease symptoms.

• Pentosan polysulfate sodium and similar medicines. These can restore the bladder lining.

• Bladder instillation. In some cases, medicine may be flushed directly into the bladder using a catheter.

Other treatments may include:

• Biofeedback. This treatment uses sensors placed on your belly (abdomen) to let you see signals given off by your bladder muscles. This may help you control your bladder muscles and reduce symptoms.

• Electrical stimulation. Electrical signals may help block nerve sensations to and from the bladder. This may improve blood flow and strengthen pelvic muscles.

• Surgery. For severe cases, surgery may be advised.

• Botulinum toxin. This can be injected into the bladder lining to relax the muscles of the bladder.

Lifestyle changes include:

• Change in diet. Not eating foods that irritate your bladder and make your symptoms worse. These may include alcohol, spicy food, chocolate, and caffeine.

• Bladder retraining. This involves holding urine for longer and longer periods. The goal is to stretch the bladder and increase the amount the bladder can control.

• Stress management. Stress doesn't cause interstitial cystitis. But any type of chronic pain can be helped by learning ways to help manage stress. Exercise may help, too.