What Are the Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis?

 

The following are the most common symptoms of IC. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

  • Frequent urination
  • Feelings of pressure, pain, and tenderness around the bladder, pelvis, and perineum (the area between the anus and vagina, or anus and scrotum)
  • Painful sexual intercourse
  • In men, discomfort or pain in the penis and scrotum
  • In most women, symptoms may worsen around the menstrual cycle

Stress may also intensify symptoms, but stress does not cause symptoms to occur.

The symptoms of IC may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Latest Interstitial Cystitis News
Nerve stimulation may ease cystitis symptoms

July 28, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Electrical stimulation of a nerve in the lower leg for 30 minutes twice weekly benefits some people suffering from interstitial cystitis, doctors have shown.

Anesthetic treatment helps painful bladder

March 28, 2008 — MILAN (Reuters Health) - Filling the bladder up with a local anesthetic called lidocaine can improve symptoms of interstitial cystitis, a painful chronic condition of unknown cause that usually affects women, according to findings reported at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Urology (EAU).

Select news items provided by Reuters Health