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Summary
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a condition that causes discomfort or pain in the bladder and a need to urinate frequently and urgently. It is far more common in women than in men. The symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may have pain without urgency or frequency. Others have urgency and frequency without pain. Women's symptoms often get worse during their periods. They may also have pain with sexual intercourse.
The cause of IC isn't known. There is no one test to tell if you have it. Doctors often run tests to rule out other possible causes of symptoms. There is no cure for IC, but treatments can help most people feel better. They include
- Distending, or inflating, the bladder
- Bathing the inside of the bladder with a drug solution
- Oral medicines
- Electrical nerve stimulation
- Physical therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Bladder training
- In rare cases, surgery
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Interstitial Cystitis (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Interstitial Cystitis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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What I Need to Know about Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Also in Spanish
Symptoms
- General IC Symptoms (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
Diagnosis and Tests
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Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (Beyond the Basics) (UpToDate)
Treatments and Therapies
- IC Treatment: Antidepressants (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
- IC Treatment: Antihistamines (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
- IC Treatment: Surgical Procedures (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
- Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (Beyond the Basics) (UpToDate)
Living With
- Bladder Retraining (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
- Interstitial Cystitis and Diet (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
Related Issues
- Hunner's Ulcers (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
- IC Associated Conditions (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
- IC: Frequently Asked Questions (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Cystitis (National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Cystitis, Interstitial (National Institutes of Health)
Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Revisiting the Role of Potassium Sensitivity Testing and Cystoscopic Hydrodistention...
- Article: Inflammation and Symptom Change in Interstitial Cystitis or Bladder Pain...
- Article: Stem Cell Therapy for Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.
- Interstitial Cystitis -- see more articles
Reference Desk
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Urinary Tract and How It Works (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Also in Spanish
Find an Expert
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Directory of Kidney and Urologic Diseases Organizations (National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse)
- PDF
- Find a Urologist (Urology Care Foundation)
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Children
- Children and IC (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
Men
- Men and IC (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
Women
- Pregnancy and IC (Interstitial Cystitis Association)
Patient Handouts
- Interstitial cystitis Also in Spanish
