Painful Bladder Syndrome / Interstitial Cystitis

Painful Bladder Syndrome / Interstitial Cystitis:

This pain or discomfort is perceived to be related to the bladder upon filling or often immediately after emptying. Symptoms include urinary urgency with pressure, burning and aching pain along with increased frequency, > 8 times per day, and > 3 months duration.

Associated symmptoms may also include low back pain, sexual dysfunction (pain during sex, pain after sex - termed post-coitus pain). Painful Bladder Syndrome was formerly known as Interstitial Cystitis - a chronic inflammation within the wall or lining of the bladder.

However recent research supports that this is more of a condition of musculoskeletal dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles, and rarely associated with any true bladder pathology, such as a Hunner's Lesion (which only occurs in less than 8% of cases). As there is no infection present, the frequent rounds of antibiotics that patients are often put on do little to modify a patient's symptoms.

Contact us with any questions you may have about your Painful Bladder Syndrome or Interstitial Cystitis diagnosis. We have a number of treatment options available!

** The American Urological Association has recently (2022) published updated guidelines to the treatment of IC and BPS.  These updates are highlighted and discussed in our blog post: Updates to Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome Treatment Guidelines. **