Interstitial cystitis

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition

Wherever you go, the first thing you do is scope out the location of the nearest toilet. You can't get a good night's sleep because the pressure or pain in your bladder awakens you. And you may have pain in your pelvis, which can range from mild burning or discomfort to severe pain.

You may think you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), but antibiotics haven't helped. Instead you may have interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome. Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition that affects an estimated 1 million Americans. While it can affect children and men, most of those affected are women. Interstitial cystitis can have a long-lasting adverse impact on your quality of life.

The severity of symptoms caused by interstitial cystitis often fluctuates, and some people may experience periods of remission. Although there's no treatment that reliably eliminates interstitial cystitis, a variety of medications and other therapies offer relief. Work with your doctor to find what works best for you.

Symptoms