3 Common Signs of Interstitial Cystitis

When a condition contains the word pain in the title, it gives you a good idea about what tops the list of symptoms. Such is the case with interstitial cystitis, now called interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, or IC/BPS.

Millions of Americans have a firsthand account of this symptom, and others — IC/BPS affects between 3 and 8 million women and between 1 and 4 million men in the United States.

While pain may grab the headlines, it’s certainly not the only symptom of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. To paint a more complete picture, the team of bladder health experts here at Arizona Urology outlines some common signs of IC/BPS and what to do if you’re experiencing any of them. 

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome explained

Before we explore common signs of IC/BPS, it’s helpful to discuss this surprisingly common condition. 

IC/BPS isn’t an acute urinary tract infection — in fact, there’s no infection present. Instead, it’s a painful condition that lasts for 6 weeks or longer, and it involves inflammation in your bladder. 

In up to 10% of cases, the inflammation and pain are due to an ulcer in the wall of the bladder. In 90% of cases of IC-PBS, there’s no ulcer present, just inflammation, and we’re unclear as to why this develops.

Recognizing interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

Now, let’s get into the topic at hand — the main signs of IC/BPS — which include:

1. Pelvic pain

Since we’ve already brought up the bladder pain, let’s flesh this symptom out further. The pain that’s associated with IC/BPS can vary greatly from one person to the next in terms of severity, as well as location. 

For example, women can feel the pain around their bladder, especially as it fills, but the pain can also radiate out to the urethra, lower back, and vulva. Women can also feel pain during sex since the bladder is next to the vagina.

Men with IC/BPS can feel pain around their bladders, as well as discomfort around their scrotum, penis, and rectum.

Over time, the pain can become more of an all-around pelvic ache for some people. It might not even be classified as pain, but more like pressure in your lower abdomen.

2. Frequent urination

As noticeable (and disruptive) as the pain that comes with IC/BPS is, most people also encounter a marked increase in urination. On average, people urinate about 5-8 times a day. With IC/BPS, you urinate far more often than that, as well as during the night.

3. Urinary urgency

Given that your bladder is inflamed, it’s more sensitive, so you may feel more urgency to urinate than usual. Even with the slightest amount of fluid in your bladder.

Pelvic pain and changes in urination are the primary signs of IC/BPS. The best way to figure out what’s behind your symptoms and whether you’re dealing with IC/BPS is to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Phoenix, Goodyear, Gilbert, and Glendale, Arizona, for a comprehensive evaluation.