What is Interstitial Cystitis?

September is Interstitial Cystitis Awareness Month! This month, we focus on what interstitial cystitis is, what causes it, how to manage it, and more. Each September serves as an opportunity to increase awareness of the condition, recognize symptoms, and encourage people to seek the appropriate care. 

 

What is Interstitial Cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis, also known as bladder pain syndrome, is a chronic pain condition that impacts your bladder and pelvic region. It can cause bladder pressure, bladder pain, and pelvic pain that can range from mild to severe.

 

There are different classifications of interstitial cystitis. The first type is Hunner’s Lesions, which accounts for 5-10% of IC cases. Hunner’s Lesions are painful, inflamed patches of damage on the walls of the bladder. The other 90-95% of interstitial cystitis cases are classified as non-ulcerative Interstitial Cystitis. 

 

What causes interstitial cystitis?

The official cause of interstitial cystitis is currently unknown, but experts believe it is caused by a variety of things. Bladder related factors, like inflammation, mast cell dysfunction, and fibrosis are suspected to be the main sources of irritation. Defects in your bladder lining can also cause irritation to the walls of your bladder and pain. 

 

Non-bladder related factors can also be at play. Things like central sensitization, or a hypersensitive nervous system, can cause your body to react more intensely to things that didn’t used to hurt. Experts also believe that autoimmune conditions and hereditary factors can contribute to the pain and discomfort. 

 

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of interstitial cystitis can vary from person to person, and even vary in the same person over time. There are three main symptoms of IC:

1. Pain: Pain in the pelvic region, mainly the lower abdomen, urethral, and vaginal area are common with IC. The pain can be acute, beginning suddenly and lasting for a shorter amount of time, or chronic and recurring frequently for longer periods of time. It can also cause pain with sex and with orgasms. 
2. Urinary frequency: People with IC may experience frequent urination, both during the day and at night. The “normal” range for urinating is every 2-4 hours, or between 5-8 times in a 24 hour period. You may also experience nocturia, or waking up to pee more than once each night. 
3. Urinary urgency: Urinary urgency is the sudden, and often uncontrollable urge to urinate. This can go hand in hand with pain, pressure, or spasms. 

These symptoms are similar to those caused by a UTI, but there is no infection present.  

 

Who is affected?

Anyone can be diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, and it is estimated to impact between 4 and 12 million people in the United States alone. Certain factors are associated with a higher risk of developing IC:

1. Sex: Women are diagnosed with IC roughly 5 to 10 times more often than men. This is because men are often misdiagnosed with chronic prostatitis, meaning that the number of men and women dealing with IC may be more similar than initially thought.
2. Age: People are typically diagnosed with IC in their 30s or older. Symptoms may begin in your 20s, with a diagnosis following later. The chances of developing IC rise as you get older. 
3. Other chronic pain disorders: If you have other chronic pain conditions, it is more likely that you may have IC because of the overlapping nerve pathways. Conditions like endometriosis, fibromyalgia, vulvodynia, and irritable bowel syndrome are often seen in patients with IC. 

 

How can Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy help?

While there is no cure for interstitial cystitis, pelvic floor physical therapy can help to manage the related symptoms. Issues like urinary urgency and frequency, pain with sex, constipation, pain in the pelvic region, and more can all be treated with a personalized plan from a physical therapist. 

 

Read more about V Strong Physical Therapy, and learn how pelvic floor physical therapy can benefit you. Book a consult call with our team to get started on your pelvic health journey today! 

 

vstrongphysicaltherapy.com

 

Works Cited

“Interstitial Cystitis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 29 Sept. 2021, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/interstitial-cystitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354357.

 

Mueller, Jandra. “Interstitial Cystitis & Bladder Pain Syndrome: Diagnosis & Subtypes: PHRC.” Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center, 29 June 2024, pelvicpainrehab.com/blog/interstitial-cystitis-bladder-pain-syndrome-diagnosis-and-subtypes/.