Interstitial Cystitis

What is it? How is it treated? How can pelvic health therapy help?

Interstitial Cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome is a chronic pelvic pain condition with bladder symptoms. It is characterized by bladder pain, pressure, and discomfort, along with a frequent and urgent need to urinate. The symptoms of IC often mimic a UTI so it can be difficult at first to diagnose. The exact cause of IC is not known, but many believe that it involves multiple factors. While it is most common in women, it can happen in men and children as well.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms of IC can vary in their severity and they can also come and go, depending on each person. This can have a huge impact on a person's quality of life, leading to other struggles and issues. The most common symptoms are:

1. Frequent urination: sometimes IC will cause someone to urinate as much as 30 times in a day.

2. Urgency: strong and sudden urges make it difficult to hold urine.

3. Pelvic pain and discomfort: pain, pressure, or discomfort ranging from mild to severe.

4. Pain during sex

5. Nocturia: frequent urination during the night that can disturb sleep patterns

6. Incontinence

7. Bladder pain or tenderness

If many of these symptoms seem familiar to you, talk to your doctor. The sooner you are able to get a diagnosis, the sooner you are able to build a plan to manage your symptoms.

Treatment

According to the American Urological Association, the only treatments with Grade A evidence for IC are pelvic floor therapy and behavioral modifications. According to the research, most medications and medical procedures for IC are no better than a placebo. Because pelvic floor therapy has the most evidence for IC, it is beneficial for anyone with IC to go through pelvic floor therapy. Many patients that receive pelvic floor therapy can eliminate most or all symptoms over time. These three aspects should be addressed in order to treat IC.

1. Lifestyle modifications: Avoid certain foods, beverages, and activities that irritate your bladder. Foods that irritate one person with IC, may not irritate another person with IC. See what foods/drinks are your personal triggers.

2. Stress reduction: Find what works best for you. This may include going outside, journaling, going to counseling, or doing meditation.

3. Pelvic floor therapy: During pelvic floor therapy, your pelvic floor specialist will take you through various stretches, breathing exercises, and muscle releases. Your pelvic floor therapist can work on the pelvic floor muscles internally and/or externally. Many patients are surprised that releasing the muscle tension, actually eliminates most if not all of the bladder pain and symptoms.

If you are struggling with interstitial cystitis and you haven't tried pelvic health therapy yet, talk to your doctor and give us a call. We would love to help!