Interstitial cystitis (IC)
What is IC?
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammation of the bladder muscle layers causing painful urination. Its symptoms may vary from person to person but the most common symptoms are:
- pelvic and abdominal pain and pressure
- frequent urination
- urgency (feeling like you need to urinate, even right after urinating)
- incontinence (accidental leakage of urine)
Severe interstitial cystitis symptoms can affect your quality of life. You may feel like you can’t exercise or leave your home because you have to use the bathroom too often, or perhaps your relationship is suffering because sex is painful.
You need to consult a urologist to improve the symptoms.
Who is more likely to develop IC?
IC can occur at any age but more common in adult women and men. About twice as many women are affected as men.
What other health problems associated with IC?
Many women with IC are more likely to have other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Allergies and some autoimmune diseases are also associated with IC. Vulvodynia, which is chronic pain in the vulva that often causes a burning or stinging feeling, or rawness, is commonly associated with IC.
What are the complications of IC?
Symptoms of IC affect the quality of life. Due to pelvic pain, women may have painful sexual intercourse. Men also can experience pelvic pain that causes uncomfortable or painful sex.
People with chronic IC have to struggle with sleep loss due to the frequent need to urinate, and with anxiety and depression.
If you have any query about interstitial cystitis call to Dr. Mangesh Patil. He is a renowned and Best Urologist in Mumbai. He is trained in Endourology and Robotic Surgery, with professional experience of more than 10 years.
