The painful bladder syndrome, also called interstitial cystitis, is a chronic condition that causes pelvic pain and bladder pressure. This condition can cause mild discomfort or severe pain. A condition known as painful bladder syndrome, intermittent cystitis causes pressure and pain in the bladder and the pelvis. Various levels of discomfort may be present.

An organ that stores urine in the bladder. It is hollow and muscular. During urination, your bladder expands until it is complete, signaling your brain via your pelvic nerves that you need to urinate. Most people feel an urge to urinate during this process.

An organ that stores urine in the bladder. It is hollow and muscular. During urination, your bladder expands until it is complete, signaling your brain via your pelvic nerves that you need to urinate. Most people feel the need to urinate because of this.

The signals get mixed up with interstitial cystitis, causing you to urinate more often and with a smaller urine volume than most people.

Causes

Many factors might contribute to interstitial cystitis, though the exact cause is unknown. The bladder’s protective lining (epithelium) may also be defective in people with interstitial cystitis. Toxic substances in urine may irritate your bladder wall if a leak in the epithelium.

An autoimmune reaction, a hereditary defect, an infection, or an allergy may also play a role.

Symptoms

  • Women typically experience pelvic or vaginal pain.
  • In men, the area between the scrotum and the anus (perineum) is painful.
  • Chronic pelvic pain.
  • During the day and night, frequent urination takes place often in small amounts (up to 60 times daily).
  • While the bladder fills, there is pain or discomfort, and there is a relief once the bladder empties.
  • The urge to urinate is persistent and urgent.
  • During a sexual encounter, there is pain.
FQA’s:

Common cystitis is caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics. Interstitial cystitis is not.

The urine culture results of women with interstitial cystitis will be negative, meaning that no bacteria are found in the urine. Pain may also accompany sexual activity for women with IC, which is unfamiliar with a urinary tract infection.

In the same way as a urinary tract infection, interstitial cystitis can negatively affect the quality of life if left untreated.

IC may be responsible for urine odor changes caused by perturbed volatile organic compounds (VOCs).