Painful bladder symptoms & treatment

Painful bladder syndrome, or interstitial cystitis (IC), is a chronic condition that causes pressure and pain in your bladder. Sometimes the pain extends into your pelvis. Painful bladder syndrome can affect both men and women, though it’s more common in women.

Doctors aren’t sure what causes interstitial cystitis. But health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia may make you more prone to painful bladder syndrome.

Symptoms of painful bladder syndrome

Symptoms of interstitial cystitis include:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Feeling a strong, urgent need to urinate throughout the day
• Frequent urination
• Mild to severe burning pain in your bladder
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain in your pelvic floor (In women, this is the area between your vagina and your anus. In men, this is the area between your scrotum and your anus.)

Services

Currently, there is no cure for IC, but medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes and other treatments can help painful bladder syndrome. To get you started on the path to relief, your Aurora doctor will talk with you about your symptoms and give you a physical exam. You’ll then work together on a painful bladder syndrome treatment plan that meets your needs.