Medical experts have suggested that a history of bladder and bowel dysfunction in childhood predisposes to the development of interstitial cystitis or irritable bowel syndrome in adulthood.

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Interstitial cystitis is a complex, hard-to-diagnose, and difficult-to-treat condition characterized by an inflamed bladder wall, a scarred or stiffened bladder, diminished bladder capacity, and bleeding within the bladder. That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? In layman’s terms, interstitial cystitis involves extremely frequent urination with pelvic pain that worsens when you eat or drink but eases when you urinate. And it means you need treatment.

Interstitial cystitis is more common in women than in men. When it does occur in men, the symptoms often overlap with prostate problems. Most interstitial cystitis patients are diagnosed while in their 40s, but it can happen earlier or later.

Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms: Men vs. Women

One study showed that in women, 81 percent had symptoms by the age of 30, but that a correct diagnosis was often not made until age 40 or later. Twenty-one percent had symptoms before the age of 10. The most frequent misdiagnosis (in 74 percent of the patients) was urinary tract infection.

This suggests a significant knowledge gap among physicians. Making a correct interstitial cystitis diagnosis is easy, according to the authors, if clinicians realize that the disease typically begins with urinary frequency and progresses slowly with intermittent flares.

The exact cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown, but it’s believed something signals the brain that it is time to urinate, even when the bladder is not close to being full. It is possible that there could be a defect in the lining of the bladder.

Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms

The most commonly reported symptom is frequent urination—up to 60 times a day in some cases. The American Urological Association (AUA) says pain is the hallmark symptom, including pressure and discomfort—especially pain that worsens with specific food or drink, or as the bladder fills and gets better with urination.

Other symptoms are chronic pelvic pain, tenderness, and pain during intercourse. Combined, these symptoms can have a profound negative effect on quality of life.

Many interstitial cystitis patients report that certain types of food trigger the symptoms, including citrus foods, chocolate, caffeine, spicy foods, food rich in potassium, and carbonated beverages. Stress can’t cause interstitial cystitis, but it can make it worse.

The diagnosis of interstitial cystitis may require a variety of procedures, including a pelvic exam, urinalysis, potassium sensitivity test, cystoscopy, and in rare cases, biopsy.

Interstitial Cystitis Treatment

Once diagnosed, treatment depends on individual needs. There are things you can do at home to ease the symptoms.

• Adjust your fluid intake—increase it or decrease, depending on your situation.
• Apply heat or cold over the bladder or between the legs.
• Avoid foods that might trigger symptoms. Use an elimination diet to determine triggers.
• Try over-the-counter products, such as nutraceuticals, calcium glycerophosphates (trade name Prelief), or phenazapyridine (Pyridium).
• Consider or try meditation or guided imagery.
• Relax the pelvic floor muscles.
• Modify or stop Kegel exercises, don’t wear tight clothes, and avoid constipation.
• Do not use long-term oral antibiotics or steroids.

Drugs might include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, antihistamines, and pentosan (Elmiron), which is specifically approved for the condition by the FDA.

Other therapies include distention of the bladder, medications placed directly into the bladder, surgery, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Guided imagery and acupuncture have been effective in certain cases.

Tracking how your symptoms change is critical, says the AUA. When a treatment is not working, stop. You and your doctor should decide how long to give a particular treatment. During the process, control the pain

If nothing seems to be working in regard to pain, consider asking for referrals to pain specialists, preferable one who embraces a multidisciplinary approach.