Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a condition that causes pain in the bladder and the need to urinate frequently, with urgency. It is a long-term inflammation and swelling of the bladder wall. The inflammation causes the bladder walls to become stiff, meaning it cannot expand as it fills. Symptoms of IC include pain, urgency to urinate, or incontinence.

IC occurs more in women than men. The symptoms can vary in severity, and each case is different. Some people experience only pain, some have more intense urgency that can lead to urinary incontinence.

Unfortunately, what causes IC is not known. Many people think they have a urinary tract infection when they are suffering from IC, but no infection comes up. IC can be more severe for women when they have their period.

The only way to diagnose IC is to see a physician, who will run tests to rule out other conditions. Treatments for Interstitial Cystitis pain include inflating the bladder, bathing bladder with medicine, oral medication, electrical nerve stimulation, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. How to handle IC depends on your symptoms and can be determined by a physician.