You may suspect Interstitial Cystitis if:
Pain and Pressure
You feel unexplained pain and pressure in the urethra, vagina, area above the pubic bone, inside of the thighs, lower abdomen, lower back, or groin area, in any combination.
Frequent Urination and Urgency
You frequently urinate. (Normally, people urinate an average of 6 to 7 times per day. In the early stages, patients with IC average about 16 times per day, and some urinate as often as 60 times per day.)
You are unable to hold a lot of urine.
You wake more than once a night to urinate.
You may feel the urge to urinate, sometimes even after you've emptied your bladder.
Pain during Intercourse
When sex hurts, relationships may suffer. Even an understanding partner may become frustrated. Therefore, you may wish to speak with your doctor about pain you experience during sex. Here are some measures to discuss with your healthcare professional to see if they are right for you:
- Wash with a warm rinse after sex
- Use a plentiful amount of lubrication (such as K-Y® Brand Liquid or Jelly)
- Use a soothing gel or ice pack on the external genitalia
For men, symptoms may include pain and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis). Women may suffer increased vulvar pain. Both men and women may experience pain in the perineum (space between the vagina or scrotum and the anus) and painful or uncomfortable sex, including intercourse and touching. For some men, ejaculation may be painful.
In addition to looking at these symptoms, it can be important to:
- Test for bacterial urinary tract infections (UTI's), other urological disorders, tumors, and sexually transmitted diseases for some patients
- Talk to your healthcare professional if you have any of these symptoms