(240) 786-1001
(240) 786-1001
Appointment

Interstitial Cystitis

What Is Interstitial Cystitis?

As many as 12 million American adults have interstitial cystitis, which causes bladder pain and urinary problems. The condition is often misunderstood or confused with other concerns, like urinary tract infections (UTIs). Seek help from interstitial cystitis experts like the CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center team. The pain management specialists offer a comprehensive approach that relieves your intrusive symptoms and helps stop progression. Offices are in Olney, Rosedale, Hyattsville, Lanham, Gaithersburg, Dundalk, and Baltimore, Maryland.

Get Relief from All Types of Pain

Discover our full spectrum of treatments from joint and back pain to neuropathy and fibromyalgia designed to restore your comfort and mobility.

Request Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is interstitial cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition that causes discomfort in the bladder and pelvic areas. Symptoms can be highly disruptive and could include:
  • Pain in and around the bladder and pelvis
  • Sensation of pelvic pressure
  • Powerful, sudden urges to urinate (urinary urgency)
  • More frequent urination
When you’re tired or stressed, your body experiences pain signals more acutely, leading to more intense symptoms. Some people also experience increased pain after physical intimacy.
Researchers are still looking for the root cause of interstitial cystitis. Many believe that a combination of things causes the condition. These include chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and thinning of the bladder’s protective lining. Other things might also contribute.

Because the cause of interstitial cystitis isn’t definitively known, treatment focuses on symptom relief. Surgery, like bladder reconstruction, is a last resort. Fortunately, many multidisciplinary techniques can help manage your symptoms, including:

Oral medication

Most oral medications target symptoms. Standard medicines include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants, and antihistamines. Elmiron® is another option. It’s the only drug that’s FDA-approved for treating interstitial cystitis. It works by repairing the damaged bladder lining.

Bladder instillations

Bladder instillations involve inserting medication directly into the bladder. You urinate 15 minutes later to flush it out. For example, using a drug called Rimso-50® might reduce inflammation and discomfort while improving blood supply and encouraging healing.

Injections

Injections like hypogastric plexus nerve block and trigger point injections can reduce inflammation and relieve pain for weeks or months.

Distension

Distension is a procedure to stretch the bladder using water. It increases the bladder’s capacity, relieving symptoms like urinary urgency.

Electrical stimulation

Several treatments use electrical pulses to manage symptoms. With a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit, external electrodes deliver low-level pulses to help ease pain. This might also strengthen muscles, reducing urinary frequency.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy strengthens pelvic floor muscles that support your bladder. PT also eases pain by improving hip joint flexibility, improving blood flow, and promoting healing.