Could you ALSO be suffering from Interstitial Cystitis in the bladder?

Interstitial Cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition characterised by bladder pain, pressure and sometimes chronic pelvic pain. The discomfort ranges from mild to severe and can have a significant impact on one's quality of life. It is can oftenly go unmanaged/unlooked because the symptoms can be very similar to Endometriosis.

Interstitial Cystitis most often affects women and can have a long-lasting impact on quality of life. Although there's no cure - medications and other therapies may offer relief. Unlike a typical urinary tract infection, IC is not caused by bacteria and does not respond to antibiotics.

Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis:

• Chronic pelvic pain: Persistent pain in the bladder, urethra or pelvic area.
• Frequent urination: Urgency and frequent need to urinate, often in small amounts, day and night.
• Painful urination: Discomfort or burning sensation during urination (similar to a urinary tract infection feeling)
• Pain during intercourse: Discomfort or pain during sexual activity.
• Pressure and tenderness: Feeling of bladder fullness, pressure or tenderness.
• Urinary frequency: Needing to urinate more than usual (can up to 60 times a day in severe cases).

How to diagnose Interstitial Cystitis?

IC is diagnosed through a cystoscopy procedure. Cystoscopy is endoscopy of the urinary bladder via the urethra. It is carried out with a cystoscope. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The cystoscope has lenses like a telescope or microscope. The procedure itself will likely have you feeling uncomfortable for the first few days and it should be expected to have blood present during your recovery. 

In most cases this is only a day procedure however depending on the findings and how severe you case is, or if you are having nerve blocks, botox or steroids implanted you may be given the option to stay over night to manage your pain symptoms.

Treatments for Interstitial Cystitis:

• Dietary changes: Avoiding foods and drinks that irritate the bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods and artificial sweeteners.
• Bladder training: Techniques to increase the time between urinations and reduce the frequency.
• Physical therapy: Pelvic floor therapy to relieve pelvic muscle spasms and pain.
• Medications: Oral medications such as Amitriptyline (Endep), Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (Elmiron), Antihistamines or Tricyclic Antidepressants. Each patient will be different in which medication works for you so you may need to try different medications to find the right balance for you.
• Bladder instillations: Direct application of medications (steroids, botox, nerve blocks) into the bladder through a catheter.
• Nerve stimulation: Techniques like sacral nerve stimulation or TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to reduce pain.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgical options may be considered to treat the condition. 

How often is Interstitial Cystitis overlooked because of Endometriosis?

IC is frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed, especially in women who have Endometriosis. This is because the symptoms of IC and Endometriosis often overlap, such as pelvic pain, frequent urination, and pain during intercourse. Since both conditions affect the pelvic region and have similar manifestations, doctors may attribute the symptoms to Endometriosis alone, neglecting the possibility of IC.

If you have Endometriosis and experience bladder pain, frequent urination or other urinary symptoms, it's important to discuss the possibility of Interstitial Cystitis with your healthcare provider. Proper diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life. Don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion from a Urologist if your symptoms persist despite treatment for Endometriosis. Most Gynecologist can preform cystoscopies to diagnose IC, however it is usually best to see a Urologist for long term care.

PLEASE NOTE: The Endo Essentials company takes no responsibility for your diagnosis, tailoring your treatment/plan, we do not claim to be doctors and strongly recommend seeking medical advice from a Health Physician to treat your symptoms. We write these blogs purely based on the evidence provided at the current time and try our best to keep these blogs as up to date as possible.