1. Urinary Pain and Frequency
If you suffer from interstitial cystitis (IC), you will probably experience what seems like an almost constant need to urinate. Many IC patients report having to urinate up to 60 times in a 24-hour period, which generally means bathroom trips every 10 to 20 minutes during the day and getting up a number of times a night, as well. What's more, the amounts of urine passed are generally quite small, but may accompanied by a great deal of pain and a burning sensation.
2. Pain in the Pelvic Region
In addition to the pain you experience whenever you urinate, you may also experience IC-related pain throughout your pelvic region, as well as pain in your urethral area, abdomen, vulva or penis and scrotum. Intercourse with interstitial cystitis is frequently quite painful, both for male and female sufferers. The pain, as well as the urinary frequency, usually escalates for the first five years of your condition, but after that, it tends to level off and may even go into remission for long periods of time.
3. Lifestyle Complications
Having to live with the near-constant pain of interstitial cystitis, as well as the never-ending need to search for the nearest bathroom, can complicate your life greatly. As an IC patient, you also need to be on guard against "secondary symptoms"--the ones that affect your lifestyle instead of your body. These can include a sense of isolation and a reluctance to participate in any type of social activity or even leave the house, as well as a loss of interest in sex and sleep deprivation resulting from having to wake up numerous times in the night to use the toilet.
Many IC sufferers end up suffering from anxiety and depression that is directly related to having to cope with their disease. If you feel yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, you can find support from fellow interstitial cystitis patients, either in local groups or online communities. You may want to see a therapist; find one who is familiar with IC and is able to work with you to develop a plan for managing your depression and anxiety as they relate to your condition.
