Bladder pain can be very uncomfortable and also make you feel like you need to urinate constantly. Bladder pain can be a symptom of a medical condition such as a bladder infection or bladder stones, or it can occur with no other symptoms (a condition sometimes termed interstitial cystitis). Bladder pain can be treated using pain relief medications or other techniques.
Step 1
Get examined for a urinary tract infection, bladder stones or cancer. These are conditions that your doctor should check you for if you come in with bladder pain, as they require more directed treatment. A bladder infection can be diagnosed by taking a urine sample and bladder stones can be diagnosed using ultrasound. A bladder infection requires antibiotics, whereas bladder stones may need different medication to break up the stones. Cancer can be treated in a number of different ways but requires immediate treatment.
Step 2
Take aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medications, which are all available over the counter, can be used to relieve mild bladder pain not caused by an infection or bladder stones.
Step 3
Take pentosan polysulfate sodium. This is a prescription pain-relieving medication that is activated when it reaches the bladder, where it can reduce pain and inflammation.
Step 4
Have medication injected into your bladder. This treatment is recommended for patients whose bladder pain is not being relieved by oral medications. With this treatment, your doctor will use a small tube to inject medication directly into your bladder. Commonly used medications for this purpose are dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or lidocaine.
Step 5
Receive nerve stimulation. If no other treatments are adequately relieving your bladder pain, your doctor may place several small electrodes on your skin to stimulate the nerves that control your bladder. This electrical stimulation can sometimes relieve bladder pain.
