Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful condition affecting the bladder and pelvic area. According to the Mayo Clinic, this chronic bladder problem affects more men than women. Interstitial cystitis has several possible causes including an autoimmune condition, a defective bladder lining, allergies, infections and genetics. The signs and symptoms of the condition vary from person to person and at times within the same person. Although the symptoms may change, there are several presenting complaints possible for individuals suffering from interstitial cystitis. The symptoms can come and go or they can be constant.
Pain
A presenting symptom for interstitial cystitis is pain. The pain may be located in the bladder or anywhere in the perineal area, the pelvic area and the lower abdomen. For some, pain increases with the fullness of the bladder. Women may experience pain during sexual intercourse and men may feel pain during ejaculation. The pain varies from a feeling of pressure and mild pain to severe and constant pain.
Frequency
Interstitial cystitis causes a need to urinate frequently. According to the American Urological Association Foundation, an average person urinates seven times or less each day and does not awaken at night to urinate. A person with IC feels the need to urinate more often and may wake up at night to go also. According to the Mayo Clinic, the frequency can increase to 60 times daily. The amount of urine may only be just a few drops each time.
Urgency
Individuals suffering from interstitial cystitis may feel the need to urinate constantly. The person feels the need as urgent and has an inability to wait before relieving themselves. Urgency goes hand in hand with the frequency of urination. Generally, the more frequently a person feels the need to urinate, the more urgent the feeling is. The urge to urinate may never go away for some people.
