Interstitial cystitis
What causes interstitial cystitis?
The exact cause of interstitial cystitis isn't clear. Unlike other types of cystitis , there's no obvious infection in the bladder and antibiotics don't help. In some people with the condition, the bladder is inflamed, ulcerated, scarred or stiff.
There are several theories about the possible cause of the condition, including:
- damage to the bladder lining,which may mean urine canirritate the bladder and surrounding muscles and nerves
- a problem with the pelvic floor muscles(used to control urination)
- your immune system mistakenly attacking your bladder
- an allergic reaction
It's also been suggested that interstitial cystitis may be a symptom of a more widespreadproblem, as it's been associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia , chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) , irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and lupus .
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about interstitial cystitis, a long-term painful bladder condition. Find out what the symptoms are, what might cause it, and what treatments are available.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis
The main symptoms of interstitial cystitis are: intense Pelvic pain (felt below your bellybutton) sudden, strong urges to pee needing to pee more often than normal waking up several times during
When to see your GP
You should see your GP if you have persistent pelvic pain or you notice a change in your usual pattern of urination. These symptoms can have a number of causes, so it's a good idea to get a proper dia
What causes interstitial cystitis?
The exact cause of interstitial cystitis isn't clear. Unlike other types of cystitis , there's no obvious infection in the bladder and antibiotics don't help. In some people with the condition, the b
Treatments for interstitial cystitis
Unfortunately, there's currently no cure for interstitial cystitis and it can be difficult to treat, although a number of treatments can be tried. No single treatment works for everyone, however,and
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