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A bladder condition caused by chronic inflammation, interstitial cystitis leads to difficulties with urination.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is an inflammation (irritation with increased presence of immune cells) of the tissues of the bladder wall, with no known infectious (bacterial, viral, or fungal) cause. The condition is identified through a diagnosis of exclusion.

There are about 10-30 cases per 100,000 people. Women are 10 times more likely to be affected than men. The condition is more common in Jewish women and is rare in African-Americans.

IC generally occurs during the third or fourth decades of life. For the average person with interstitial cystitis, there is a 4-year delay between the time the first symptoms occur and the diagnosis. This demonstrates both the difficulty of diagnosis and how infrequently this condition is suspected.

• Urinary frequency (can be as often as 60 or 70 times per day)
• Urinary urgency
• Urinary discomfort (dysuria)
• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

Diagnosis is made by ruling out other causes. Urine analysis, urine culture, and urine cytology tests are essential.

Usually, cystoscopy (endoscopy of bladder) and bladder biopsy are performed. The characteristic finding of interstitial cystitis during cystoscopy is pinpoint bleeding (hemorrhage) in the lining of the bladder. Video urodynamics may also be performed.

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