The many causes of pelvic pain make it a difficult diagnosis. The average patient may go as long as 3-4 years with symptoms before the diagnosis is made.
Interstitial cystitis is characterized by urinary frequency, urgency and pain.
The pain can flare-up or go into remission. It usually gets worse around the time of menses. Sexual intercourse makes the pain worse. Patients may void 8 times or more at night and sleep loss may lead to depression. Because the symptoms are similar to an acute bacterial infection, patients have often had multiple treatments with antibiotics when in fact the urine does not show infection at all.