The doctor must make sure that other diseases are not causing the symptoms. Similar symptoms may be caused by bladder infections, bladder cancer, radiation therapy to the pelvis, nerve problems, systemic diseases, or from drugs and chemicals that may affect the bladder. The doctor usually begins with a general examination, including a pelvic exam and a urinalysis. The urine is almost always normal, showing no evidence of blood or infection. As yet, interstitial cystitis has no cure.
Treatment is aimed at controlling the symptoms.
Sometimes, several treatments may have to be tried before one is found that helps. A treatment that helps one patient may not help another. A variety of drugs are used to treat interstitial cystitis. The latter treatment generally is done in the doctor s office. Relief may last for two weeks or more, and the treatment can be repeated.