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. Other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, spastic colon, abdominal cramping, hysterectomy, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, hay fever, asthma and food allergies are often associated with interstitial cystitis. These multiple conditions make the diagnosis even more difficult. If a woman is voiding more than 8 times during the day or more than 4 times during the night, IC should be considered especially if there is pain or urgency present.