Although the cause is unknown and no treatment is uniformly effective for everyone, many treatments are available and the vast majority of patients obtain relief.
Sexual intercourse can be painful.
Average age of onset is 40. 25 percent are under the age of 30. 90 percent are women, however preliminary studies of men with nonbacterial prostatitis indicate that they may actually have IC, as well. A cystoscopy under general anesthesia is required to make a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. A number of other diseases must be ruled out, such as bladder infection, bladder cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, neurological disorders, kidney disease, and vaginal infections.