Yes, a urologist is the specialist who diagnoses interstitial cystitis (IC) by evaluating your symptoms, medical history, and performing exams like cystoscopy to rule out other conditions, as there's no single definitive test for IC itself. They look for consistent symptoms (pelvic pain, urinary urgency/frequency) and exclude infections, bladder cancer, or other diseases to confirm an IC diagnosis, which guides treatment.
For many people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), an effective treatment plan requires a team approach, including urologists and other physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, dietitians, and counselors.
No specific test exists to diagnose interstitial cystitis; it is often diagnosed after other conditions have been ruled out. Genetic and immune disorders, recurrent bacterial infections, and pelvic floor dysfunction are possible factors that can lead to this condition.
In addition, these mediators cause bladder mucosal irritation, which is responsible for urgency, increased frequency, and dysuria. The systemic release of inflammatory mediators causes low-grade fever.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a condition of the bladder and urethra that affects both men and women. The condition can be diagnosed and treated by a urologist at a urology center near you.
Early identification of IC can be challenging, as the clinical presentation is similar to other common conditions, including recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain (CPP), vulvodynia, and overactive bladder (OAB) (Table 1) [9], [10].
Treating interstitial cystitis
Medicine can also be placed directly into the bladder through a tube. Or you might have a procedure called nerve stimulation. This uses mild electrical pulses to relieve pelvic pain and urinary frequency.
It may feel like a bladder or urinary tract infection, but it's not. It is a feeling of discomfort and pressure in the bladder area that lasts for six weeks or more with no infection or other clear cause. There may also be lower urinary tract symptoms like a regular, urgent need to pass urine.
This study demonstrated that two times as many patients treated with antibiotics for interstitial cystitis reported improvement compared with the placebo group. However, the authors felt that most patients in their study guessed which arm to which they were assigned.
Our previous study showed that the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) may be the etiology for some patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS); hence, the current study aimed to investigate the urinary viral spectrum in patients with IC/BPS and the clinical efficacy of valacyclovir.
A pressure flow study measures how much pressure your bladder needs to urinate and how quickly your urine flows at that pressure. After the cystometric test, you will be asked to empty your bladder while a manometer measures your bladder pressure and flow rate.
The MRI test is being performed to see if the bladder is leaky, which would suggest Interstitial Cystitis (IC). The MRI test involves placing Gadobutrol and Ferumoxytol into the bladder using a sterile catheter, a small hollow tube through which fluids pass.
The Difference Between a UTI and IC
In women who have interstitial cystitis, urine culture results will be negative, meaning that no bacteria are found in the urine as with a urinary tract infection. With IC, women may also experience pain during sexual intercourse, another symptom not commonly associated with a UTI.
What tests do health care professionals use to diagnose IC? Health care professionals may use urinalysis, urine culture, and other tests to help diagnose IC or to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
Women are diagnosed with interstitial cystitis more often than men. Symptoms in men may mimic interstitial cystitis, but they're more often associated with an inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis). Your age. Most people with interstitial cystitis are diagnosed during their 30s or older.
Charlotte McKinney. Whether you know Charlotte McKinney from Baywatch, Dancing With The Stars, or one of her many ad campaigns, what you probably don't know is that she suffers from a chronic bladder condition called interstitial cystitis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), to relieve pain. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or imipramine (Tofranil), to help relax your bladder and block pain.
Some pharmacies offer a cystitis management service. They may be able to give antibiotics if they're needed.
In some cases, all the symptoms of bacterial cystitis may be present yet a urine sample does not indicate the presence of any infection. In these cases, the symptoms of bacterial cystitis can persist even if a course of antibiotics has been prescribed and been unsuccessful.
There isn't a specific test for interstitial cystitis, but our urologists have many diagnostic tools they can use to make a diagnosis. After a physical exam, our physicians may order urinalysis, a biopsy, or a cystoscopy procedure to examine the urethra and the bladder.
About one-third of IC/BPS patients have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a functional bowel disorder in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits.
Herbal teas such as chamomile and mint are usually well tolerated by IC/BPS patients. Keep trying until you find a product you like. Just like coffee or tea, you can add milk and/or sugar to any beverage to improve the taste. You can buy coffee and tea substitutes in health food stores, online, and some supermarkets.
What does the procedure involve? This procedure involves instilling a drug into the bladder to help treat cystitis, due to either repeat urinary tract infection or painful bladder syndrome, with the aim of also improving symptoms such as bladder pain, urinary urgency and frequency.
Cystoscopy with hydrodistention under anesthesia may be necessary when an IC/BPS diagnosis is in doubt and the symptoms are complicated.
If you are having symptoms of interstitial cystitis, it's important to see a board certified urologist before the condition progresses. At Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles, our urology specialists are skilled in diagnosing and treating female urological issues.