Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder health issue. Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. The condition is a part of a spectrum of diseases known as painful bladder syndrome.

Symptoms of Interstitial cystitis range from mild to severe. For some patients the symptoms may come and go, and for others they don’t go away. Interstitial cystitis is not an infection, but it may feel like a bladder infection. Women with Interstitial cystitis may feel pain when having sex. Some people with Interstitial cystitis have other health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other pain syndromes.

The symptoms of Interstitial cystitis vary for each patient, but the most common sign is pain often with pressure. Patients with Interstitial cystitis may have bladder pain that gets worse as the bladder fills. Some patients feel pain in other areas in addition to the bladder, such as the urethra, lower abdomen, lower back, or the pelvic or perineal area. Women may feel pain behind the vagina and men may feel the pain behind the scrotum, testicle, or penis. The pain may be constant or may come and go.