Interstitial Cystitis: When your urinary symptoms are not a UTI!
Do you feel like you keep going to the doctor for a "UTI"?
For your symptoms to only return and you are left in the dark about why they keep recurring.
Well listen up mujeres, it may not even be a UTI at all!!! Yes, you heard me right. In honor of National Bladder Month, I want to talk about a condition called Interstitial Cystitis. It is a condition not many women know about, but it is very important to be aware that it exists and to see if you think you may actually have this condition rather than the easy "Oh it's another UTI."
Here's a typical patient. An upset woman in her 40s comes in to see me complaining that she has been experiencing urinary urgency, frequency and bladder pain over the last 6 months. It occurs sporadically and she keeps getting antibiotics for urinary tract infections but the culture never grows out bacteria. (FYI, if there isn’t a growth of bacteria on the culture that means it is not a UTI.)
Does this picture seem familiar to you?
If so it could mean that you have a completely different disorder called interstitial cystitis!
What is interstitial cystitis?
According to the Interstitial cystitis association, "IC is recurring pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region, often associated with urinary frequency (needing to go often) and urgency (feeling a strong need to go). IC can affect anyone. More than 12 million people in the United States have interstitial cystitis and women make up 3-8 million of that population."
How is interstitial cystitis diagnosed?
Because the symptoms caused by IC are so commonly found in other conditions, all other conditions need to be ruled out before you can be given the diagnosis.
It is a complex condition so don’t just think you have it from reading the post. Currently the official cause is unknown.
Other conditions include those such as an actual UTI, overactive bladder, pelvic nerve problems, or other causes of chronic pelvic pain. More posts on these topics in the future.
What treatments can be offered for interstitial cystitis?
There is no cure for IC but there are many different options for treatment. Most patients who suffer from IC use a combination of treatments such as:
-over the counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen
- bladder pain medications such as Pyridium or Uribel
-antidepressants such as Elavil
-antihistamines such as Claritin
-Elmiron which is the only oral medication that is FDA approved for IC
-bladder instillations which place medication directly into the bladder
-my fav, pelvic floor physical therapy, I’m going to need to dedicate a post on these amazing therapists!
What lifestyle changes you can make to minimize your symptoms?
There are actually some beverages or foods that trigger IC symptoms, but even if these aren’t triggers for you, you can still have IC.
You could consider a diary to record what you ate and when you felt symptoms to see which ones are your triggers. Some include:
-alcohol
-coffee
-tea
-spicy foods
-chocolate
-acidic foods such as orange juice
Other lifestyle changes that can improve your symptoms include exercise, managing stress, and quitting smoking.
IC is a complicated condition and there is so much to learn about it! If you think you may have IC, please see your doctor for further evaluation. It is still important to remember that this is a chronic condition that women live with on a daily basis and there is not a magic cure. It is important to have a positive outlook and learn what works for you and what doesn’t.
Please visit www.ichelp.org for more information.
Now if you do suffer from recurrent UTIs, here some tips to decrease recurrence.
Remember though this does not treat an active infection.
-hydration
-not holding your urine if you have to pee
-Azo Urinary Tract Defense tablets over the counter but the one with methenamine
-D-Mannose capsules which have not been clinically proven but many Urologists believe it helps
-Ellura capsules which contain PAC or proanthocyanidins which are found in cranberries and attach to bacteria so it doesn't attach to your urinary tract wall and cause a UTI!
-Vitamin C
With this being said, you still should be evaluated by your physician for recurrent UTIs to rule out an anatomical source that could be making you more prone to recurrence.
Here to help,
Dr. Erica