Interstitial cystitis (IC), or painful bladder syndrome causes pain in the bladder, urethra, and pelvic region. It is often mistaken for urinary tract infection, but the urine test is normal.
Pain or pressure is experienced during the filling phase of the bladder and may subside after urination.
Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis may include:- Pain in the pelvis.
- Pain in the penis or tip of penis.
- Pain between the scrotum and anus.
- Pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.
- Chronic pelvic pain.
- Pain like a urinary tract infection but without an infection.
- Frequent urination, usually only in tiny amounts.
- Persistent, urgent need to urinate.
- Pain when the bladder is full and relief after emptying the bladder.
- Painful orgasm or ejaculation.
Physiotherapy treatment may include:Physiotherapy:
Patients with IC/BPS often have tenderness and/or pain in the pelvic floor area, and sometimes manual physical therapy can reduce symptoms.
Please do not do any strengthening of your pelvic floor muscle without the supervision of your pelvic floor physiotherapist!
There is evidence that physical therapy exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles do not improve symptoms and often make them worse, so activities such as Kegel exercises are not recommended for patients with IC/BPS.