DiagnosisDiagnosis of interstitial cystitis might include: Show
TreatmentNo simple treatment eliminates the signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis, and no one treatment works for everyone. You may need to try various treatments or combinations of treatments before you find an approach that relieves your symptoms. Physical therapyWorking with a physical therapist may relieve pelvic pain associated with muscle tenderness, restrictive connective tissue or muscle abnormalities in your pelvic floor. Oral medicationsCertain medicines that you take by mouth (oral medications) may improve signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis:
Nerve stimulationNerve stimulation techniques include:
Bladder distentionSome people notice a temporary improvement in symptoms after cystoscopy with bladder distention. Bladder distention is the stretching of the bladder with water. If you have long-term improvement, the procedure may be repeated. Botulinum toxin A (Botox) may be injected into the bladder wall during bladder distention. But, this treatment option could lead to not being able to empty your bladder completely when you urinate. You may need to self-catheterize — be able to insert a tube into your own bladder to drain urine — after this treatment. Medications instilled into the bladderIn bladder instillation, your provider places the prescription medication dimethyl sulfoxide (Rimso-50) into your bladder through a thin, flexible tube (catheter) inserted through the urethra. The solution sometimes is mixed with other medications, such as a local anesthetic, and remains in your bladder for about 15 minutes. You urinate to expel the solution. You might receive dimethyl sulfoxide — also called DMSO — treatment weekly for six to eight weeks, and then have maintenance treatments as needed — such as every couple of weeks, for up to one year. Another approach to bladder instillation uses a solution containing the medications lidocaine, sodium bicarbonate, and either pentosan or heparin. SurgeryDoctors rarely use surgery to treat interstitial cystitis because removing the bladder doesn't relieve pain and can lead to other complications. People with severe pain or those whose bladders can hold only very small volumes of urine are possible candidates for surgery, but usually only after other treatments fail and symptoms affect quality of life. Surgical options include:
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful
information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of
email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Lifestyle and home remediesSome people with interstitial cystitis find symptom relief from these strategies:
These self-care measures also may help:
Alternative medicineTwo complementary and alternative therapies show some promise in treating interstitial cystitis:
These treatments have not been well-studied for interstitial cystitis, so be sure to discuss the use of these therapies with your health care provider. Coping and supportInterstitial cystitis can worsen your quality of life. Support from family and friends is important, but because the condition is a urinary problem, you may find the topic difficult to discuss. Find a supportive health care provider who is concerned about your quality of life as well as your condition. Seek someone who will work with you to help relieve your urinary frequency, urgency and bladder pain. You might also benefit from joining a support group. A support group can provide sympathetic listening and useful information. Ask your provider for information on support groups or see the Interstitial Cystitis Association on the web. Preparing for your appointmentYou may be asked to keep a bladder diary for a few days to record information, such as how often you urinate and how much and what kinds of fluid you consume. For more testing, you may be referred to a specialist in urinary disorders (urologist) or urinary disorders in women (urogynecologist). What you can doTo get the most from your visit to your health care provider, prepare in advance:
For interstitial cystitis, some basic questions to ask include:
Make sure that you understand what your provider tells you. Don't hesitate to ask your provider to repeat information or to ask follow-up questions for clarification. What to expect from your providerBe prepared to answer questions from your provider, such as:
Sept. 29, 2021 Which medication is the only oral agent approved for the treatment of interstitial cystitis?Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron), which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for treating interstitial cystitis.
Which medications are used to desensitize pain in the bladder wall?Amitriptyline is the medication most commonly prescribed for interstitial cystitis. Elmiron is the only oral drug approved by the FDA specifically for interstitial cystitis. It improves the bladder lining, making it less leaky and therefore less inflamed and painful. The full effect may take three to six months.
Which medication is beneficial when the patient with a lower urinary tract infection reports severe pain while urinating?Medicines commonly used for simple UTI s include: Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS) Fosfomycin (Monurol) Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid, Furadantin)
Which medication is beneficial for a patient with a urinary tract infection UTI secondary to fungal infection?Fluconazole is the antifungal agent of choice, achieving high urine concentrations with the oral formulation. Rarely, amphotericin B or flucytosine are used. Newer azole agents and echinocandins are not recommended for the treatment of urinary tract infections since they fail to achieve adequate urine concentrations.
|