Bladder pain is also known as Interstitial Cystitis, and sometimes Painful Bladder Syndrome. Pain in the bladder is one of the common symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis. This pain may become more severe when you need to or do urinate. A sharp pain in the urethra is also a possible pain.

A sense of urgency in urination is also a symptom of a bladder problem. While urgency is normal for a person who has waited a long period of time or one who has had a lot of fluids, urgency in unnatural circumstances may be a sign of Interstitial Cystitis.

Frequent urination is a third common symptom of this condition. Most people urinate between four to seven times per day. The need to do so eight or more times per day, without extra fluid intake and without taking any diuretics, may point to Interstitial Cystitis.

In addition to Interstitial Cystitis, other possible causes of bladder pain include: bladder cancer, bowel disorders, endometriosis and infections. A doctor may confirm that a patient has Interstitial Cystitis if other diseases and conditions are ruled out as the cause of the bladder pain.



There are several options for Interstitial Cystitis treatments. Some typical treatment methods include:

Bladder retraining: Training your bladder to hold more urine, or to hold it longer, may get you into the habit of going at a more normal rate.

Bladder stretching: With general anesthesia, a doctor may fill the bladder with liquid to stretch it.

Diet changes: Specific kinds of food and drink may bring back symptoms, so refraining from those may be of benefit to some patients.

Exercise: Physical activity may help a case of Interstitial Cystitis. However, bladder pain may make this a difficult or undesirable task to do.

Oral medicine: Aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen all may be used to help reduce and control mild bladder pain.

Other methods of treatment for bladder pain may be possible. Remember that there are also other potential reasons for the bladder pain aside from Interstitial Cystitis, and a doctor or medical professional can properly diagnose, give treatment and offer advice on an individual's case of bladder pain.

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