Interstitial cystitis can co-occur with endometriosis, a common women’s health issue. Between 3-8 million American women live with interstitial cystitis, also referred to as bladder pain syndrome.
If you live with chronic pelvic pain or urinary frequency or urgency symptoms, call the team at Maiden Lane Medical in Manhattan, NY for expert diagnosis and personalized treatment. Our experts can help you identify the problem and explain whether or not it’s related to endometriosis.
What is Interstitial Cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder health condition that persists for six weeks or more. IC signs vary between patients. Some people experience severe chronic pain, urinary frequency, and urinary tract infection symptoms, while others have much milder experiences.
Some patients even experience signs of sciatica or irritable bowel syndrome with painful bladder syndrome. Women are more likely to experience IC than men.
Causes of Interstitial Cystitis
Physicians and medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause for the condition. However, they have identified several potential contributing factors, such as:
- A defect in the bladder tissue
- Excessive mast cells
- Problems with the pelvic nerves
- Autoimmune disorders
- Genetic factors
IC can also develop after infections, injuries, or sexual trauma.
Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms
Some of the common signs of IC include:
- Pelvic pain
- Frequent and urgent urination
- Pain while the bladder is full and relief after emptying the bladder
- Dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse)
Interstitial cystitis can co-occur with endometriosis, a common women’s health issue. Between 3-8 million American women live with interstitial cystitis, also referred to as bladder pain syndrome.
If you live with chronic pelvic pain or urinary frequency or urgency symptoms, call the team at Maiden Lane Medical in Manhattan, NY for expert diagnosis and personalized treatment. Our experts can help you identify the problem and explain whether or not it’s related to endometriosis.
What is Interstitial Cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder health condition that persists for six weeks or more. IC signs vary between patients. Some people experience severe chronic pain, urinary frequency, and urinary tract infection symptoms, while others have much milder experiences.
Some patients even experience signs of sciatica or irritable bowel syndrome with painful bladder syndrome. Women are more likely to experience IC than men.
Causes of Interstitial Cystitis
Physicians and medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause for the condition. However, they have identified several potential contributing factors, such as:
- A defect in the bladder tissue
- Excessive mast cells
- Problems with the pelvic nerves
- Autoimmune disorders
- Genetic factors
IC can also develop after infections, injuries, or sexual trauma.
Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms
Some of the common signs of IC include:
- Pelvic pain
- Frequent and urgent urination
- Pain while the bladder is full and relief after emptying the bladder
- Dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse)
Find out how our doctors can help you!
Find out how our doctors can help you!
Can Interstitial Cystitis Cause Back and Leg Pain?
Interstitial cystitis may not cause sciatic leg pain, but there are links between them. For example, the conditions cause similar warning signs, such as pelvic pain, lower abdomen pain, and lower back pain. Additionally, endometriosis can contribute to IC and sciatica.
How is Interstitial Cystitis Diagnosed?
The team at Maiden Lane Medical offers comprehensive exams to diagnose IC. After a consultation and exam, your doctor may order additional tests, including a neurological exam, urinalysis, potassium sensitivity tests, urodynamics, and a cystoscopy.
Your physician may also order a biopsy to examine your bladder cells for signs of disease. Often, your samples will be compared to a case-control study with healthy subjects to help identify signs of inflammation or ulceration.
What Are the Treatments for Interstitial Cystitis?
After confirming IC, your physician will recommend different options to relieve your pain and restore your urinary health.
Can Interstitial Cystitis Cause Back and Leg Pain?
Interstitial cystitis may not cause sciatic leg pain, but there are links between them. For example, the conditions cause similar warning signs, such as pelvic pain, lower abdomen pain, and lower back pain. Additionally, endometriosis can contribute to both IC and sciatica.
How is Interstitial Cystitis Diagnosed?
The team at Maiden Lane Medical offers comprehensive exams to diagnose IC. After a consultation and exam, your doctor may order additional tests, including a neurological exam, urinalysis, potassium sensitivity tests, urodynamics, and a cystoscopy.
Your physician may also order a biopsy to examine your bladder cells for signs of disease. Often, your samples will be compared to a case-control study with healthy subjects to help identify signs of inflammation or ulceration.
What Are the Treatments for Interstitial Cystitis?
After confirming IC, your physician will recommend different options to relieve your pain and restore your urinary health.
Your treatments may include stress management, pelvic floor physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.
For example, you may benefit from cutting foods that can irritate your bladder out of your diet. This may include citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, and coffee.
You may also choose to limit or avoid spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
Depending on the root cause of your condition, your doctor may suggest nerve stimulation or Botox to address neurological dysfunction. You may also benefit from medications ranging from antihistamines and anti-inflammatories to antidepressants and immunosuppressants.
In severe cases, you may need surgical procedures to address the underlying cause of IC. For example, Maiden Lane Medical offers state-of-the-art laparoscopic radical resection surgeries to remove endometrial lesions and scar tissue. Your physician may also suggest laser surgery to repair Hunner’s lesions.
When left untreated, the pain caused by IC can negatively impact your quality of life and disrupt your sex life, contributing to depression and other mental health problems.
Schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Medical today if you have any signs of interstitial cystitis or sciatica. Our team in Manhattan, NY offers personalized treatment plans that combine medicine, physical therapy, and surgical procedures to relieve your discomfort and restore your health.
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Your treatments may include stress management, pelvic floor physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.
For example, you may benefit from cutting foods that can irritate your bladder out of your diet. This may include citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, and coffee.
You may also choose to limit or avoid spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
Depending on the root cause of your condition, your doctor may suggest nerve stimulation or Botox to address neurological dysfunction. You may also benefit from medications ranging from antihistamines and anti-inflammatories to antidepressants and immunosuppressants.
In severe cases, you may need surgical procedures to address the underlying cause of IC. For example, Maiden Lane Medical offers state-of-the-art laparoscopic radical resection surgeries to remove endometrial lesions and scar tissue. Your physician may also suggest laser surgery to repair Hunner’s lesions.
When left untreated, the pain caused by IC can negatively impact your quality of life and disrupt your sex life, contributing to depression and other mental health problems.
Schedule an appointment with Maiden Lane Medical today if you have any signs of interstitial cystitis or sciatica. Our team in Manhattan, NY offers personalized treatment plans that combine medicine, physical therapy, and surgical procedures to relieve your discomfort and restore your health.