{"id":25479,"date":"2021-06-04T21:33:51","date_gmt":"2021-06-04T21:33:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/?p=25479"},"modified":"2022-10-26T14:07:06","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T14:07:06","slug":"are-endometriosis-and-interstitial-cystitis-related","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/are-endometriosis-and-interstitial-cystitis-related\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Endometriosis and Interstitial Cystitis Related?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1622842475622{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endometriosis and interstitial cystitis have similar symptoms. Both conditions can be challenging to diagnose, and some patients are misdiagnosed with one, the other, or both.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, studies show that women with endometriosis are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/endometriosisnews.com\/2018\/01\/12\/endometriosis-patients-4-times-as-likely-develop-chronic-bladder-pain-syndrome-interstitial-cystitis-taiwan-study-finds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">up to four times more likely to develop interstitial cystitis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. But what is the connection between these two painful and disruptive conditions?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, let\u2019s review what endometriosis and interstitial cystitis are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endometriosis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a reproductive health issue that causes endometrial tissue to form outside of the uterus, leading to painful adhesions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/interstitial-cystitis-and-sciatica\/\">Interstitial cystitis<\/a> is an immune system dysfunction that denudes the protective coating of the bladder, allowing urine to irritate the bladder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both conditions cause disruptive symptoms, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/services\/pelvic-pain\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pelvic pain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tenderness and trigger points in the abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/services\/pelvic-floor-muscle-spasm\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pelvic floor dysfunction<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain in the <a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/services\/back-pain\/\">low back<\/a>, hips, groin, and tailbone<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/services\/painful-sex\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Painful intercourse<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urinary urgency and <a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/services\/incontinence\/\">incontinence<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The conditions are so similar and co-occur so frequently that you might hear them referred to as the \u201cevil twins\u201d of pelvic pain.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is it challenging to tell the difference between endometriosis and interstitial cystitis?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few reasons why endometriosis and interstitial cystitis are hard to differentiate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Endometriosis and bladder pain<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endometriosis can affect your <a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/services\/bladder-pain\/\">bladder<\/a>, with endometrial adhesions forming on the inner or outer walls of your bladder. The growths swell and bleed, just like the endometrial tissue that lines your uterus, but your bladder and other organs aren\u2019t built to shed those cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This leads to inflammation and scar and adhesion formation. As a result, endometriosis\u2019s effect on the bladder can become quite painful and disruptive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endometriosis can also cause urinary pain, another hallmark sign of interstitial cystitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Your period can make interstitial cystitis worse<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to all this, interstitial cystitis can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/urology\/interstitial-cystitis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flare up around your period<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s tempting to assume that all pelvic pain around your period is due to your menstrual cycle, which can lead to interstitial cystitis going undiagnosed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There may be a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic-network.com\/the-ic-estrogen-connection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">connection between estrogen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at certain points during your cycle and painful inflammation in your bladder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Interstitial cystitis is challenging to diagnose<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diagnosing interstitial cystitis is a process of elimination. Your physician may use urinalysis, physical exams, and voiding diaries to evaluate your bladder health before ordering <a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/services\/ultrasound-testing\/\">ultrasounds<\/a>, cystoscopy, or urodynamic testing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They have to rule out all other issues that could be causing your symptoms before confirming interstitial cystitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>And so is endometriosis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here at Maiden Lane Medical, our endometriosis experts have years of experience in diagnosing and treating endometriosis, so we get to the root cause of your symptoms quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, like interstitial cystitis, there isn\u2019t a single test to confirm your diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With endometriosis, we can use a very well-done history and physicals as well as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/services\/pelvic-ultrasound\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ultrasound<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and MRI, but ultimately, <a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/endometriosis-surgery-why-its-the-best-treatment\/\">laparoscopic surgery<\/a> is the only way to be sure that any abnormal tissue and pain are due to endometriosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Treating endometriosis and interstitial cystitis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With both endometriosis and interstitial cystitis, <a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/tips-for-coping-with-endometriosis-symptoms\/\">lifestyle adjustments<\/a> and medication to ease your symptoms are the first-line treatment approach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many patients find that keeping track of what they eat and drink and comparing it to their interstitial cystitis symptoms helps them identify which foods make their pain more intense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While this is it for interstitial cystitis, we offer state-of-the-art minimally invasive laparoscopic <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">radical resection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> procedures to remove the endometriosis adhesions and scar tissue while leaving your reproductive \u2014 and other pelvic \u2014 organs intact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you live with chronic pelvic pain, whether it\u2019s constant or comes and goes, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/contactus\/\">call Maiden Lane Medical<\/a> or schedule a consultation online<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We want to find and resolve the root cause of your pain and provide lasting relief and improved health.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1661432895477{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"font-size: 22px;\"><strong>Medically Reviewed By<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1661441720100{margin-top: -20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/profile\/kenneth-a-levey-md\/\"><strong>Kenneth Levey, MD MPH FACOG FACS<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Board Certified Gynecologist<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1652286313378{border-bottom-width: 30px !important;background-color: #f0f3f2 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center; color: white;\"><span style=\"color: #3a3a3a;\">Looking for a doctor that specializes in Endometriosis in New York?<\/span><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center; color: white;\"><span style=\"color: #3a3a3a;\">Look no further, contact Maiden Lane Medical today!<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<style type=\"text\/css\">.thegem-button-69cd89eccad7f3471.lazy-loading-before-start-animation .lazy-loading-item {opacity: 0;} body.thegem-effects-disabled .thegem-button-69cd89eccad7f3471.lazy-loading-before-start-animation .lazy-loading-item {opacity: 1;}<\/style><style type=\"text\/css\">.thegem-button-69cd89eccad7f3471 .gem-button svg {fill: #ffffff;}.thegem-button-69cd89eccad7f3471 .gem-button:hover svg {fill: #ffffff;}<\/style><div class=\"gem-button-container gem-button-position-center thegem-button-69cd89eccad7f3471     lazy-loading lazy-loading-before-start-animation\"  ><a class=\"gem-button gem-button-size-medium gem-button-style-flat gem-button-text-weight-normal lazy-loading-item\" data-ll-effect=\"drop-right-without-wrap\" style=\"border-radius: 0px;background-color: #481859;color: #ffffff;\" onmouseleave=\"this.style.backgroundColor='#481859';this.style.color='#ffffff';\" onmouseenter=\"this.style.backgroundColor='#f5c6a2';this.style.color='#ffffff';\" href=\"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/book-your-appointment-today\/\" target=\"_self\">Book Appointment<\/a><\/div> [\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1622842475622{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Endometriosis and interstitial cystitis have similar symptoms. Both conditions can be challenging to diagnose, and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":25294,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Are Endometriosis and Interstitial Cystitis Related? | NYC","_seopress_titles_desc":"Endometriosis and interstitial cystitis have similar symptoms. Some patients are misdiagnosed with one, the other, or both. Read on to learn the differences!","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-25479","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized"},"menu_order":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25479"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25479"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25940,"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25479\/revisions\/25940"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maidenlanemedical.com\/endometriosis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}