Treatment for this Painful Bladder Condition

Interstitial cystitis is a painful condition affecting the urinary bladder. This chronic condition most commonly affects women. Symptoms include a persistent and urgent need to urinate, frequent urination during day and night, and pelvic pain. Persons affected by this condition may feel the need to urinate more often and in response to smaller volumes of fluid intake. A defect in the protective lining of the bladder, known as the epithelium, may be present in persons with interstitial cystitis. Although the exact cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown, it has been theorized that the cause involves hereditary, autoimmune, or infectious mechanisms.

Pentosan (Elmiron) is the only medication with specific FDA approval for the treatment of interstitial cystitis. This medication may provide pain relief and cause a decrease in urinary frequency. It may take up to several months for persons taking this medication to experience symptom relief. Women who are pregnant should not take this medication. Nonsteriodal pain medications, such as ibuprofen, may help in alleviating the discomfort often associated with interstitial cystitis. Amitriptyline and imipramine (Tofranil) are tricyclic antidepressants which may be prescribed to help relax the bladder and block pain.