Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis

Although there is no cure for interstitial cystitis, treatment can help improve and control symptoms associated with this bladder condition. Possible treatment options include medications, bladder distention and instillation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, self-help strategies, or surgery. Because patients may have flare-ups and remissions, a particular treatment may work for a while and then lose its effectiveness.

An Introduction to Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis

Since there is no interstitial cystitis cure, treatment is focused on relieving interstitial cystitis symptoms, which is a challenging task because they vary from person to person. People may have flare-ups and remissions, and different patients respond to different forms of treatment.
 
A particular treatment for interstitial cystitis may work for a while and then lose its effectiveness. Sometimes, stress or a change of diet triggers symptoms. Occasionally, interstitial cystitis goes into remission spontaneously.
 
Common treatment options for interstitial cystitis may include:
 
  • Medication, including Elmiron®
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
  • Bladder distention
  • Bladder instillation
  • Self-help strategies
  • Surgery.
     
Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
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