Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis

Although there is no cure, treatment for interstitial cystitis 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 for interstitial cystitis may work for time and then lose its effectiveness.

 

Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis: An Introduction

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 awhile 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 Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD