What is Painful Bladder Syndrome/ Interstitial Cystitis (PBS-IC)?

Painful Bladder Syndrome / Interstitial Cystitis (PBS-IC), one of the chronic pelvic pain disorders, is a condition resulting in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The disease, which is frequently misdiagnosed, has a significant negative impact on patients’ general lifestyles with frequent need to urinate and chronic pain

What causes PBS-IC?

Its cause is unknown. Unlike “common” cystitis, which are caused by bacteria and are sensitive to antibiotics, PBS-IC is believed not to be caused by bacterial infection and does not respond to conventional antibiotic therapy.

What are the symptoms of PBS-IC?

The characteristic symptoms of PBS-IC are:

• Frequency: Day and/or night frequency of urination (up to over 40 times a day in severe cases). In early or very mild cases, frequency is sometimes the sole symptom.

• Urgency: The sensation of having to urinate immediately, which may also be accompanied by pain, pressure or spasms.

• Pain: Can be in the lower abdominal, urethral or vaginal area. Pain is also frequently associated with sexual intercourse.

Men with PBS-IC may experience testicular, scrotal and/or perineal pain, and painful ejaculation.