Interstitial Cystitis Treatment in St. Petersburg, FL
If you’re experiencing regular pelvic pain along with an increase in the need to urinate, it may be interstitial cystitis, a medical condition that affects the bladder and urination. Women’s health expert, Dr. Meena Jain helps women mange symptoms of interstitial cystitis at her gynecology office in St. Petersburg, FL. To schedule a consultation for interstitial cystitis, please call (727) 343-2568 or request an appointment online.
What is interstitial cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis is a medical condition that affects the bladder and causes you to feel bladder pressure and pain that’s sometimes severe.
Under normal circumstances, when your bladder is full, it signals your brain that you need to urinate. With interstitial cystitis, these signals may not work properly, and you may feel the sensation of a full bladder, but only urinate a small amount. Interstitial cystitis is more prevalent in women than men and can have a significant effect on quality of life.
What are the symptoms of interstitial cystitis?
Your symptoms may feel like a urinary tract infection, but you won’t have a positive urine culture.
Common symptoms of interstitial cystitis include:
- Pelvic pain from your vagina to your anus
- Pain when the bladder is full
- Discomfort during intercourse
- Constant sensation that you need to urinate
- Frequent urination, up to 60 times a day
The severity of the symptoms may vary significantly, and you may experience periods in which you have no symptoms.
How is interstitial cystitis treated?
There’s no one effective treatment for interstitial cystitis. Dr. Jain works with you to develop a plan to help minimize your symptoms and improve the quality of your life.
She may recommend medications such as:
- Pain medication
- Antihistamines to reduce urinary urgency
- Antidepressants to relax the bladder
- Pentosan polysulfate sodium is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of interstitial cystitis. How the medication works isn’t quite understood, but researchers believe it may help improve the health of the lining of your bladder to improve your symptoms.
Nerve stimulation to help improve the bladder muscle may also be recommended.
Dr. Jain may also refer you to physical therapy to teach you techniques to help minimize pain and improve strength in the pelvic region.
What can I do at home to help manage symptoms?
You may be able to reduce your symptoms by making modifications to your diet. Certain foods are known to irritate the bladder, and cutting them out may help prevent a flare-up.
Common irritants include:
- Citrus and tomatoes
- Carbonated drinks
- Caffeine
- Foods high in vitamin C
- Artificial sweeteners
- Bladder training, stress reduction, and regular exercise may also help you better manage the condition.
*Individual results may vary
Schedule a Interstitial Cystitis Consultation in St. Petersburg, FL
If you’re experiencing unexplained pelvic pain with urinary urgency, contact Jain Gynecology to discuss your condition and the treatment options available. To schedule a consultation at our gynecology office in St Petersburg, FL, please call (727) 343-2568 or request an appointment online.