Are There Stages Of Interstitial Cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a bladder condition characterized by urgency and pain. Inflammation of the bladder’s walls causes it. While unofficial, doctors often refer to stages of IC.

IC is a condition caused by inflammation of the bladder’s walls. It causes the bladder to hold less urine and can result in scarring of the bladder walls.

You might hear doctors discuss interstitial cystitis as mild, moderate, or severe. As stages increase, symptoms can get more intense and occur more often.

What are the stages of interstitial cystitis?

There aren’t official stages of interstitial cystitis. However, you might hear your doctor mention three unofficial stages. These stages are grouped by how severe your symptoms are and how often you have them. Because these stages are based on the symptoms you report to your doctor, it’s important to tell them what you’re experiencing.

Stages include:

• Mild stage: In mild interstitial cystitis, symptoms can come and go. When symptoms such as mild pain appear, you can easily manage it.
• Moderate stage: In moderate-stage interstitial cystitis, stages increase in intensity and frequency. People in this stage experience pain and urinary urgency that can disrupt work and other activities.
• Severe stage: Severe-stage interstitial cystitis causes symptoms that make it difficult to work, sleep, and complete other daily tasks. People in this stage experience severe pain and intense urges to urinate.

Read more about interstitial cystitis .

How does the stage of interstitial cystitis affect treatment?

The stage of your interstitial cystitis might affect the treatments your doctor recommends. For instance, in the mild and moderate stages, medication options might include over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, nerve pain reducers, and medications that can reduce urinary urgency.

In severe interstitial cystitis, medication options might include a specialty pain medication called Elmiron.

Additional treatment options include:

• Early stage: In the early stage, options such as stress reduction practices, pelvic floor physical therapy , staying hydrated, and quitting smoking — if applicable to you — can help manage your symptoms. Your doctor might also ask you to keep a diary of what you eat and drink. This can help you find and eliminate any triggering substances from your diet.
• Moderate stage: In the moderate stage, many of the treatments from the early stage might still be helpful. This stage is when your doctor might recommend treatments called intravesical medicines — intra meaning inside, vesical meaning bladder. They deliver these solutions inside the bladder by a urinary catheter that injects pain relievers or inflamed reducers directly into your bladder. Other treatments at this stage could include counseling and the use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine to relieve pain.
• Severe stage: There are additional options in the severe stage. For instance, your doctor might recommend that you have an electrical implant that can stimulate your bladder wall called a neuromodulation placed. Your doctor may also recommend botox injections to control bladder muscles if noninvasive approaches have failed. If no other treatments have provided sufficient relief, healthcare professionals can perform a procedure called a cystectomy to remove the bladder.

Questions for your doctor

Talking with your doctor can help you understand your diagnosis. If you have interstitial cystitis, it can be a good idea to ask questions such as:

• What are the signs that I have interstitial cystitis?
• What treatments are you recommending?
• What are the side effects and risks of those treatments?
• What is the next step if that treatment doesn’t work?
• Are there other treatment options?
• Are there lifestyle changes I can make that will help?
• Should I see a specialist ?

Frequently asked questions

Does interstitial cystitis get progressively worse?

Interstitial cystitis isn’t typically progressive. The symptoms of the condition can vary. Each person who has interstitial cystitis might experience it differently. Also, symptoms can come and go, causing people to feel like they are improving, but then worsening again.

What is the cycle of interstitial cystitis?

Some people experience interstitial cystitis symptoms that come and go in a cycle. They can feel better and experience times without any symptoms at all. They can then experience a return of symptoms called a flare. Treatment can help manage this cycle.

What is end-stage IC?

End-stage interstitial cystitis is a form of the condition that can develop over time. About 5% of people with interstitial cystitis have end-stage interstitial cystitis. In this stage, the bladder is hardened and holds only a very small amount of urine. People in this stage often experience intense pain.

What do IC flares feel like?

For some people, the symptoms of interstitial cystitis can come and go. Episodes when symptoms return are referred to as a flare. During a flare, you might feel symptoms such as intense pelvic pain and the urge to urinate frequently.

Takeaway

Interstitial cystitis is a condition that causes bladder wall inflammation and leads to symptoms such as pain and urinary frequency. Some people with this condition have mild symptoms, while others have severe symptoms that interrupt their daily lives.

Doctors sometimes classify this difference by splitting interstitial cystitis into stages: mild, moderate, and severe. Treatment options at each stage address symptoms and help manage interstitial cystitis.