Most cases of cystitis clear up on their own or with antibiotics. However, untreated bladder infections can cause kidney infections, which can be serious.
Although cystitis usually clears up on its own or with antibiotics, some people experience almost constant symptoms or recurring episodes. If no cause can be found, and the cystitis doesn't respond to antibiotics, you may have interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis
Interstitial cystitis causes recurring discomfort in the bladder and pelvic area. Like cystitis, it can cause an urgent and frequent need to urinate. Other symptoms, and the level of pain it causes, can vary from person to person.
Some people may find it more painful when their bladder is full, or more painful when they urinate. Women may find the condition more painful during their period.
How common is interstitial cystitis?
In 2004, around 400,000 people in the UK had interstitial cystitis. This is likely to have increased since then.
Over 90 per cent of people with interstitial cystitis are women. On average it is diagnosed at around age 40.
What causes it?
It's not clear what causes interstitial cystitis. Researchers are investigating whether the condition is inherited, or if it is part of a more general condition that causes inflammation and, in some people, affects the bladder.
How is it treated?
Treatment can include:
- medications, including painkillers and antidepressants
- bladder distension – when the bladder is filled with water to increase its volume
- bladder instillation – the bladder is filled with a solution that includes medication to reduce inflammation of the bladder walls
- surgery, if other treatments haven't worked
If you're diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, your GP or healthcare professional will explain the condition and the treatment options in more detail.
Some GPs may use the term 'painful bladder syndrome' (PBS) to describe a condition that causes pain but doesn't meet the criteria to be diagnosed as interstitial cystitis.
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