Painful Bladder Syndrome in Frisco & Plano, TX

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as “painful bladder syndrome”, is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the bladder wall. Often misdiagnosed as a bladder infection or UTI, patients can go years before receiving the correct diagnosis.  If you’ve sought treatment for recurrent UTIs and the the urine cultures have been negative or the symptoms still persist despite antibiotics,  please contact Dr. Aimee Nguyen at North Dallas Urogynecology in Frisco, TX (also serving Plano, Allen & McKinney) to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.

Some of the symptoms associated with painful bladder syndrome include:

• Unresolved and Constant Pelvic Pain or Pressure
• Urinary Discomfort
• Overactive Bladder (Urinary urgency and frequency)
• Pain During Intercourse

Although the cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown, Dr. Nguyen can determine if you suffer from it with diagnostic testing.

There is no known cure for interstitial cystitis. Dr. Nguyen’s goal during treatment is to relieve the symptoms associated with the condition. There are various treatments to consider and not all patients will respond the same way. Therefore, the patient and Dr. Nguyen will work together to see what works best to provide relief. Some of the nonsurgical treatments include:

Bladder Diet

Foods and drinks, such as alcohol, caffeine, carbonation, spicy foods, chocolate, and acidic fruits, can make the symptoms of IC worse. Patients who are successful in keeping their symptoms to a minimum often follow a strict IC bladder diet

Medications

A prescription medication may be used to treat IC or minimize the pain. Oral drugs such as Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (Elmiron) has been approved by the FDA to treat interstitial cystitis. While this medication offers relief, it does take time for the medication to work. In some patients, it can take up to 3-9 months for one to see relief.

Interstitial cystitis does not cause bladder cancer if it is left untreated. Bladder cancer and IC have many similar symptoms, so patients are often tested for bladder cancer.

Interstitial cystitis is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is not contagious and does not infect a person through sexual intercourse.

There are several treatments available for interstitial cystitis and it may take some time to find the best treatment for each patient. Dr. Nguyen will work with each patient to find which type of treatment or combination of treatments will help provide relief.