Interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis or IC is a bladder condition that usually consists of multiple symptoms such as recurring pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region, and an urgent and frequent need to urinate.

Other names for interstitial cystitis include: painful bladder syndrome (PBS), bladder pain syndrome (BPS), and chronic pelvic pain.

Prevalence
Although no numbers are given, the Interstitial Cystitis Association states on their website that a "small subset of interstitial cystitis (IC) patients" also have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Individuals with ME/CFS had a worse prognosis for their IC symptoms, according to a 2013 study of patients with IC.

The International Consensus Criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis list interstitial cystitis as a comorbidity often found in people with ME, and list cystitis as a potential trigger of ME. The Canadian Consensus Criteria for ME/CFS also lists IC as a comorbidity.

Possible causes
No one knows the exact cause of IC. Bladder wall abnormalities exist in people with IC, but it's not clear whether these are the cause of the condition or the result of some other underlying process.

Notable studies

 * 2013, Prognostic factors for recent-onset interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

Learn more

 * Interstitial Cystitis Association