Diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis

The first step in diagnosing IC is to rule out other conditions that may be causing the symptoms. Other possible causes of the symptoms found in IC include urinary tract or vaginal infections, bladder cancer, endometriosis, sexually transmitted diseases, and kidney stones. Various tests on the patient's urine, bladder and urinary tract may be done.

The most important test to confirm IC is a cystoscopy done under anesthesia. This test uses an instrument called a cystoscope to see inside the bladder. A liquid or gas is used to stretch the bladder. Anesthesia is required because stretching the bladder can be very painful for a person with IC. This test can detect bladder wall inflammation, pinpoint bleeding or ulcers, a thick, stiff bladder wall, and maximum bladder capacity.

Diagnosis of IC is based on:

• the presence of urinary urgency, urinary frequency, or bladder/pelvic pain;

• bladder wall inflammation, including pinpoint bleeding or ulcers, found by cystoscopy;

• the absence of other diseases that could cause the symptoms.