Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Near Lynchburg, VA

Get specialized care to help relieve chronic bladder pain.

What is Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome?

Interstitial cystitis, often called bladder pain syndrome, is a long-lasting condition that brings pain, pressure, and discomfort to the bladder and nearby pelvic area, along with urinary urgency and frequency. Unlike a typical urinary tract infection, it is not caused by bacteria, and symptoms often continue even after standard UTI treatments. People may notice anything from mild irritation to strong, disruptive bladder pain that affects work, sleep, and everyday activities. We actually avoid using the term interstitial cystitis because it originally referred to visible inflammation of the bladder, even though many patients in Lynchburg do not show clear signs of inflammation. Bladder Pain Syndrome is a more accurate name.

This condition can occur in anyone, but it is diagnosed more often in women and in people who have a history of chronic pelvic pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, or other bladder problems. If you notice ongoing bladder pain, pressure, or a constant need to urinate and tests do not show an infection, it is important to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist so you can be evaluated, get answers, and explore treatment options that fit your specific symptoms.

Symptoms of Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis

Symptoms of interstitial cystitis can look different for each person but may include:

Bladder pain, burning or discomfort
Frequent urination, often in small amounts (urinary frequency)
A constant urge to urinate (urinary urgency)
Pelvic pain, pressure, or tenderness

These symptoms may improve at times and then suddenly return or worsen during flare ups, which can make the condition harder to manage and can affect daily comfort and routine activities.

Causes of Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis

The causes of this condition can vary and, in many cases, no clear single cause is found. It may be linked to injury from prior surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, and some studies suggest that changes or oversensitivity in the nerves that carry bladder pain signals play an important role. It is often seen in people who also live with other pelvic pain conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or endometriosis, which may contribute to stronger pain signaling in the pelvis. Around 10 percent of patients in Lynchburg, VA have specific ulcerative lesions in the bladder called Hunner ulcers that can generate symptoms, but in many people we find that the main source is myofascial in nature and related to tension, dysfunction, or trigger points in the pelvic floor muscles.

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What are the Risks of Untreated Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome?

This condition is not life threatening and is not linked to cancer, but leaving interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome untreated can allow symptoms such as bladder pain and urinary urgency to gradually worsen, which can greatly interfere with your quality of life. Over time, bladder discomfort and urinary issues may become more intense and can make simple daily tasks feel difficult or exhausting, while ongoing pain can affect emotional well being and contribute to feelings of stress or anxiety. Getting an early and accurate diagnosis, along with appropriate treatment, is very important because it can help manage or even significantly reduce symptoms and support a better overall quality of life.

What To Expect During Your Appointment

During your appointment, your gynecologist will carefully review your symptoms, perform a pelvic exam, and may order additional tests to rule out other conditions such as bladder cancer or a urinary tract infection.
Treatments for Bladder Pain Syndrome may include:

Medications to reduce bladder pain or inflammation
Bladder instillations (therapy applied directly to the bladder)
Pelvic floor physical therapy

Your gynecologist will partner with you to create a personalized treatment plan that matches your needs and helps you manage your symptoms as comfortably and effectively as possible.

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Why Choose The Center For Advanced Gynecology

The Center for Advanced Gynecology, founded in 2018, is committed to supporting your health with focused expertise in gynecologic care and advanced surgical options when an operation is the best choice.
Our team offers highly specialized, non surgical care for chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, pudendal neuralgia, and complex vaginal, vulvar, and bladder pain.

Since welcoming our first patients, we have also expanded to meet Lynchburg community’s broader needs with routine gynecologic care, cancer screening, Pap smears, menopausal support, evaluation of hormonal imbalances, hormone replacement therapy, breast and contraceptive care, as well as treatment for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Interstitial cystitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs) often feel similar at first because both can cause bladder pain, burning, and an urgent need to urinate. Interstitial cystitis is a long lasting condition that is not caused by bacteria, so it does not improve with standard antibiotics, while UTIs are true bacterial infections in the urinary tract that usually respond to those medications. A gynecologist can sort out the difference by reviewing your symptoms, ordering urine tests, and sometimes performing additional evaluations so that you receive the most appropriate care for what is actually causing your discomfort.

In some patients with interstitial cystitis, the bladder lining can become irritated or inflamed, which increases sensitivity and may trigger pain, especially as the bladder fills and stretches. The bladder wall contains nerves and a muscle layer called the detrusor, and changes in how these nerves send signals or how the muscle functions can add to bladder pain syndrome. Certain treatments aim to calm or protect the bladder lining and support healthier nerve and muscle function, which can lessen irritation and improve symptoms over time.

Painful bladder syndrome, another term often used for interstitial cystitis, can cause a range of symptoms including bladder pain or pressure, a strong or frequent urge to urinate, passing urine many times in a day or night, occasional incontinence, and sometimes a feeling that you cannot fully empty your bladder. These symptoms may be mild or intense and can come in waves, with periods of flare ups and quieter times. If you notice that bladder discomfort or urinary issues are ongoing or keep returning, it is important to see a gynecologist for evaluation and guidance.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, often called TENS, uses gentle electrical currents delivered through small pads placed on the skin to influence how nerves carry pain signals. For people with chronic pelvic or bladder pain, this therapy can interfere with or quiet the pain messages that travel to the brain, which may help reduce the sensation of discomfort. TENS is considered a non invasive option and is often used alongside other therapies as part of a comprehensive plan to manage bladder pain.

There is no clear evidence that interstitial cystitis directly raises the risk of developing bladder cancer. However, because both conditions can cause similar symptoms, such as urinary urgency, frequency, or bladder pain, it is important not to ignore these signs. Your gynecologist may recommend specific tests, such as urine studies or imaging, to rule out bladder cancer and other serious conditions so that you can feel confident about the diagnosis and receive the right treatment.