I created this group for those who have been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, Vulvodynia, Lichen Sclerosis, Vulvar Vestiblitis, Endometriosis, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Adhesions, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and all other conditions that cause sexual & pelvic pain or know a loved one who has. If you are looking for a support system, a place to share stories, and an easy way to reach out to those who have been suffering for years and those who are newly diagnosed please feel free to join and network with other patients. I also felt that since IC and many of these other conditions are not as well known and well funded as many other chronic illnesses, this group can be used as a place to share knowledge and inform those who have not yet gotten a diagnosis. In other words, this is for anyone who understands or who is trying to understand IC and other causes of pelvic and sexal pain and anyone just looking for support. Come on in!


WHAT IS IC?

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is an incurable bladder condition that causes pain, frequency, urgency when no bacteria or infection is found through testing. IC can also be referred to as Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome or Painful Bladder Syndrome.


Most people with IC undergo many forms of therapy to help keep their IC symptoms and common triggers in control while some IC patients can go into remission for varying amounts of time.

Many people think that just women can be affected by this condition but the truth is that men, women, and children with no specific age range can all be diagnosed with IC. There are approximately 3 to 8 million women in the US that have IC. The number of men that have it is thought to be less than 1 million. The truth of that number for men is shaky though considering that IC is often misdiagnosed in men as Prostatitis.

TYPES OF IC
There are 2 different known types of IC:

Ulcerative IC - A small percentage of IC patients have Hunner's Patches

Non-Ulcerative IC- This is the most common form. When pictures are taken of the bladder there are glomerulations or small hemmorhages.


IC TRIGGERS
Trauma
Endometriosis
Pudendal Nerve
Myofascial Pain
Lichen Sclerosis
IBS
Bladder Overdistention
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Bacterial Infection
Bacterial Vaginosis
Spinal Cord Trauma
Autoimmune Diseases


There are so many conditions and factors that can trigger symptoms of IC.
IC truly affects every patient differently. While there are some common factors like pain, urgency, and frequency they can also come one or the other, all three, or any variation of the symptoms. Also, not all of the same triggers will cause the same symptoms. All of our bodies handle enviromental factors, food ingredients, sexual intimacy, stress, clothing, etc. differently. What may work for one IC patient to help control the symptoms might make the pain unbearable for the next IC patient.