Although more and more doctors are gaining awareness of interstitial cystitis (IC), this condition often goes undiagnosed for a long time. And it's not uncommon for someone with IC to see several doctors, over the course of many years, before they are actually diagnosed with the condition. That's why it's important to find a doctor in your area who is familiar with IC. Urologists and obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are 2 types of specialists who tend to be most familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of IC due to their specialized clinical experience.

Because the symptoms of IC can be similar to other conditions, it's possible for it to be mistaken for something else. As a result, sometimes patients who have IC receive inappropriate treatment. Also, because it's possible to have IC in addition to another medical condition, such as endometriosis, understanding and communicating all of your symptoms to your doctor is important. Your doctor may evaluate you for other conditions, including bladder cancer.

IC is a chronic condition of the bladder that's characterized by urinary urgency, frequency and pelvic pain. As mentioned, IC has many symptoms that are in common with other conditions, such as: Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP), Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Endometriosis, Overactive Bladder (OAB), and Vulvodynia.

IC Symptom Comparison Chart

Select a condition from the menu below to compare symptoms and to learn more about conditions that are similar to IC.

IC Comparison Chart
Shared Symptoms	Please select a condition	Interstitial Cystitis
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Pain during or after sex
Frequent urination
Painful urination
Waking up to urinate
Pain before menstruation
Other Symptoms
Blood in urine
Vaginal pain
Painful or heavy periods
Painful bowel movements during menstruation

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