Interstitial Cystitis

How is the condition diagnosed?

Diagnosis of interstitial cystitis begins with a medical history and physical exam. The healthcare provider will order tests to rule out other conditions and diseases. These tests may include:

After other conditions have been ruled out, the provider may perform a cystoscopy with bladder distention. This procedure is done under regional or general anesthesia. Water is injected into the bladder. The cystoscope, a thin, lighted tube, is inserted through the genital area into the bladder. The provider can see the inside of the bladder through the tube. If interstitial cystitis is present, the inside of the bladder wall will often show small ulcers. However, these are also seen sometimes in people who do not have any bladder symptoms.