How is IC treated?
There are treatments available to help ease symptoms. Although many of these options are still being studied, they have shown to help some women feel better. Some of these include: • Bladder distention. The doctor slowly stretches the bladder by filling it with liquid. Doctors are not sure why, but this test eases pain for some patients. • Bladder instillation (a bladder wash or bath). The bladder is filled with a liquid that is held for different periods of time before being emptied. The only drug approved to date by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in bladder instillation is dimethyl sulfoxide. Other drugs for this use are being studied. • Oral medicines. These medicines include a prescription medicine called pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron®), which can help ease symptoms in some patients. Because Elmiron has not been tested in pregnant women, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy, except in severe cases. Other oral medicines used include aspirin and
