Interstitial Cystitis Association

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Giving hope to all those living with interstitial cystitis, as well as the healthcare providers and researchers who strive to improve the lives of IC patients

In the News

Webcast this Sunday (8/23) at 1PM ET
There is plenty of room for the webcast -- here's the login information.
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July Cafe ICA Now Available Online
A better future for IC patients is on the way, with a new diagnostic test and more pain control options. Read about these and more exciting developments and learn how to get active for IC on healthcare reform in this month's Cafe ICA.
Read More

APF News: Patent Pending for New Diagnostic Test
A urine test to diagnose IC by has been developed by Sonia L. Planey, PhD, and her team at The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Read More

ICA Update En Route to Members
Your response to the ICA's 2009 Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Survey was overwhelming. Find out what your fellow ICers said helps them and more about the most popular CAM techniques for IC.
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ICA Forum: A to Z on IC
An overview of IC for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Sunday, August 23
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New Pain Medicine for IC: Nucynta
A new opiate pain medicine, tapentadol (Nucynta), is available for IC pain.
Read More

FDA Expresses Concerns about Certain Pain Meds
Patient safety concerns resulted in tightening of regulations on two pain medicines by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Read More

NVA Funds First Vulvodynia Treatment Registry
The NVA awarded Drs. Georgine Lamvu, Denniz Zolnoun and Lori Boardman grants to develop and implement the first-ever Vulvodynia Treatment Registry.
Read More

New Drug Delivery Option
TARIS Biomedical, a new pharmaceutical company, announced plans to develop the lidocaine-releasing intravesical system (LiRIS).
Read More

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Interstitial cystitis (IC) is pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort related to the bladder, typically associated with persistent urge to void or urinary frequency. IC may also be referred to as chronic pelvic pain (CPP), painful bladder syndrome (PBS), or bladder pain syndrome (BPS).

IC can affect women, men, and children of any age, race, or sex. It is most commonly found in women. Three to 8 million women in the United States may have IC. That is about 3 to 6 percent of all US women. Approximately 1.5 million men have IC; however, this estimate is likely below the true prevalence because IC in men may often be mistaken for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Many people with IC experience severe, chronic pain. Some feel like their insides are being cut apart with razor blades. Others compare the pain to red hot pokers stabbing at their pelvic area.

Revised June 19, 2009