Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Support Group

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a urinary bladder disease of unknown cause characterised by pelvic and intense bladder pain, urinary frequency (as often as every 10 minutes), and pain with urination. It is not unusual for patients to experience nocturia and pain with sexual intercourse. IC is also known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS), particularly outside of the USA.

375 Members
1,889 Posts
0 Online
Kidneys & Bladder
/ Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Support Group

period causing flare?

iworry
iworry
I have had my period for the last 8 days (still going strong :/) and I have been having a lot of problems despite eating "properly" (I think). Can periods cause flares? Sometimes I know my pain is coming just from my period, and in those cases plenty of advil and heat can really help, but I am having problems with frequency and urgency a lot this week and pretty severe discomfort that happens and doesn't respond much to the advil. I'm really frustrated and just want to know whats causing this pain! Not sure if I should be worrying about my endo or ic...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Unfortunately yes, hormone fluctuations (ie: Periods) can cause IC flare ups. I am taking a birth control pill and it has lessen the pain, but it has not prevented the flare to occur slightly before and during my period. I am just about in bed all week during my period and I try to drink plenty of water but frankly, I don't want to get up and have to pee !! My husband said that mentality is just plain dumb but I'm sure you''all with IC can understand. Anyway, I hope this helps ease your mind a bit, and just be prepared every month. :(
deleted_user
deleted_user
My IC also acts up during my period. Be careful taking Advil. It's an anti inflammatory drug that is processed through the kidneys. I can't take it at all, only Tylenol. It makes my IC flare bad!!
fibrIC2
fibrIC2
iworry,
Yes, because the bladder and uterus lie so close together, things that affect one can affect the other. Please investigate the things that help both painful periods, and IC. My daughters got help from painful periods with BC pills--myself, I couldn't take them because of side effects. Following the IC diet (found on internet), can help many! Anti-spasmodic meds, Pyridium and Uribel and others, can help. Endo alone is tough to deal with. I hope you do find out the certain cause of your pain--so as to treat it properly. Best wishes.
isabelle1954
isabelle1954
Yes, my period brought out the worst of the pain. Baking soda, the iC diet , and Tylenol with Codeine helped me get through the rough time.isabelle19054
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, I have Endo aswell as IC and my gyno told me that it is linked and very common for it to be worse during your period. I skip my period and I still get all my symptoms. Just unlucky!