Painful bladder is a syndrome of recurring discomfort in the bladder, urethra or the surrounding pelvic region. Symptoms include: urgent or frequent need to urinate; pelvic pressure or pain. Your pain increases as your bladder fills, and decrease as it empties. It may go away for weeks, then return for no apparent reason.
It is important to rule out other causes for your bladder discomfort, or urgency and frequency. Your physician visit will include a detailed history and physical exam. Other testing may include a urine sample, performing a simple bladder-filling study, or looking in the bladder with a camera (cystoscopy.) Following these procedures, your treatment may include bladder retraining, lifestyle changes, physical therapy or medications.