Bladder Pain

For the past several months, I've been having badder pain. Sexual intercourse is painful and leads to UTI's which I have been having treated.  I don't feel the need to urinate frequently.  It feels like there is somthing in my urethra and it's painful just to sit.  Could this be Interstitial Cystitis.  

[David A Burks, MD]

Hi,
There are a number of problems that can cause bladder/urethral pain and painful intercourse when you don't have a UTI.  Interstitial Cystitis could cause these symptoms.  It's not uncommon for some patients to have a dominant pain component and minimal  frequency.  IC can cause pain with intercourse due to the hypersensitive bladder and urethra.  There is a another disorder called female urethral symdrome.  Its cause is unknown.  Patients have isolated urethral pain/burning with little or no frequency or urgency.  Other more uncommon causes of urethral pain include a urethral diverticulum, or an infected periurethral gland.  You will need to see a Urologist who can sort out what the diagnosis is and institute treatment.  Good Luck.