IC and endometriosis

Can endometriosis be linked to IC? I am 33 year old female and been battling severe endo and adhesions for 5 years. I have severe endo and adhesions on my bladder and about to have my fourth bladder surgery due to endo and adhesion. This time is my first time I started having blood in my urine. When my bladder is full I am fine but soon as I empty my bladder I am in pain for few mins or so. I have a sharp stabbing pain to a tug. During lap surgery for endometriosis can they tell if I have IC or do they have to do another test? Surgery is scheduled for July. Should I ask to see a urologist,just to be on a safe side or this is mainly related to endo and adhesions? Thanks for your help.

[David A Burks, MD]

Hi,  When it comes to pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis and endometriosis can have very similar symptoms.  Usually the pain/pressure/discomfort in IC is constant and not related to your menstrual cycle like endometriosis is.  If you see gross blood in the urine you clearly need an x-ray of your kidneys if you haven't had one recently, and  a cystoscopy and hydrodistention by a Urologist at the time of your laparoscopy to rule out a bladder problem.  I have seen endometriosis inside the bladder presenting as gross blood in the urine. Patients with IC usually have urinary frequency and urgency as well (which you didn't mention). I have done a number of these combined cases and have found one diagnosis, the other, both or neither.  The two disorders have no know link (other than bad luck getting either).  I hope it's only endometriosis, which is curable. Good Luck    

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