Interstitial Cystitis

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Causes and Risk Factors

It may be an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, perhaps following a bladder infection. Spasms of the pelvic floor muscles may also contribute to the symptoms of IC. It is likely that several factors in combination cause the condition.

Other conditions associated with IC include the following:

• Asthma
• Endometriosis
• Food allergies
• Hay fever (pollen allergy)
• Incontinence
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lupus
• Migraine
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sinusitis
• Vulvadynia and vulvar vestibulitis

The connection between IC and these conditions is not understood.

IC may occur following gynecological surgery. Some evidence suggests an increased risk for IC in Jews; and studies of mothers, daughters, and twins who suffer from it suggest a hereditary risk factor.

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