Bladder pain: Causes, diagnosis and treatment
Written in association with:
Published: 23/03/2021
Edited by: Emma McLeod
Bladder pain is felt in the lower part of the tummy. In people with bladder pain, the pain tends to ease once they have passed urine, but then it returns again as the bladder fills up. This is associated with having to run back and forth to the toilet to pass urine, which can be highly debilitating.
What are the common causes of sudden, acute bladder pain?
Sudden acute (short-lasting) bladder pain is quite unusual. If it does occur, it could be caused by:
A urinary tract infection (UTI) Bladder stones Damage to the bladder from trauma (rare) A blood clot in the bladder caused by bleeding in the bladder or the kidneys (rare)
What are the common causes of long-term bladder pain?
The common causes of long-term bladder pain include:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) Painful bladder syndrome Interstitial cystitis Bladder stones Bladder cancer
When to see a doctor
You should always see a doctor if you experience pain in the lower part of your tummy that does not settle with simple painkillers and instead, continues to gets worse.
How we diagnose the cause of bladder pain
The cause of any bladder pain will be diagnosed by a combination of your doctor taking a history and performing an examination in addition to some tests. These tests might include:
A urine dipstick test A camera inspection of the bladder (cystoscopy) An ultrasound scan of the pelvis
How is bladder pain treated?
Several treatment options are available for patients with painful bladder syndrome.
Initially, we advise patients to avoid things that could irritate the bladder e.g. spicy foods, caffeine and fizzy drinks. You might be offered pain relief, including simple options such as paracetamol anti-inflammatory medication, or other pain relief options in the form of medications that work on nerve endings (such as amitriptyline). Bladder installations using chemicals to coat the bladder lining are also an option. Stretching the bladder under anaesthetic (bladder hydrodistention) can be helpful in some patients; however, the effect is typically short-lived. There are other more invasive treatment options for patients with symptoms that don’t respond to the previous methods. Your specialist will help you decide which the best option for you is.
Do you have bladder pain? Arrange an appointment with one of Top Doctors' expert consultant urologists, today.