title: Frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain: treating the pelvic floor versus the epithelium.
abstract: For years the bladder epithelium has been the focus for diagnosing and treating the frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain of interstitial cystitis. However, many patients have not found symptom relief with these therapies. Pelvic floor dysfunction is often present in these patients, yet it is often untreated. Pelvic floor dysfunction may be related to abuse, past surgeries, or other causes. It is important to look outside of the bladder and explore other causes and treatments for this condition. Pelvic floor therapies should be a first line of treatment for those women with chronic pelvic pain related to pelvic floor dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: 3535 West 13 Mile Road, Suite 438, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA. kmpeters@beaumont.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Donna J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Carrico
mesh_terms: D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D019459:Urothelium