According to the IC Network, approximately 10% of Interstitial Cystitis patients are men but that figure has been disputed. While the illness is mainly regarded as a “women’s disease”, men are afflicted and suffer as well. It is thought that there have been several men diagnosed with chronic prostatitis who in fact have Interstitial Cystitis.
At an IC National Meeting, Dr. Robert Evans, a urologist, shared with other physicians the results of a small study that focused on IC Disease in men. Here is some of what he discovered:
- Men have as much trouble obtaining a proper diagnosis as women, waiting an average of 4.3 years before diagnosis.
- Men have symptoms on average of 3.6 years before diagnosis.
- The average age of onset with men is 48 years old.
- 76% percent of patients were diagnosed with prostatitis, 2% with urethral strictures, 12% with non-specific urethritis, 60% with an enlarged prostate.
- 44% had a transurethreal prostatectomy with no improvement of symptoms.
- 100% were told, at some point in time, that they had a prostate or bladder infection.
Men have symptoms that include urinary frequency, frequency at night, pressure and pain in the bladder, scrotum, perineum and penis. Men can also have reduced urine stream and retain urine.
Diagnosing IC Disease in men is similar to women except with men, the doctor must rule out all diseases/conditions related to the prostate. Men typically have a prostate exam.
