Hormones trigger IC Flares...

  The bladder lining can be sensitive to the hormone changes that occur each month during the menstrual cycle. Some patients flare when their progesterone levels are higher, while others flare when their estrogen levels are higher. While some doctors may disagree as to why this occurs, many women struggle with an IC flare on the day that they ovulate and a few days before their period. The good news is that these flares are often predictable and short term. The bladder wall flare strategies can be used. In an article on IC and menopause Gaye Sandler explains why hormones can contribute to bladder symptoms.

She said, “The smooth muscle in the bladder, urethra and vagina lose tone and strength as estrogen levels decline. Because the bladder lining, the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that govern urinary function are all affected by estrogen, the decline of estrogen during peri-menopause and menopause increases sensitivity to pain and susceptibility to bladder problems. When there is a decrease in blood flow and lubrication, the urethral, bladder and vaginal tissue become thinner, drier, less resilient, and more susceptible to inflammation. These various changes also leave the bladder vulnerable to infection and can cause symptoms such as urgency, frequency, burning, and sometimes, mild incontinence.