7. Interstitial Cystitis

Must not donate if:
a) Under investigation

b) Has an associated condition which would prevent donation

c) Has required catheterisation within the last 7 days.

d) On treatment with Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron)

If investigations are complete, there are no associated conditions or treatments which would prevent donation, symptoms are controlled even if on medication other than Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron), the potential donor has not required catheterisation within the last 7 days and any treatment with Pentosan polysulfate sodium was completed more than seven days ago, accept.

Autoimmune Disease
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Endoscopy
Infection -General
Surgery
Urinary Catheterisation

Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome is a condition which causes chronic or recurrent pain in the bladder and in the pelvic region due to damaged bladder lining or urothelium.

The cause is unknown but may be associated with other conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Autoimmune Disease and Anxiety Disorder
It may also be caused by traumatic injury to the bladder and precipitated by infection.

The diagnosis of IC or PBS is one of exclusion.

Treatment can be through diet modification, bladder training techniques, exercise and stress management. It can include oral medication with analgesics, antidepressants, and Cimetidine. Treatment can also be with Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron) which can be associated with increased bleeding and bruising. The condition can also be treated by interventional methods including catheterisation, surgery and botulinum toxin injections.
Investigation and treatment can involve cystoscopy. Use of neuromodulation techniques with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine does not prevent donation.

Obligatory and discretionary guidance has been added for Infection, including for donors taking antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infection. Relevant links have been included.
For Interstitial Cystitis, Obligatory and Discretionary have been amended to avoid repetition, the relevant links have been updated, and reference to the use of cystoscopy has been added to Additional Information.