Menopause and IC Survey

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* 1. Have you been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome?

Yes

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* 2. At what stage are you in perimenopause or menopause?

I still have regular periods every month

My periods have gotten irregular and I'm having symptoms of perimenopause (hot flashes, anger, crying, etc.)

I haven't had a period in a six or more months

My periods have stopped

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* 3. How did your menopause begin?

Natural aging

Total hysterectomy

Medication induced (i.e. lupron) due to endometriosis

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* 4. What is your age?

18 to 24

25 to 34

35 to 44

45 to 54

55 to 64

65 to 74

75 or older

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* 5. Did your interstitial cystitis symptoms begin before or after menopause?

Before

After

Don't remember

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* 6. Has perimenopause or menopause triggered any of the following symptoms (Select all that apply)

Irritation, burning, itching of vulva or vagina

Urinary Frequency

Urinary Urgency

Urinary Pain

Urethral Discomfort

Urine Incontinence

Pelvic floor weakness/prolapse/cystocele/rectocele

Genital dryness & decreased moisture

Discomfort or pain with sexual activity

Decreased lubrication with sexual activity

Decreased desire, arousal or orgasm

Post coital bleeding

None of the above

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* 7. Have your IC symptoms changed after the onset of perimenopause and/or menopause? If so, how? (select all that apply)

I have more frequency

I have more urgency

I have more pain

I have become incontinent

No change

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* 8. How has your frequency changed with menopause?

I have a mild increase in symptoms

I have a moderate increase in symptoms - I always know where the restrooms are

I have a severe increase in frequency - I am reluctant to leave my house out of fear of not having a restroom available.

No change

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* 9. Has your urgency changed with menopause. Do you find that you must urgently find a restroom more frequently?

I have a mild increase in urgency but it doesn't limit my life. I can still do everything i need to do and am confident that I can hold it until I find a restroom.

I have a moderate increase in symptoms - I go about my daily life but frequently visit the restrooms. I only go to places where I know that restroom access is available.

I have a severe increase in frequency - I am reluctant to leave my house out of fear of not having a restroom available.

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* 10. When "urgency" strikes, are you:

running to the restroom to reduce pain in your bladder?

running to the restroom to avoid being incontinence

both

don't know

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* 11. How has your bladder pain changed?

I have a mild increase in pain

I have a moderate increase in pain - I always know where the restrooms are

I have a severe increase in pain - I am reluctant to leave my house out of fear of not having a restroom available.

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* 12. Are you taking pain medication?

Yes but rarely

Yes, once a month

Yes, once a week

Yes, daily

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* 13. Have you developed any incontinence? (Select all that apply)

No, I have no urine leakage

Rarely. I can usually get to the bathroom in time and don't worry about having an accident.

Occasionally. I always wear a mini pad "just in case" (i.e. after a sneeze, fall or being started)

Frequent. I wear incontinence pads regularly

I have no control over urination.

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* 14. Are you experiencing any urethral symptoms? (select all that apply)

Yes, my urethra is more tender

Yes, my urethra burns more during urination

Yes, my urethra feels like there's always a drop of urine in it

No, my urethra feels fine

Other (please specify)

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* 15. Have you developed any pelvic floor muscle weakness?

Yes, my pelvic floor is weaker and I've developed a mild cystocele or rectocele

Yes, I've developed a significant pelvic floor prolapse

No, my pelvic floor hasn't changed that much

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* 16. Have you noticed an increase in urinary tract infection?

No, I have not had any UTI's recently

Yes, I have had tested positive for infection a few times (1-2 times)

Yes, I have had several infections confirmed by a lab.

Yes, I have chronic UTI's (monthly or more frequent)

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* 17. Have you talked with your urologist or OB-GYN about menopause and how it might be influencing your IC symptoms?

No, I haven't brought it up.

Yes, I brought it up but they didn't think it was important.

Yes, I brought it up. The doctor examined me, found signs of dryness and recommended treatment (i.e. with estrogen or another product)

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* 18. Have you used an estrogen cream to improve vaginal, vulvar or urethral symptoms? Has it helped?

No. I am scared to use an estrogen cream.

No. I have a previous history with cancer and cannot use an estrogen cream/

Yes. I have tried estrogen cream but it burned and chose to stop it.

Yes. I use estrogen cream regularly and it has helped to reduce my symptoms.

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* 19. What kind of hormone therapy (cream or oral medication) have you used?

Premarin Cream

Estrace Cream

Compounded, Preservative Free Estradiol Cream

Oral Estrogen (Premarin or other brand names)

Oral Progesterone

None

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* 20. Has the onset of menopause been easy or difficult for you?

I had no symptoms and barely noticed the change

Easy. I had mild symptoms but it did not disrupt my life

Challenging. I had moderate symptoms that required treatment.

Difficult.My menopause symptoms have been overwhelming and made it difficult to live my life.

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* 21. If you could give any advice to an IC patient facing "The Change," what you would tell them?

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* 22. Please share any stories or anecdotes you have about life with IC and menopause. Has it helped?? Has it hurt?? What treatments did you use? Did they help?

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* 23. Country

USA

Canada

Great Britain

European Union

Asia

Australia/New Zealand

Africa

Latin America