Abstract
Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic syndrome characterized by irritative voiding symptoms and pelvic pain or discomfort. IC/PBS represents localized bladder pathophysiologic changes and central nervous system upregulation. Patients exhibit bladder hyperalgesia and allodynia. Childhood sexual abuse occurs in up to 27% of females in the United States. Adults with a prior history of abuse or traumatization demonstrate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis abnormalities, similar to IC/PBS patients. Childhood sexual abuse and physical traumatization are associated with subsequent lifelong risks of chronic pain syndromes. IC/PBS patients have increased rates of sexual abuse or physical traumatization histories compared with controls. IC/PBS patients with abuse histories tend to have greater pain intensity and lesser irritative voiding symptoms compared with nonabused IC/PBS patients. This article reviews the relationship between sexual abuse, HPA axis abnormalities, IC/PBS pathophysiology, and the role of sexual abuse on subsequent IC/PBS.
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Mayson, B.E., Teichman, J.M.H. The relationship between sexual abuse and interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Curr Urol Rep 10, 441–447 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-009-0070-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-009-0070-3