Urologists have warned against prolonged or repeated use of antibiotics for persistent urinary symptoms without a confirmed infection, saying some patients may actually have interstitial cystitis, a chronic bladder condition.
A consultant urologist at General Hospital, Suleja, Dr Ibrahim Musa, said some patients with interstitial cystitis underwent repeated treatment for urinary tract infections despite urine tests showing no bacterial infection.
Musa explained that interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, can cause frequent urination, urinary urgency, pelvic discomfort and bladder pain, making it difficult to distinguish from an infection.
He advised people whose urinary symptoms persist despite repeated negative urine tests to consult a urologist for proper assessment instead of continuing antibiotics or engaging in self-medication.
According to him, unnecessary antibiotic use may expose patients to avoidable health risks while failing to address the underlying cause of the symptoms, thereby delaying accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Another urologist at Deje Bala Healthcare Hospital, Dr Grace Okeke, said delayed recognition of interstitial cystitis could have serious consequences for patients’ emotional wellbeing, sleep, work and family life.
Okeke urged Nigerians experiencing persistent urinary urgency, frequent urination or pelvic pain without a confirmed infection to seek specialist care promptly for proper diagnosis and appropriate medical intervention.
She said managing interstitial cystitis may involve dietary adjustments, stress management, bladder training, physiotherapy, medication and other treatments, depending on the severity and needs of patients.
A 38-year-old patient, Amina Suleiman, recounted spending nearly three years receiving treatment for suspected infections before she was correctly diagnosed with interstitial cystitis after specialist evaluation.
“I was treated several times for infection, but my tests kept coming back negative. The pain affected my sleep, work and family life,” she said while recounting her experience.
Suleiman said her condition became more manageable after consulting a urologist, modifying her diet, undergoing pelvic floor therapy and following prescribed treatment recommendations consistently over time.
The experts advised Nigerians not to assume every case of frequent urination or bladder pain is caused by infection, emphasising the need for proper testing before treatment.
They also urged patients to avoid self-medication and repeated antibiotic use when laboratory tests do not confirm infection, stressing that specialist assessment is essential for effective management.
