IC Diet does help patients

[webslave]

In females anyway ... alleviated the symptoms of IC/BPS within 3 months and continued clinical efficacy for at least 1 year.

The following food items were removed from or restricted in the diet of patients: tomatoes, tomato products, soybean, tofu product, spices, excessive potassium, citrus, high-acidity-inducing substances

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28435032

In males:

47.4% reported that the consumption of certain comestibles aggravated their symptoms, with the most aggravating being spicy foods, coffee, hot peppers, alcoholic beverages, tea, and chili.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23978369/

[webslave]

Follow-up:

The following food items were removed from or restricted in the diet of patients: tomatoes, tomato products, soy, tofu product (seasoning was acceptable), spices (pepper, curry powder, mustard, horseradish, etc.), excessive potassium, citrus, high-acidity-inducing substances (caffeine, carbonate, and citric acid), etc

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28740049

Also note that for those with IC-variant pelvic pain, the most effective treatments reported by patients (not trials or studies) are opioids, phenazopyridine, and alkalizing agents (e.g. Prelief, potassium citrate etc), with amitriptyline and antihistamines reported as moderately effective.

[webslave]

I've looked back through the forums and other members have reported flares from:

1. Coffees and Teas
2. Cranberry & Other Fruit Juices
3. Carbonated beverages
4. Tomato Products
5. Multivitamins (esp Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and Vitamin B6) **
6. Tobacco

** - Regarding number 5 above, multivitamins are acidic. Try to obtain low-acid formulations.

Also avoid the preservative sodium benzoate, which many men find irritates the bladder / prostate area.

And think about a gluten free diet:
https://www.ucpps.men/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=9317

[ChgoGuy]

Also avoid sodium benzoate, which many men find irritates the bladder / prostate area.

Is it me, or is sodium benzoate in just about everything today?

[webslave]

One more warning: avoid high salt foods (e.g. sauces, salty soups, commercially packaged foods, cheeses etc). Salt is a known bladder irritant that can exacerbate LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms), cause nocturia and frequent daytime urination.

[GGGOz]

Didn't realize that salt was a potential issue. Thanks for the info. It seems like hardly any seasoning is safe during a flare..

[jtaylor_bat]

I also observed this with salt. Yesterday I had a pretty salty soup and pretty soon afterwards, I felt slight pain at the tip of my penis. Now I know salt could have been the cause of this. Thanks for this tip.