Hello and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your query. I can understand your concern, and shall try my best to help you as much as I can. Yes, a swollen urethra can be directly associated with a UTI and/or IC. IC is an infection of the urinary bladder, and although you are on medication, Elmiron only helps in relieving the symptoms of IC, but does not directly treat it. So the maximum effect you may experience is a more tolerable IC. In my opinion, a urine culture and sensitivity investigation will have to be conducted, preferably with an early morning urine sample,which should pick up the infection. As the infection is in the bladder, it is best to look deeper, whereas, in case of a UTI, the infection would be more external and easier to pick up on a simple urine analysis. If the urine culture and sensitivity is also ineffective in reporting an infection, a cystoscopy along with a small tissue sample would be most appropriate in effectively diagnosing and permanently treating this condition. If treated well enough, you should not experience another episode of IC anytime in the future. In the meantime, please consume plenty of water and drink as much cranberry juice (if available) as possible, as this also helps greatly in treating this condition. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a disease/infection free life thereafter. I hope I have succeeded in providing the information you were looking for. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications at: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-shoaib-khan/64581 . I would gladly help you. Best wishes.