Funny you should mention about rice. Rice is very alkolizing/ph balancing. So it is likly that one bowl could help. I certainly have experienced the difference.
Acidity is certainly the main irritator in my experience, but you get the diet ph balanced then that just leaves food allergies /toxins that your system does not tolerate.
Hormonal difficulties - I agree there, if the progesterone/estorgen balance is not right that will upset the balance as well.estorgen does play a part in keeping bladder walls strong as well as the womb.