Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder Pain Syndrome)

Also known as: Interstitial cystitis, Bladder pain syndrome, IC/BPS, Painful bladder syndrome, Chronic pelvic pain (bladder)

Interstitial cystitis, also called bladder pain syndrome, is a chronic condition causing bladder and pelvic pain, urinary urgency and frequency (day and night) in the absence of infection or other clear cause. Diagnosis is by exclusion: urine infections, stones, overactive bladder, endometriosis and, importantly, bladder cancer must be ruled out, especially where there is blood in the urine [1][2]. Management is stepped: education, stress management, dietary trigger avoidance (caffeine, alcohol, acidic and spicy foods), pelvic floor physiotherapy, bladder instillations and oral medicines, with specialist options for refractory cases [1][2][3]. The condition significantly affects quality of life, sleep and mood, and psychological support is part of good care [2][3]. In Chinese medicine it corresponds to chronic Lín Zhèng 淋证 (strangury) patterns: Damp-Heat in the Bladder during flares, Liver Qi stagnation affecting the lower burner, and Spleen-Kidney deficiency in long-standing cases. Acupuncture has some trial evidence for bladder pain and pelvic pain and is used as an adjunct to urological care [4][5].