What is interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome?

What is IC: Interstitial cystitis ic is a chronic disorder of the lower urinary tract which results in pelvic pain and/or urinary urgency/frequency. Historically, it has been regarded as a rare problem that is difficult to diagnose and treat. Recent studies have shown the disease to be much more prevalent than previously thought.

InterstitialCystitis: Ic is a clinical diagnosis(dx) and a DX of exclusion. This means that if the symptom of pelvic pain, worse with a full bladder and alleviated by bladder emptying, is present, then diagnostics including cystoscopy can be used to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms. If no other causes are found then the diagnoses of ic can be made, even without classic cystoscopic findings.