Bladder pain syndrome (BPS), previously known as interstitial cystitis, is characterized by pain perceived to be from the bladder, urgency, frequency, and nocturia. Its pathogenesis is largely undefined. The strongest risk factors identified for BPS thus far are syndromes with abdomino-pelvic symptoms—including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic pelvic pain (CPP), and vulvodynia—and other nonurinary conditions, such as fibromyalgia, migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, sicca syndrome (dry eyes and mouth), allergies, asthma, depression, and panic attacks.1-2 Not only are these conditions associated with BPS, they are also associated with one another (if an individual has one, they are more likely to have others).
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