Overview

Interstitial cystitis — now known as bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) — is long-term (chronic) discomfort, pain or pressure in your bladder area (suprapubic region). “Interstitial” means it affects the spaces between your tissues or organs. “Cystitis” means inflammation.

If you have IC/BPS, you need to urinate (pee) more often than usual (frequency) and feel like you have to pee right away (urgency).

Other names for interstitial cystitis include:

  • Painful bladder syndrome
  • Frequency-urgency-dysuria syndrome
  • Chronic pelvic pain

What are the types of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome?

There are two types of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome:

  • Ulcerative IC/BPS. Hunner’s ulcers are a type of painful sore that forms on the wall of your bladder. Hunner’s ulcers affect about 5% to 10% of people who have IC/BPS.
  • Non-ulcerative IC/BPS. In non-ulcerative IC/BPS, you have very tiny hemorrhages (glomerulations) on your bladder wall. About 90% of IC/BPS cases are non-ulcerative.
What is stage 4 interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome?

Stage 4 interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is when you have continuing IC/BPS symptoms for over two years. Your bladder tissue becomes very hard and can’t hold as much pee. Stage 4 IC/BPS most commonly affects people who have Hunner’s ulcers.

How common is interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome?

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is common. In the U.S., it affects approximately:

  • 1 to 4 million people assigned male at birth (AMAB)
  • 3 to 8 million people assigned female at birth (AFAB)
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