Introduction and Objectives: Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) is a disorder of the urinary bladder characterized by suprapubic/pelvic pain along with urgency and frequency of urination. PBS/IC occurs primarily in women and symptoms are exacerbated by stress, ovulatory hormones and certain foods. PBS/IC pathogenesis is unknown, but the most consistent findings involve some dysfunction of the bladder glycosaminoglycan (GAG) protective layer and a high number of activated bladder mast cells. There is no curative therapy. Hydrodistension, intravesical administration of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), as well as oral pentosanpolysulfate (PPS), amitriptyline and hydroxyzine have had variable success.
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