Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC)

BPS/IC is, unfortunately, a chronic condition that causes pelvic pain and problems when you urinate. It tends to first affect people in their 30s and 40s, and is much more common in women than men. It can have a significant impact on lifestyle, work and relationships – but the good news is a number of different treatments can be tried to help relieve the symptoms.

How many people suffer from BPS/IC?

Due to misdiagnosis of BPS/IC, it’s often hard to estimate the number of people affected by the condition. It can be found globally across all races, however figures vary from study to study depending on the criteria used for diagnosis. It’s more common in women than men and data have shown the risk of BPS/IC increases with age.