Diagnosis and Treatment Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

The basic assessment should include a careful history, physical examination, and laboratory examination to rule in symptoms that characterize IC/BPS and rule out other confusable disorders (see text for details). (Clinical Principle)

Baseline voiding symptoms and pain levels should be obtained in order to measure subsequent treatment effects.

Cystoscopy and/or urodynamics should be considered as an aid to diagnosis only for complex presentations; these tests are not necessary for making the diagnosis in uncomplicated presentations.