As the founder of the very first website built on IC, as well as the very first forum (the ICN Support Forum), I have strong thoughts on the state of IC support online today. In the earliest days, we viewed the internet as a marvelous way of bringing the world's best resources directly into the [...]
Interstitial cystitis / bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is one of the more confusing diagnoses in urology — not because doctors don't understand pain, but because "IC" isn't really one disease. It's an umbrella term for a set of symptoms (pelvic pain, urgency, frequency) that can arise from several different underlying mechanisms: bladder-wall abnormalities like [...]
While we don’t hear much from France with respect to research, their new IC/BPS guidelines add yet more confirmation on the role of phenotypes and how they can be used to create an individualized treatment plan. They take a slightly different approach to the ESSIC and AUA guidelines, demonstrating that while we have clear [...]
SANTA ROSA, Calif. - September 1, 2026. Patient advocates are calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to formally reevaluate Elmiron® (pentosan polysulfate sodium, or PPS), or at minimum adopt stronger prescribing and monitoring requirements, citing a growing body of research linking long-term use of the drug to serious retinal and bowel complications. According [...]
Why, oh why, do some IC patients struggle with depression?? Certainly lack of consistent sleep could be a cause along with intense, persistent pain. Having a doctor tell you that you have an incurable disease (an outdated and incorrect conclusion) is certainly upsetting. But what if there was a physical reason for that depression? Researchers at Duke University [...]
Earlier this year, an IC patient contacted the ICN to rave about a new therapy she was receiving. Known as SofPulse, this FDA approved device delivers gentle pulses of electromagnetic therapy into various parts of the body, where it helps activate the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response. Dr. Ken Peters, Chairman of the urology department [...]
Making the Most of Your Doctor's Appointment If you've lived with IC/BPS for any length of time, you've probably left more than a few doctor's appointments frustrated and wondering if your doctor truly understood—or even cared—about what you were going through. Some doctors aren't particularly interested in IC/BPS. Others may rely on older approaches or [...]
Summer is winding down. The days are getting a little shorter, vacations are coming to an end, and before we know it, we'll be trading swimsuits and sandals for sweaters and boots. But before summer disappears completely, your bladder has a few things it wants you to know. Some of the habits, foods, drinks [...]
We are delighted to announce that the Spring 2026 IC Optimist is now available for our members and for purchase. This is the flagship publication of the ICN, where we share the latest research, feature stories, guest interviews, self-help tips and more. In this issue: Editorial It's hard to imagine someone leaving the USA [...]
Why every diagnosis should begin by ruling out other causes of bladder pain, urgency, and frequency. Before a diagnosis of IC/BPS can be made, physicians should first rule out the many other conditions that can produce similar urinary symptoms. IC/BPS remains a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that other possible causes of bladder pain, urgency, [...]
