Interstitial cystitis: diagnosis and treatment options.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disease complex characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, and bladder pain without an identifiable cause. Essentially, IC is a diagnosis of exclusion. The lack of knowledge of pathophysiology remains the biggest hurdle in diagnosis and treatment of this puzzling and troublesome disorder. Nevertheless, several recent advances, coupled with increased public awareness of this disease, make it easier for physicians and patients to effectively deal with IC.