Bladder pain syndrome

Abstract

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a benign condition of chronic bladder pain or discomfort that can significantly disrupt normal daily activities and reduce quality of life. It can be difficult to diagnose as it’s a diagnosis of exclusion and symptoms are vague. Refractory cases are difficult to manage due to poorly understood aetiology and few universally effective treatments. Over the last two decades, there have been important efforts directed at understanding the syndrome's aetiology and therapeutic challenges. This article reviews the current literature on BPS aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options.