Interstitial cystitis, or bladder pain syndrome (also IC/BPS), is a chronic condition and diagnosis of exclusion of unknown cause characterized by bladder pain. It may be associated with urinary urgency, urinary frequency, waking at night to urinate (nocturia), and sterile urine cultures. Those with interstitial cystitis may have symptoms that overlap with other urinary bladder disorders such as: urinary tract infection (UTI), overactive bladder, urethritis, urethral syndrome, and prostatitis. IC/BPS can result in quality of life are comparable to that of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic cancer pain, or a patient on kidney dialysis.