Patients who suffer from bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) face many challenges. One of the primary issues is chronic pelvic pain, which can range from mild to severe.

Other symptoms of BPS/IC include frequent urination (especially at night), a persistent urge to urinate, and pain during intercourse. Patients may also experience urinary urgency and frequency, urinary incontinence, and difficulty emptying the bladder.

So how do patients find relief from these complex issues? The causes of BPS/IC remain uncertain, and there's no known cure. The good news is that there are several promising treatment options, including interstitial cystitis nerve blocks. 

The following article is based on a study which addresses the evidences available in the medical literature on the efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) and sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in patients suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS). We will discuss this study to identify the mechanism of action and draw a clear conclusion based on the clinical efficacy of both therapies.

Introduction

The terms interstitial cystitis and bladder pain syndrome are used side by side. IC/BPS is often used like this in the medical world, boasting symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency and bladder pain, pressure and/or discomfort in the absence of other pathological findings. Current management aims to decrease symptoms such as bladder pain and lower urinary tract (LUT) symptoms.

For complicated cases of Interstitial Cystitis, urodynamics testing may be recommended. What is urodynamics and interstitial cystitis? How are urodynamics tests performed, and for whom are they recommended? The answers to these questions will be discussed here.