IC/BPS – Bladder Health Buying Guide

IC/BPS is a pelvic pain syndrome that can affect men and women of all ages. With symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, pressure, and/or pain, many patients mistakenly assume that they have a UTI when, in fact, pelvic floor injury, neuroinflammation, and even central nervous system sensitivity may be the underlying cause. Today, leading experts acknowledge that there is tremendous diversity in the IC patient population and that a one-treatment-fits-all approach does not work. Today, we use phenotyping to identify the underlying cause of symptoms. If you are newly diagnosed or a grizzled veteran trying to understand why treatments haven’t worked for you, we recommend beginning with IC 101: It’s Not Just A Bladder Disease. 

Recommended Reading

• IC101: It’s Not Just A Bladder Disease – A primer on IC for newly diagnosed patients
• The IC 101 Flare Guide – Covers many different types of flares, including risk factors, triggers and rescue plans
• The IC 101 Diet Guide – Provides comprehensive information and lists of foods and drinks associated with bladder irritation and flares. 
• Breaking Through Chronic Pelvic Pain – Our best resource for anyone struggling with pelvic floor injury and dysfunction. 
• The IC Chef Cookbook – More than 200 bladder-friendly recipes tested by IC patients. 

Neutraceuticals (OTC Supplements)

How to pick a supplement?? It’s all about your phenotype for IC/BPS. Not every patient is the same. In fact, we have several distinct types of patients, including: Hunner’s lesions, bladder wall driven (chemocystitis, estrogen atrophy, chronic  UTI), pelvic floor dysfunction, pudendal neuralgia and widespread pain (central sensitization), each with their own treatment approach. So, depending upon which you have, there may be some logical supplements that you could try.

• Hunner’s Lesions – Lactoferrin is the only supplement that has shown significant success in reducing inflammation and lesions in a 2024 study. It acts by boosting the immune system. Review that research here.
  
• Bladder Wall Driven (Chemical Injury, GSM) – Consider Bladder Builder, Bladder Rest, CystoProtek, Cystomend
• Prevent Recurring UTI – Consider PRVNT 
  
• Bladder Wall Flares – Consider AZO Urinary Pain Relief tablets and/or the soothing effects of AloePath, Marshmallow Root
• Improving Sleep – Consider Rest ZZZ, Relieve R Nighttime Relief
  

Wellness Coaching – If you are newly diagnosed and/or struggling to determine what could be causing your symptoms, you might benefit from personal coaching from one of our IC coaches. ICN Founder & National IC Support Group Leader Jill Heidi Osborne MA can help you understand tests, treatments, how to prevent and/or manage flares and so much more. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.