Delivering DMSO directly to your bladder may reduce inflammation and possibly prevent muscle contractions that cause frequency, urgency and pain.

CNN: Interstitial cystitis

Pentosan, the drug involved, is not a new medication - it has been used previously in patients with bladder and bowel inflammation, but it has no current pharmaceutical licence in this country.

BBC: CJD treatment battle continues

Cranberry juice is said to alleviate cystitis, a stinging inflammation of the bladder usually caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI).

BBC: Cranberry juice 'not effective' against cystitis

Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men.

CNN: Prostatitis