Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common among females in the urology outpatient clinic. Over-the-counter testing and symptom relief products are more commonplace and available. We assess how women manage their UTIs and utilize preventative practices in their daily lives.

This is a cross-sectional study of women 18 years of age or older with a history of UTIs. An anonymous electronic survey was distributed using the ResearchMatchTM database. Women who experienced UTIs during pregnancies were excluded from the study. The questionnaire included 27 multiple-choice questions assessing patients’ history of UTIs, home remedies, and preventative practices. Consent to participate was implied with completion of the survey.

1186 women aged ≥18 completed the survey questionnaire. The majority of respondents (61.9%) are either peri- or post-menopausal. 20.3% of participants reported symptomatic UTIs, while 47% reported a history of asymptomatic bacteriuria. The most common UTI symptoms are urgency (79.8%), dysuria (77.6%) and frequency (74.1%). At onset of symptoms, 56.3% first use home remedies to alleviate symptoms, while 35.3% complete a urine culture. Only 15.7% see a specialist for their UTI symptoms. Cranberry extract (64.3%), increasing fluid intake (83.5%), and phenazopyridine (39.5%) are the most commonly used home practices. Ellura (0.5%) and PRVNT (0.2%) are the least likely to be used. Only 30.6% feel home practices are actually helpful. For UTI prevention, the top daily practices include: increased fluid intake (77.2%) and wiping from front to back (71.2%). Constipation exists in 25.8%, however of these only 31.1% use a daily bowel regimen. 42.1% correlate sex with UTIs. 66.7% use sex toys. Of those, 79.1% associate their sex toy usage with UTIs. However, 57% reported cleaning sex toys prior to and 77.5% after sex. 6.8% use preventative antibiotics and 10.8% use vaginal estrogen for UTI prevention.

UTIs are a common struggle, especially among peri- or post-menopausal women. Only a fraction of women with repeat UTIs see a urologist to help manage their condition. More than half of women will try home remedies before going to see a doctor, though most don’t find these remedies are actually helpful. Constipation is relatively common in this population, yet only a third is actively managing it. In addition, vaginal estrogen, while having been proven to be effective, is used by only 10% of respondents. Despite many women associating sex toy usage with an increased risk of UTIs, a significant number of women do not routinely clean them before or after use. These findings identify clear areas where women could benefit from better support and education to help manage their UTIs.

Women commonly struggle with UTIs. Home remedies are the first course of treatment for most UTI symptoms. A vast majority associate sex and sex toy usage with UTIs. Most peri- and post-menopausal women are not using vaginal estrogen cream for prevention. Urology and urogynecology physicians are infrequently seen for management of UTIs. There is need for improved public education of UTI symptoms, prevention strategies, and importance of correct diagnosis and treatment.