Study: UTIs cause roller coaster of emotional pain and antibiotic overuse

(BPT) – Women are desperate for solutions to their frequent urinary tract infections, and they’re equally tired of the stigma that comes with them, reveals a new national survey.

Key findings of “UTIs: The Burning Truth” by ellura, the urinary tract supplement, found that 3 out of 4 women (76 percent) feel they are judged from others as lacking good hygiene and living a promiscuous lifestyle, common misconceptions attached to UTIs that contribute to emotional trauma, often as frustrating as the physical pain UTIs cause. The truth? Sex is a common risk factor associated with UTIs, but estrogen loss from menopause and various medical conditions also increase risk.

Traditional over-the-counter remedies and behavioral changes like drinking more water, practicing better hygiene and urinating after sex are not sufficiently reducing the number of UTIs women experience, leaving them on a roller coaster of treat and repeat with antibiotics, according to the survey. An alarming 52 percent of respondents said they use “just in case” antibiotics as their go-to for UTI prevention, relying on these pharmaceuticals not just for treatment, but for prophylactic use an average of four times over the previous year.

Of 1,000 women surveyed, 31 percent have gone to more extreme measures and abstained from or limited sex entirely to prevent their UTIs, further highlighting that women will try everything in the book to be rid of UTIs.

“This survey reflects what I hear from patients who feel frustrated that the cycle of UTIs is inevitable, mostly because they are trying many unproven products to reduce these infections with limited success,” notes urologist and ellura medical advisory board chair, Dr. Sophie Fletcher.

So, what do you need to know if you’re a woman with frequent UTIs? You’re far from alone. UTIs represent nearly 25% of all bacterial infections in women worldwide, and account for more than 10 million doctor visits annually.

A few other truths derived from the study:

• Antibiotic overuse is not the answer. The cure is what ails you, according to the survey, as 80 percent of women admit having experienced a negative side effect from taking antibiotics, including yeast infections, digestive and skin issues, and antibiotic resistance — when these drugs no longer work to fight off UTI-causing bacteria. The study found 24 percent of women have experienced antibiotic resistance issues. “Many women have a bad habit of calling their doctor and getting antibiotics before they even know if they have a true culture-proven UTI,” notes Fletcher. “Urinary symptoms, like pain and burning, can often be relieved without antibiotics, which are needed to treat infection, but also can kill the good bacteria in the body.”
• Your emotions are real. Fifty-three percent of study respondents report anxiety related to their UTIs and 33 percent have experienced depression from this often stigmatized health issue. Women over 50 years of age specifically feel judged as having “old age” issues, according to the research.
• More positive dialogue and education is needed. Forty-seven percent of respondents report leaving their doctor’s office with negative emotions, including a sense of hopelessness and a certainty that their UTIs will return, suggesting a need for more meaningful conversations about this stigmatized health issue. “As healthcare providers we can be a valuable resource for UTI prevention and antibiotic education to help women reduce UTIs with fewer antibiotics,” concluded Fletcher.

The nationally representative survey was conducted by Wakefield Research and commissioned by ellura, the medical-grade urinary tract supplement that identified and advanced the science of 36 mg PAC (proanthocyanidins) from cranberry juice concentrate and its role in UTI prevention.

For more about how women really feel about UTIs, visit www.UTIburningtruth.com.