In a new study from Cedars-Sinai, researchers found despite the prevalence of the painful condition, women are fearful and frustrated with limited management options.
They found women who participated in the study were critical of healthcare providers for failing to understand their experiences while over-prescribing antibiotics as a treatment option.
To help give voice to those suffering with recurrent urinary tract infections, researchers led a focus group study of 29 women who experienced recurrent UTIs to learn about gaps in their care.
UTIs are infections of any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder or the urethra. The term is most commonly used to describe a bladder infection.
One of the biggest concerns expressed by study participants revolved around the frequent prescribing of antibiotics and fears of the potential adverse and long-term effects of the medication.
The team also reported concern with the medical system and limited research efforts to investigate new non-antibiotic management strategies.
Participants voiced frustration and resentment toward their medical providers for “throwing antibiotics” at them without presenting alternative options for treatment and prevention, and for not understanding their experience.
In addition, many women described seeking advice from herbalists and acupuncture practitioners, as well as from peers in online forums and chatrooms.
Although studies show that antibiotics are often the most effective treatment option for urinary tract infections, research also showed that up to 40% of bladder infections can be cleared with non-prescription steps that can include increased water intake and pain relief medications such as ibuprofen.
Taking these steps when UTI symptoms initially develop and urine test results are pending can be important for avoiding unnecessary antibiotics and ensuring that appropriate antibiotics are prescribed when needed.
Among steps women can take to avoid a urinary tract infection are drinking water, taking cranberry supplements or a low-dose antibiotic after sexual intercourse, and using vaginal estrogen for those who are postmenopausal.
While over-the-counter treatments are preferred by many, the team recommends seeing a doctor if a fever develops or symptoms persist beyond a day, as antibiotic therapy can be crucial for some infections to ensure they don’t spread from the bladder to the kidneys.
Those who experience recurrent urinary tract infections should seek evaluation by a specialist.
Some women will benefit from undergoing a kidney ultrasound or a cystoscopy, which uses a small camera that can be inserted into the urethra to give a view of the urethra and bladder to rule out anatomic abnormalities.
The study recommended that physicians modify management strategies to address women’s concerns and to devote more research to improving non-antibiotic options for prevention and treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections, as well as management strategies that better empower patients.
If you care about urinary tract infections, please read studies about most women get wrong treatment for urinary tract infections and findings of scientists develop new vaccine for urinary tract infections.
For more information about UTIs and your health, please see recent studies about how the body fights off urinary tract infections and results showing that this diet may help lower risk of urinary tract infections.
The study is published in in the Journal of Urology. One author of the study is Victoria Scott, MD.
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