SAN DIEGO — As National Bladder Health Awareness Month approaches in November, urinary health company Uqora is shedding new light on the physical, emotional and financial burden of urinary tract infections (UTIs) through a new consumer survey that examines how women manage and experience the condition.
According to Uqora's UTI Impact Report, nearly half of women are willing to take a proactive approach to urinary health, signaling growing interest in prevention rather than treatment alone. The report found that 48% of women would be willing to use oral supplements or probiotics to support urinary health before problems arise.
“Through Uqora’s UTI Impact Report, we’re raising awareness and understanding of urinary health, ultimately driving a more dynamic urinary health conversation that reflects the way real women are experiencing UTIs today,” said Carrie Schafer, Uqora’s vice president, Commercial.
The findings come as UTIs remain one of the most common health concerns affecting women. More than half of all women will experience a UTI during their lifetime, yet the broader impact on quality of life often goes underreported.
The survey also revealed that many women initially turn to self-care options when symptoms appear. More than half (56%) of respondents said they try an over-the-counter remedy when they first experience UTI symptoms before reaching out to a healthcare provider.
Despite the popularity of nonprescription solutions, medical treatment remains a cornerstone of care. Six in 10 women surveyed reported using prescription medication from a healthcare provider to treat their UTIs.
The data highlights a consumer landscape where prevention, symptom management and prescription treatment frequently overlap. For healthcare providers and women's health advocates, the findings suggest an opportunity to improve education around urinary health while addressing the challenges women face when navigating symptoms, treatment options and recurring infections.
Other key findings:
• At the time of Uqora’s survey, UTI sufferers reported having experienced an average of 7 UTIs.
• 66% of women surveyed have experienced a UTI at some point in their life.
• 32% of UTI sufferers surveyed experience a UTI every 1-6 months.
• 55% of women ranked the emotional impact of UTI symptoms as very to extremely impactful.
• 60% of women use prescription medication from a healthcare provider to treat their UTIs.
Uqora plans to release the full UTI Impact Report ahead of National Bladder Health Awareness Month, providing a deeper look at current attitudes, behaviors and treatment trends related to urinary health among women.
