Uqora Consumer Research Breaks Down Impact of UTIs on Women

Uqora, a dietary supplement brand specializing in supplements designed to support urinary tract health, recently completed a survey of U.S. adults on the impact of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and how empowered they feel to manage a single or recurrent UTI.

According to the results, 66% of women who responded to the survey have experienced a UTI at some point in their life, with 32% of UTI sufferers experiencing it once every 3-6 months. More than half (55%) of women said their UTI symptoms were very or extremely impactful on their emotions.

About half (48%) of women said they’d be willing to use oral supplements or probiotics for proactive urinary health management, and three in four said they’d shop for proactive UTI products in-store, rather than through other channels.

For initial UTI management, many turn to over-the-counter solutions without connecting with their healthcare provider, with 56% first using an over-the-counter product before anything else, and 60% using prescription medication from a healthcare provider to treat their UTIs.

A Significant, Underestimated Burden on Women’s Health

Carrie Schafer, vice president of commercial at Uqora, spoke with Nutraceuticals World about how women are seeking more flexibility in how they manage and prevent UTIs, and what gaps in care the data suggests.

The findings “reinforce a long-standing reality,” Schafer said. “Despite having such a sizeable impact, UTIs are widely overlooked and underdiscussed.”

According to the data, UTIs are a significant and underestimated burden for women. “These repeat infections have a real impact on quality of life, highlighting a need for proactive solutions that empower women to take control of their urinary health. In turn, expanding access to science-backed, proactive solutions presents a key opportunity to support women in navigating their urinary health journeys with confidence,” Schafer said.

With about half of women approaching active UTIs with over-the-counter options, and the other half immediately resorting to prescription antibiotics from healthcare providers, it’s important for the category to offer women a “broader range of solutions and greater flexibility,” Schafer said. “An important opportunity exists to ensure that women have access to the resources, support, and solutions for comprehensive support at every step.”

Overall, Schafer said that while there are some knowledge gaps and unmet needs to address, she was encouraged by how informed and engaged women are in UTI management today compared to years past.

What surprised her most about the findings was the significant impact that UTIs can have on mental well-being, and not just physical symptoms. “Our findings reinforce the importance of a comprehensive approach to urinary health: one that not only addresses physical needs, but also creates opportunities for community, connection, and support. At Uqora, community-building is a key part of that equation, and through our digital support group, the Uqora Collective, more than 39,000 members connect, share experiences, and access trusted resources.”