Illustration of women's health strategy book and notes
Illustration of women's health strategy book and notes
Illustration of women's health strategy book and notes

Women’s Health Strategy

Written by

Kayleigh Maxwell

UTI doesn’t get the attention it needs in new Women’s Health Strategy

The UK government recently published a new Women’s Health Strategy, which aims to shed more light on neglected areas of healthcare. However, some health issues are still underrepresented, including urinary tract infection (UTI). 

UTIs affect more than 400 million people across the world every year, and it’s estimated that up to half of those who experience one UTI will go on to experience more. For some, this develops into recurrent UTI or chronic UTI, a long-term condition that can have a hugely negative effect on quality of life.

People living with debilitating recurring or chronic UTI symptoms are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, struggle to maintain relationships with friends, family and partners, and are less able to go about their day-to-day activities including going to work.

UTIs are also much more common in people going through menopausal changes, and also people who are pregnant. Menopause and pregnancy were two areas of health that were covered in more detail in the Women’s Health Strategy, even though comorbid urogynaecological issues such as UTI were not.

But we recognise that for anyone in those stages of life, UTIs may be a significant worry.

If you would like more information on the connections between UTI, pregnancy, menopause, and mental health, follow the links below:

UTIs and Menopause

Find out about how oestrogen and certain bacteria are involved in the development of UTIs during menopause.

UTIs and Pregnancy

Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in pregnancy and can affect UTI testing and treatment pathways. Click the link to learn more.

UTIs and Mental Health

Check our blog for World Mental Health Day to find tips for taking care of mental health and wellbeing when managing UTI symptoms.

If you are experiencing UTI symptoms, you can take a quick and easy test from the comfort of your home with the TestCard UTI Test Kit. TestCard’s UTI testing solution aims to reduce health inequalities by making healthcare more accessible for anybody experiencing UTI symptoms. 

The test is available at any of these pharmacies: