Women’s Experiences of Management of Urinary Tract Infections using Complementary and Alternative Medications and Expectations for the Future: A Qualitative Study

Objective Complementary and Alternative medicines (CAMs) are used by women to self-manage and prevent symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). However, health care professionals lack awareness of the extent and nature of CAM usage, or potential effects and interactions with mainstream treatments such as antibiotics. The aim of this study was to explore women’s knowledge of CAMs to prevent and self-manage UTIs, their experiences using them, their attitudes to these products and expectations for the future. Methods A qualitative cross-sectional study was undertaken to explore women’s experiences of using CAMs. Women were recruited from four different settings: General Practitioner Clinics; general Gynaecology clinics; Urogynaecology clinics and social media. Reflexive thematic analysis was completed using Braun and Clarke’s five stage approach. Results Themes around participants knowledge of CAMs and the nature of self-managing UTI were identified, together with justifications for and challenges associated with CAM usage and expectations for UTI management in the future. All participants had tried a range of CAM therapies and/or changed behaviour to self-manage UTIs, with the purpose of avoiding or reducing antibiotic use cited as the main reason for this. Women from the Social Media group had extensive experience of using CAMs, reporting inadequate information from traditional sources and frustration with HCPs about lack of knowledge of CAMs and supposed overuse of antibiotics. Conclusion This study provides a unique insight into women’s perceptions of and experiences using a range of CAMs and provides further justification for research into their role in UTI management.