More than seven in ten men in the UK do not believe urinary tract infections (UTIs) are painful, despite them causing more than 800,000 hospital admissions across the country between 2018 and 2023.
Urinary tract infections cause an intense burning sensation when urinating and can cause constant pain or pressure in the lower abdomen. If severe or left untreated, they can lead to kidney infections or even sepsis.
And although women are 30 times more likely to suffer from it, men can also develop the nasty infection.
However, 71 percent do not believe UTIs are painful, according to research by medical testing brand Newfoundland Diagnostics.
More than seven in ten men in the UK do not believe that urinary tract infections are painful
Experts say this now leaves women feeling embarrassed about seeking medical treatment for the condition and doubtful that they are potentially “wasting” the NHS’s time.
“Urinary tract infections should not be taken lightly,” explains GP Dr Hilary Jones.
‘While often considered a common infection that disproportionately affects women, if left untreated a UTI can lead to serious kidney infections and even life-threatening blood infections.
“We all need to do more to take even the most common infections seriously, and to be empathetic to the experiences of others.”
The study also showed that 40 percent of women say doctors have accused them of exaggerating the pain of their UTIs.
While women are 30 times more likely to suffer from it, men can also develop unpleasant symptoms.
Although most cases can be treated with antibiotics, some can lead to serious complications.
Older adults are at particular risk of being hospitalized for UTIs and are more likely to experience behavioral changes as a symptom, such as agitation or confusion.
Data from the NHS and the UK Health Security Agency showed there were more than 1.8 million hospital admissions related to UTIs between 2018 and 2023, the majority of which affected patients aged over 65. Some 800,000 were as a direct result of the infection.
As part of its campaign to raise awareness of UTIs, Newfoundland Diagnostics is launching its own self-test kit, which will soon be available in pharmacies across the UK.