The pain and discomfort of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cystitis could be relieved by a natural preventative being tested in a clinical trial by researchers at Southern Cross University's National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine.
The trial is currently recruiting participants nationally to test whether improvements in bladder and urinary health can prevent chronic UTIs and cystitis. The trial is being conducted online and via telehealth so that it is accessible to as many Australians as possible.
UTIs are caused by an infection of micro-organisms, generally bacteria, in the urinary system. They are a common infection that particularly affects women and older people. If left untreated, there is risk of kidney infection.
Lead investigator and Clinical Research Fellow, Dr Janet Schloss, said the trial will assess whether a combination of natural herbs can prevent UTIs and cystitis from occurring in the first place.
"Recurrent urinary tract infections can have an enormous impact on the physical and psychological health of sufferers," Dr Schloss said.
"Currently, people who suffer from recurrent UTIs and cystitis are often on a merry-go-round of doctor's appointments and antibiotics, and we know that overuse and dependence on antibiotics and antifungals have led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, making the treatment of UTIs increasingly challenging."
In Australia, UTIs result in more than 2.5 million GP appointments, 100,000 ED visits, and 75,000 hospital stays per year, costing $908 million annually , according to One Health Understanding Through Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics Knowledge (OUTBREAK), a research-based network.
The trial aims to test whether Urox, a product currently on the market for over-active bladder syndrome with proven results, could help prevent UTIs and cystitis.
"We know that these herbs can improve overall bladder health and reduce urinary urgency and frequency associated with over-active bladder syndrome," Dr Schloss said.
"We are really excited to see if improving the health of the bladder and urinary system can help prevent chronic urinary tract infections and cystitis. It really could make an enormous difference to so many people."
The clinical trial will assess the product's effectiveness against a placebo taken over a number of months.
In addition to health outcomes, there are also potential environmental benefits. Dr Schloss said Urox has been shown to be effective at reducing the need for adult incontinence pads, therefore fewer pads are going to landfill.
"The fact that we could be helping the environment by reducing pad usage at the same time is a win-win," she said.
How to take part in the study
- More than 200 participants will be recruited into the trial from across Australia.
- Researchers are seeking generally health people aged 18 years and over with recurrent UTIs or cystitis.
- Participants must be willing to take a daily herbal supplement for 6 months and have monthly online telehealth appointments.
- Researchers will collect feedback regarding the effectiveness of the product and consumer satisfaction.
