One in three Europeans unfamiliar with cystitis and UTIs, survey finds

One in three Europeans cannot identify cystitis as a bladder infection, with some mistaking it for conditions such as skin problems or food allergies.

A survey of more than 3,000 adults in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK found 35 per cent could not define the condition.

Awareness was lowest among 18–24 year olds, with only 45 per cent answering correctly.

Prof Gernot Bonkat, chair of the EAU Infections Guidelines Panel, said the consequences are global.

Bonkat said: “Urinary tract infections affect over 400 million people worldwide and cause approximately 240,000 deaths each year, with rising antibiotic resistance making them harder to treat.

“This study shows that raising public awareness, as well as education about symptoms, causes and treatment, is still essential to prevent infections, reduce suffering and slow the spread of resistance. Not every infection needs to be treated with antibiotics — careful use is key to combating resistance.”

The European Association of Urology carried out the research for Urology Week 2025 (22–26 September), which this year focuses on UTIs and cystitis.

Although women are far more likely to develop UTIs, just 51 per cent of respondents recognised this. Almost one in five men wrongly believed men are more commonly affected. Women showed greater awareness, with 63 per cent identifying their higher risk compared with 38 per cent of men.

Knowledge of prevention was limited. While 71 per cent knew that drinking plenty of water helps, only 43 per cent mentioned hygiene measures such as wiping front to back. Just 35 per cent identified urinating after sex as a key prevention method. Seventeen per cent mistakenly thought taking antibiotics without medical advice could prevent UTIs.

Only 21 per cent of respondents identified all three main prevention strategies, while one in six could not name a single one. Women were three times more likely than men to identify all three.

Jane Meijlink, chair of the International Painful Bladder Foundation, said young women were of particular concern.

She said: “Many teenagers today are sexually active without understanding the risks of bladder infections.

“Young women in particular are more vulnerable because of their anatomy, yet too often they think the contraceptive pill protects them from all risks and that condoms are unnecessary.

“We urgently need to address this through school education and social media, otherwise we risk a new generation of young women suffering repeated urinary tract infections and even long-term bladder damage.”

Misunderstandings about antibiotics added to the problem.

While not every UTI requires treatment, 16 per cent believed antibiotics are always needed. Nearly half underestimated or were unaware of the growing difficulty of treatment due to resistance.

Prof Gernot Bonkat, chair of the EAU Infections Guidelines Panel, said the consequences are global.

Bonkat said: “Urinary tract infections affect over 400 million people worldwide and cause approximately 240,000 deaths each year, with rising antibiotic resistance making them harder to treat.

“This study shows that raising public awareness, as well as education about symptoms, causes and treatment, is still essential to prevent infections, reduce suffering and slow the spread of resistance. Not every infection needs to be treated with antibiotics — careful use is key to combating resistance.”

UTIs are the second most common infection after respiratory illnesses.

Around 50 to 60 per cent of women will experience at least one during their lifetime.

They are a major public health concern, with global costs estimated in the billions of euros annually.