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UTI Clinical Trials and Other Women’s Health Research Opportunities

Have you ever considered participating in research? There are many different types of studies you can join:

Clinical trials for new medications and prevention methods
Scientific research that will help improve the understanding of aspects of female health and illness that are critically under-studied
Online patient surveys aimed at learning more about the patient experience
Patient interviews to deeply explore how illnesses impact quality of life

Some research opportunities are paid, and all of them help the broader community. Sign up to be notified whenever a new study is added to this page.

We also conduct our own research in collaboration with our university partners. If you would like to support this work, you can learn more on our contribute page.

Open Research Studies You Can Join

Smiling woman with glasses standing outside next to sign reading “Join A Recurrent UTI Prevention Study.”.

Researchers at Bonafide Health are looking for women with recurrent UTIs who are interested in joining a clinical study examining the efficacy of FLUSH, a dietary drink mix. FLUSH contains a blend of ingredients designed to alleviate UTI symptoms and stave off repeat infections. The primary ingredient is D-mannose, and the mix also contains vitamins and minerals that have been associated with maintaining urinary tract health, including Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium.

All volunteers will be screened for eligibility before entering the trial. Click here to find out whether you qualify, and how to join the trial.

FLUSH UTI Prevention Trial Information

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You may be eligible to participate if you:

Are a woman aged 18-65.
Currently reside in the United States.
Experience recurrent UTIs* and are otherwise healthy.
Are not currently pregnant and do not plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months.
Are willing and able to agree to the requirements of the study.

FLUSH UTI Prevention Trial Information

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*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

Seven smiling women of diverse ages and ethnicities pose together outdoors with greenery in the background, looking relaxed and happy.

The VESPER trial is comparing two treatments administered directly into the bladder (intravesical treatment) to prevent UTI, against the current recommended treatment approach.

All volunteers will be screened for eligibility before entering the trial. Click here to find out whether you qualify, and how to join the trial.

VESPER Trial Information

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The trial is looking for UK-based, female participants who:?

Are aged 16 years or older
Have experienced:
- Two episodes of symptomatic UTI in the previous 6 months despite treatment with antibiotics, methenamine (antiseptic) or vaginal oestrogen; Or
- At least three episodes of symptomatic UTI treated with antibiotics, in the previous 12 months;
Are able to receive treatments inside their bladder (intravesical) and take second-line oral antibiotics as prophylaxis (preventative);
Are willing to adhere to a 12‐month trial protocol.

VESPER Trial Information

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*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

A diverse group in video call windows surrounds the text: Join a UTI Diagnostics Focus Group. Virtual meeting for UTI study.

This study is being facilitated by Microplate Dx, a company that is currently developing a fast, cost-effective urinary tract infection (UTI) test. The new diagnostic will be used on-site where the patient receives care - for example, at the GP clinic.

We are seeking individuals with lived experience of UTI (personally or as a carer), to help shape the development of this new test, by taking part in one of three focus groups.

The focus group will be held online via a Zoom video call and the anticipated duration is no longer than 90 minutes. Participants will be paid for their time.

Click here to find out how to participate.

Microplate Dx Focus Group Information

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To be part of the study, you must:

Be aged 18 years or older
Be based in the UK (including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
Have experienced at least one UTI in the last 12 months; OR
Be a carer for an individual who experiences recurrent UTI

VESPER Trial Information

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*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

Older woman sitting on steps, holding her lower abdomen in discomfort; text invites to complete a chronic UTIs survey with QR code and logos.

Antibiotic Research UK, in collaboration with Bladder Health UK and The Urology Foundation, are conducting research to identify the top 10 research priorities for people living with chronic and recurrent UTI in the UK.

These priorities will shape the UK’s research agenda, helping funders and scientists focus on the areas that matter the most to the UTI community.

Do you or someone you care for live with a chronic or recurrent UTI? Now’s your chance to make a difference by taking a quick survey.

Take the Antibiotics Research UK Survey

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An older woman sits on steps clutching her stomach in discomfort. Text: Complete our chronic and recurrent UTIs survey; QR code and logos shown.

VESPER Trial Information

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*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

Two people hold hands above text inviting people and partners to join a study on how recurrent UTIs affect sexual wellbeing.

In collaboration with the University of Reading, We’re conducting a research study to explore how UTIs influence sexual wellbeing for individuals and their relationships.

We invite both individuals with rUTIs and their partners to take part. Participants must:

Be diagnosed with recurrent UTIs or have a partner who has a diagnosis
Be in a long-term relationship (including marriage or civil partnerships) for at least 12 months with one or more partner (s)
Be aged 18 or older and fluent in English

Each participant will complete an initial survey and a follow-up survey, to be conducted at a period of rUTI episode and non-episode. Each survey should not take more than 30 minutes.

Click here to find out whether you qualify, and how to join the trial.

Apply for the Sexual Wellbeing Study

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Apply for the Sexual Wellbeing Study

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*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

Researchers are seeking participants for a study exploring treatment preferences in locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC).

Take the short screening questionnaire to assess your eligibility. The research team will then get in touch with you to provide further information.

Apply for the Bladder Cancer Study

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There are two options for participation:

A remunerated patient representative role for a la/mUC steering committee.
A compensated online survey that takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Who can participate?

Participants in Australia, South Korea or Taiwan
Those with experience of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC)

Apply for the Sexual Wellbeing Study

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*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

Dr. Philippe Zimmern is currently recruiting for three different UTI studies:

Genitourinary Microbiome Study in Women – see study information here
Hiprex Study – see study information here
D-mannose Study – see more study information here

All volunteers will be screened for eligibility before entering any of the studies. Enrolled participants will be compensated for any research visits during the study.

How can you get involved?

Learn more about the studies by reading the flyers at the links above. The study coordinator, Melissa Ramos, is available at the number listed on the flyers: 214-645-8787.

*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

Previous Studies That Are Now Closed

Two pill bottles: GEPOCIDACIN (study medicine) with white capsules, and NITROFURANTOIN (current medicine) with yellow-red capsules.

The potential new UTI antibiotic being studied is called gepotidacin. The study will assess the safety of this new investigational medicine, and how it compares to current UTI treatment.

In order to do this, gepotidacin will be compared to nitrofurantoin, an antibiotic that is commonly used to treat UTI.

Those who experience recurrent or chronic urinary tract infection with episodic symptoms (with symptom-free days between UTI episodes) and who are not currently experiencing symptoms may still be eligible for the study during a future episode of UTI symptoms. Additional information can be found below.

If you are aged 18 or over, assigned female at birth, and living in the UK, please get involved and sign up to the study.

The study is looking for US-based participants who match the following criteria:

Female participants aged 12 years or older, who:
- Are not pregnant;
- Have no known anatomical abnormalities within the urinary tract; and
- Have experienced signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection in the last 96 hours

This study is now closed

*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

Seven smiling women pose closely outdoors for a selfie in natural daylight, enjoying each other's company.

Do you know someone who never (or rarely) gets UTIs? They can help with important research that aims to help close the gender gap in urinary health.

Participants will help researchers gain a better understanding of what organisms are present in a healthy female urogenital biome and how this might differ between age groups.

Those who join the study will be asked to provide a single urine sample, a vaginal pH test, and two vaginal swab samples, and will have access to an individualised report outlining organisms found in each.

This study has now closed.

This research is a collaboration between Live UTI Free, University of Reading and Digital Microbiology, a non-profit research lab based in the UK.

If you are aged 18 or over, assigned female at birth, and living in the UK, please get involved and sign up to the study.

This study is now closed

*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

In 2014, it was discovered that urine is not sterile, meaning that multiple living organisms reside in the bladder of most, if not all, people. However, the urinary microbiome is still poorly understood, particularly the way in which it is related to urinary symptoms experienced by people with recurrent UTI.

The purpose of the study is to better understand what organisms are present in the urinary microbiome in participants with recurrent urinary tract infection compared to participants who do not experience urinary symptoms.

This study has now closed.

Graphic with text: Special Announcement—Groundbreaking recurrent UTI Study! Join Now. Photos of a man and woman on yellow-white background.

This study will have three different groups of participants:

Control group – healthy participants who do not experience recurrent or chronic UTI
Cross-sectional – participants who do experience recurrent UTI
Longitudinal group – participants who do experience recurrent or chronic UTI and are willing to participate for an extended timeframe

This study is now closed

*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.

The Global UTI Project is the largest scale study of its kind ever to be undertaken, and our hope is to reach thousands of those who live with recurrent and chronic UTI.

The Global UTI Project is a collaboration between Live UTI Free, Chronic UTI Australia, CUTIC (UK) and Let's Talk UTI (US), which form the Alliance for Patient-centred UTI Research (APUR).

The goal of the Global UTI Project is to capture patient experiences from all over the world, and demonstrate the widespread nature of the problem. Our aims are to:

Improve the understanding of recurrent and chronic UTI
Provide insights into the similarities and differences in patient experiences across different regions
Highlight the impact on quality of life associated with recurrent and chronic UTI

This study has now closed.

This study is now closed

*Recurrent UTI is defined as experiencing 2 or more UTIs in the last 6 months OR 3 or more UTIs in the last 12 months.