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.
Sign Up For Research Opportunities
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
This trial is investigating whether 12-week courses of higher-dose antibiotics combined with methenamine hippurate (a urinary antiseptic) are more effective than standard-of-care treatments for chronic UTI in reducing infection levels and symptoms. This trial aims to recruit females aged 18 and over who have experienced chronic UTI symptoms that occur continuously every day for at least three months. Read the lay summary here or visit the trial page here.
The trial is currently open at the following hospital:
- Whittington Hospital, London (Prof Rajvinder Khasriya and Dr Kiren Gill)
- Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne (Prof Chris Harding)
The trial is expected to open at the following trial locations within the next few months:
- University College London Hospital, London (Dr Anthony Kupelian)
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are a female aged 18 years or older.
- Currently reside in the United Kingdom.
- Experience UTI where symptoms are continuous and have occurred every day for at least 3 months.
Contact the Trial Team
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.
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.
*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 collaboration with the University of Reading, We’re conducting a research study to explore how UTIs influence sexual wellbeing for individuals who are not in long-term relationships.
We invite individuals with UTIs to take part. Participants must:
- Be diagnosed with recurrent UTIs
- Not be in a long-term relationship
- Be aged 18 or older and fluent in English
Each participant will complete two online surveys: one to be completed while experiencing UTI symptoms, and the other when symptoms are not present. Each survey should not take more than 30 minutes.
Click here to find out whether you qualify, and how to join the trial.
*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 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 UTIs 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.
*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
Uqora has released a new dietary drink mix designed to help prevent UTIs by combining D-mannose, cranberry, vitamins, and minerals. Researchers at Uqora and Bonafide Health are looking for women with recurrent UTIs who are interested in joining a clinical study examining the efficacy of the new drink mix, Flush Advanced+. Participation in the study can be completed from home.
The study has now closed
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are a woman aged 18-75.
- 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.
*Participants must provide proof of 2 or more symptomatic, culture-confirmed UTIs from the 6 months prior to enrollment.
The Live UTI Free research team is working with health psychology researchers at the University of Reading to develop and validate two new patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI):
- Recurrent UTI Symptom Scale – Diary Version
- Recurrent UTI Symptom Scale for Older Adults
Clinicians will be asked to complete two online surveys (each taking roughly 30 minutes):
- Survey 1: Rate and comment on questionnaire items for clarity and relevance
- Survey 2 (after 28 days): Review your previous answers together with the group summary and median rating obtained from all the expert participants. You will have the opportunity to retain or adjust your ratings.
We are looking for input from clinicians across different specialties and levels of care.
This study has 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 study is investigating a new vaccine designed to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by E. coli, a bacterium commonly responsible for these infections. The trial will evaluate the vaccine’s efficacy and safety by comparing the health outcomes (including rates of UTIs and side effects) over one year between participants who receive the new vaccine and those who do not receive any form of vaccination.
All volunteers will be screened for eligibility before entering the study. Click here to find out whether you qualify, and how to join the study.
This study has now closed.
The study is looking for participants based in the United States, Argentina, Belgium, South Africa, and Spain who match the following criteria:
- Female participants aged 18-64 years, who:
- Are not pregnant or lactating;
- Have had at least one diagnosed E. coli urinary tract infection (UTI) confirmed by a urine culture test in the past 12 months;
- Do not have a history of complicated UTIs or UTIs that have been linked to physiological or anatomical abnormalities within the urinary tract (see more information about this criterion below);
- Have not previously been administered a vaccine or immunostimulant targeting recurrent UTIs; and
- Are not taking preventative medication and treatments for recurrent UTIs (for example antibiotics, methenamine (Hiprex), D-mannose)*
This study has now closed.
*Additional information provided on the study page.
This study aims to explore the user experience of a new intimate serum: the B.Y.M. Microbiome Serum. This product, containing a natural organism called ‘Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus’, has been designed to support the maintenance and protection of the female intimate microbiome. The serum is applied externally to the genital area as a protective and moisturising barrier, aimed at allowing healthy female microbes to flourish.
This study has now closed.
UK-based participants that meet the following criteria may be eligible:
- Assigned female at birth
- At least 18 years old
- Peri- or postmenopausal
- Willing and able to use the B.Y.M. Microbiome Serum as instructed
- Willing and able to collect and return by post vaginal and labia-perineum swab samples
This study has 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.
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.
This study has now closed.
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are a woman aged 18-75.
- 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.
This study has 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.
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.
This study has now closed.
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)
This study has 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.
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.
This study has now closed.
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
This study has 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 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.
This study has now closed.
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 has 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.
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 has 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.
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 has 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 has 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.