Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42268412›Full record

ReviewInternational urogynecology journal2026

Sexual Wellbeing and Urinary Tract Infections: A Scoping Review.

Megan Evans, Aileen Ho, Mia Richell, Katherine A Finlay

Abstract readReview
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In one paragraph

Review in International urogynecology journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Megan EvansSchool of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK.
Aileen HoSchool of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK.
Mia RichellSchool of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK.
Katherine A FinlaySchool of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK. katherine.finlay@reading.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8997-2652

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introduction and hypothesisWhilst sexual activity can increase the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI), UTIs themselves can negatively impact the sexual wellbeing of people living with UTI, especially if recurrent. This scoping review aimed to explore the relationship between sexual wellbeing and UTI, focusing on the impact of symptoms and treatment provision for people experiencing UTI.

methodsA scoping review examining papers from 2002 onwards was implemented via PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scopus, following PRISMA-SR and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. Following preregistration, initial searches were conducted, with records screened for title and abstracts, before being screened as full texts using Rayyan software.

resultsInitial searches returned 6984 articles, with 33 articles extracted. The key behavioural factors of frequency of intercourse and lack of pre- and post-sex voiding were confirmed as risk factors; however, results also implicated partner hygiene habits in exacerbating risk. Multiple sexual partners and use of spermicide-based contraception were not consistently associated with heightened UTI occurrence. UTIs negatively impacted sexual function and distress, limiting intimate communication.

conclusionsUTIs are often attributed to risky sexual behaviour; however, this review concluded that safe sexual behaviours also increased risk. Additionally, broader interpersonal issues, such as partner hygiene and difficulties in managing open, UTI-informed intimate conversation, were implicated as detrimental factors. Without adequately targeted psychosexual interventions to enhance sexual wellbeing in this population, sexual distress is likely to remain high. This review is the first step in evidencing the need for enhanced sexual wellbeing support in urological care for individuals and their partners.

Indexed as

Intimate relationshipsPartnerPsychosexualRecurrent urinary tract infectionSexual HealthUrology

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.