Exploring Stigma Communication About Urinary Tract Infections in the United States

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) have steadily increased in prevalence and severity among women in the United States and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Yet, women are often reluctant to discuss such infections due to potential stigmatization. Indeed, UTI treatment and prevention often involves communication with intimate partners and physicians, and this communication can require stigma management. Further, stigma communication can influence women's experiences with UTI symptoms and treatment. The theory of stigma management communication is well-suited to explore how stigma-related communication unfolds about the experience, diagnosis, and treatment of UTIs. The current study uses in-depth interviews conducted in 2022 to learn about experiences with stigma communication surrounding UTIs. Findings reveal that participants perceived UTIs as stigmatized due to associations between UTIs and female gender, sexual behavior, genital health, and hygiene. Participants described using stigma management strategies to accept, ignore, avoid, reduce responsibility for, and challenge stigmas related to UTIs. This analysis has implications for theorizing choice in stigma management research and for provider-patient interactions surrounding UTIs.