Labour MP Dr. Allison Gardner has described experiencing a decade of debilitating pain from chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), leading her to feel "like a drug user" as she sought adequate pain relief. Gardner, who first experienced symptoms during perimenopause, is now working with a cross-party group of MPs to establish an official medical definition for the condition.
Chronic UTIs are characterized by persistent symptoms that do not resolve with short antibiotic courses and can be difficult to diagnose due to low bacterial counts in urine samples. The condition affects an estimated 1.6 million women in the UK, according to the Chronic Urinary Tract Campaign (CUTIC), though there is no official medical definition. Gardner described the pain as "searing" and likened it to "hot needles being inserted inside you and just burning, burning, burning."
Gardner stated that she felt "gaslighted" by some medical professionals and was once advised to "wipe yourself better." Another consultant suggested she refrain from sexual activity, as it could trigger flare-ups. She reported constant struggles to receive appropriate treatment, often being told she had anxiety, depression, or was attention-seeking.
The persistent pain and lack of understanding led Gardner to a dark place, where she contemplated that she "can't carry on" if her life was to remain in that state. She even considered selling her home to fund private surgery to have her bladder removed.
Three years ago, Gardner found Dr. Cat Anderson, a GP specializing in complex UTI cases. Anderson identified Gardner's symptoms as potentially related to menopause and prescribed Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which provided Gardner with two years free of UTIs. Gardner acknowledged the conflict with her Labour principles regarding private healthcare but stated, "You're stuck with a choice... You either suffer or you go private." She believes everyone should have access to necessary healthcare.
Dr. Anderson is leading a panel of medical experts to develop a definition for chronic UTIs, aiming to differentiate it from other conditions and facilitate better diagnosis and treatment. Persistent infections, Anderson noted, can severely diminish a patient's quality of life, impacting their ability to work or care for their children. She has witnessed patients driven to suicide by the symptoms.
The expert panel, co-led by Anderson and consultant urological surgeon Sachin Malde, plans to deliver its proposed definition in 2027 for presentation to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NICE stated it has recommended further research into chronic UTIs to build a stronger evidence base for potential recommendations. NHS England confirmed that no single national dataset currently captures all chronic UTI cases as a distinct diagnosis.
Gardner described the potential definition as "transformational" not only for the UK but globally. In 2023-24, UTIs accounted for 1.2 million hospital bed days in the UK, costing the NHS over £604 million. Dr. Ron Daniels, founder and chief medical officer of the UK Sepsis Trust, indicated that up to 20% of sepsis cases, some of which are fatal, are thought to originate from the urinary tract.
Beyond a formal definition, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on chronic UTIs aims to implement mandatory GP training on the condition and introduce patient "passports" for patients to avoid repetitive explanations of their medical history. In April, then-Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged an "appalling culture of medical misogyny" within the NHS, where women frequently experience being ignored, gaslit, and disrespected. Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor, co-chair of the APPG, expressed disappointment that Streeting's women's health strategy did not mention UTIs. The group is now focused on lobbying the government for increased research funding and improved patient care. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated their commitment to reducing the impact of chronic UTIs and investing in research to ensure women receive high-quality care.