Niamh Elliott
Medical Manager, Pamex Limited
Urinary tract infections (UTIs), including cystitis, are among the most common bacterial infections in women worldwide. Unfortunately, for many, it can become a frustrating and painful cycle.
More than half of all women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, and up to 30% will go on to have another. Antibiotics are the primary treatment for UTIs. However, their overuse is contributing to a growing global health crisis: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
AMR threat demands better UTI management
Repeated antibiotic exposure promotes the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified AMR as one of the top 10 global public health threats. By 2050, antimicrobial-resistant infections could claim more lives annually than cancer — a sobering reminder of the urgent need to rethink how we manage recurrent UTIs.
Why the bowel matters in bladder health
The connection between the bowel and bladder might not be immediately obvious, but it is crucial to understanding and preventing UTIs. Over 90% of uncomplicated cystitis cases are caused by pathogens, most commonly Escherichia coli (E. coli), which naturally reside in the bowel. These bacteria can migrate from the anal area to the urinary tract, where they can cause a cystitis infection.
This movement of bacteria highlights why targeting the bowel — rather than just the bladder — can be an effective strategy for preventing cystitis.
The connection between the bowel and bladder
might not be immediately obvious, but it is
crucial to understanding and preventing UTIs.
A unique, antibiotic-free strategy
One innovative approach involves the use of mucoprotectants — substances that form a protective barrier in the gut, helping to reduce the adhesion of harmful bacteria to the intestinal wall. Xyloglucan, a plant-derived mucoprotectant, works in this way to limit the growth and migration of E. coli from the bowel to the urinary tract.
Supporting natural ingredients — hibiscus and propolis — work in the bladder by mildly acidifying the urine, making it less hospitable to bacteria. This helps the body clear the infection and reduces urinary discomfort. When combined, these ingredients have been shown to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrent cystitis.
Benefits of novel UTI approach
These benefits are supported by the 2025 European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines, which state: ‘A combination of xyloglucan, hibiscus and propolis is effective in relieving acute cystitis symptoms and preventing recurrence.’
By also focusing on the gut, this novel treatment can help break the cycle of recurrent UTIs and reduce the use of antibiotics. For women seeking a new way forward, science is pointing to the bowel as a smart place to start.
Utipro® Plus AF is a Class IIa Medical Device for the control and prevention of UTIs.
It contains xyloglucan, hibiscus, and propolis — the combination recognised in the latest European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines.
Distributed in Ireland by Pamex Limited.
