A mixed-methods scoping review on bladder self-care practices in women with and without lower urinary tract symptoms
This scoping review synthesized literature on women's bladder self-care practices by: 1) describing study characteristics; 2) identifying questionnaires used to assess self-care; and 3) summarizing behaviors relevant to bladder health. Five databases and reference lists were searched through April 2025 for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies. Ninety-seven studies were included, identifying 107 behaviors grouped into four domains: Toileting and Bladder Management, Personal Care and Hygiene Practices, Lifestyle and Behavioral Strategies, and Therapeutic Interventions. Most studies focused on women with urinary symptoms, with few population-based samples. No comprehensive, validated questionnaire assessing the full scope of bladder self-care was identified. Women engage in diverse behaviors that may influence bladder health. A validated, multidimensional questionnaire is needed to assess these behaviors, identify risk and protective factors, and guide preventive interventions.
Authors
- Lucas Zhang
- Camille P. Vaughan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6713-794X)
- D. Yvette LaCoursiere (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6694-4421)
- Deepa R. Camenga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6681-4507)
- Margaret G. Mueller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0287-998X)
- Elizabeth R. Mueller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3069-4069)
- Sonya S. Brady (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8660-9308)
- Alayne D. Markland (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6567-6744)
- Aimee S. James (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1411-9307)
- Chloe Falke
- Beverly Rosa Williams (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4535-9781)
- Kathryn L. Burgio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3357-2593)
- Cynthia S. Fok (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1197-0099)
- Kyle Herrala
- Todd Rockwood (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6234-435X)
- Elisabeth Steichen
- Jerry L. Lowder (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1065-4537)
- Eliza Wilson‐Powers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3021-6019)
- Cecilia T. Hardacker
- Amanda Berry (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5926-1107)
- Kimberly Kenton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2567-2068)
- Melissa A. Simon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9021-7315)
- Terri H. Lipman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5649-8069)
- Marian Acevedo‐Alvarez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1934-4236)
- Oluwateniola Brown (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7223-0487)
- Kyle Rudser (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9968-0090)
- Judith Sánchez
- Ann E. Stapleton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0130-8659)
- Julia Maki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0726-6421)
- Andrea Bilger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4838-4731)
- Melissa Marquez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3154-7220)
- Linda T. Brubaker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8598-2589)
- James William Griffith (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4840-8692)
- Diane K. Newman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5083-6397)
- Emily S. Lukacz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2189-8927)
- Bernard L. Harlow (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6735-8862)
- Miller Jm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4604-196X)
- Jean F. Wyman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1431-8469)
- Lisa Kane Low (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1785-0744)
- Amy M. Claussen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3996-1055)
- Shayna D. Cunningham (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8876-9962)
- Melanie Meister (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8174-7197)
- Gerald McGwin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9592-1133)
- Kristine Mc Talley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3402-3222)
- Julia Geynisman‐Tan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9225-6067)
- Elise Levin
- Abby Smith (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9154-9637)
- Jesse Nodora (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6756-4423)
- Jenna M. Norton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0407-8505)
- Cora Elizabeth Lewis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2301-5796)
- Heather Klusaritz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8769-0494)
- Ariana L. Smith (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9784-2559)
- Sara Putnam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9661-647X)
- Jeni Hebert‐Beirne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9473-0017)
- Leslie Rickey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1306-8982)
- Peter Scal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0773-2146)
- Dulce P. Rodriguez-Ponciano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0610-6444)
- Colleen Fitzgerald (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5413-7710)
- Vanika Chary
- Amy Ayala
- Katlin Nuscis
- Ratna Pakpahan
- Siobhan Sutcliffe
- Sara Elgayar
- Deepa Camega
Publication Details
- Journal
- Continence
- Published
- 2025-11-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cont.2025.102300
- Primary Topic
- Urinary Tract Infections Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00