Efficacy of Quercetin for Women With UTI Symptoms and Vulvodynia

Introduction: Oral bioflavonoid therapy utilizing quercetin has proven to be clinically effective in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome and prostatitis, as well as women with interstitial cystitis (IC). The goal of this study was to determine efficacy of the bioflavanoid supplement Cysta-Q for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and vulvar/vaginal pain in women with vulvodynia.

Methods: 30 women, median age 43, (19 with urinary complaints and 11 with vulvodynia) received 2 capsules twice daily for a minimum of 14 days. One woman had documented IC. Symptoms were assessed before and after therapy using bladder health and pain assessment questionnaires.

Results: 14 of 19 women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) completed both pre and post treatment questionnaires. Urinary symptoms, as assessed by the bladder bother score and total bladder health score, improved significantly (p=0.008 and p=0.O02 respectively). A total of 13 patients completed the pain scale assessment (7 with LUTS and 6 with vulvodynia). Pain severity and pain frequency scores, improved significantly (p=0.004 and p=0.031 respectively) in these women. Median percent overall improvement reported was 45% for women with LUTS and 20% for women with vulvodynia.

Conclusions: These preliminary results demonstrate that oral quercetin supplement provides improvement in women with lower urinary tract symptoms and vulvar/vaginal pain in women with vulvodynia. Although larger placebo controlled studies are necessary, these data suggest that antioxidants may improve not only pain associated with LUTS, but also vulvodynia.