Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Quality of Life in Obese Women: A Qualitative Study

This study was conducted to determine lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact on the quality of life in obese women with LUTS. This study was conducted using a qualitative method at a university hospital. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 obese women who had LUTS and no chronic illnesses using a semi-structured interview form. The interviews were evaluated through content analysis, and themes were identified and findings were interpreted. Qualitative analysis revealed that LUTS significantly affected women's lives, with complaints increasing as the degree of obesity increased. Most women reported searching for a restroom when going out, being unable to perform religious practices such as prayer, and experiencing negative effects on their sexual lives. Most women indicated that the causes of urinary tract symptoms were pregnancy/birth, excess weight and ageing. In conclusion, it was observed that obesity causes LUTS in women and negatively affects their quality of life.