Genital Hygiene, Toilet Behaviors, and LUTS in Normal Weight and Obese Women (GH-TB-BA-LUTS)

Gulhane School of Medicine

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Overweight; Genital Hygiene; Body Awareness; Obesity; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS); Toilet Training

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07383987

2025-035

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare genital hygiene habits, toilet behaviors, body awareness levels, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women aged 18-45 years, categorized by Body Mass Index (BMI) as normal weight (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). The study seeks to improve social participation and quality of life by increasing awareness regarding obesity, genital hygiene, and urogenital health.

H1: There is a significant difference in lower urinary tract symptoms between BMI groups.

H2: There is a significant difference in genital hygiene behaviors between BMI groups.

H3: There is a significant difference in toilet behaviors between BMI groups. H4: There is a significant difference in body awareness levels between BMI groups.

H5: There is a significant relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and genital hygiene behavior.

H6: There is a significant relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and toilet behavior.

H7: There is a significant relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and body awareness.

H8: There is a significant relationship between genital hygiene behavior and body awareness.

H9: There is a significant relationship between toilet behavior and body awareness.

Full description

While existing literature often focuses on single variables, this research adopts a holistic approach. The findings will help clarify the behavioral and awareness-related factors underlying the increased risk of LUTS and infections in overweight/obese women. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to the development of weight-specific preventive strategies to protect women's urogenital health.

Enrollment: 246 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female participants
• Between the ages of 18 and 45
• Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-24.9 kg/m² for the normal weight group
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² for the overweight/obese group
• Sufficient cognitive function to answer the questionnaires
• Not having entered menopause

Exclusion criteria

• Being pregnant or breastfeeding
• History of bariatric surgery
• History of gynecological or urological surgery/operation
• Diagnosis of lower urinary tract infection or presence of active infection -symptoms
• Presence of any neurological disease
• Presence of any psychiatric disease
• Presence of any oncological disease
• Presence of a communication disorder that would interfere with the questionnaire application

Trial design

246 participants in 3 patient groups

Normal Weight Group

Description:

Normal Weight Group: This group consists of female participants aged 18-45 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m². These individuals serve as the control group to evaluate baseline genital hygiene habits, toilet behaviors, body awareness, and lower urinary tract symptoms.

Overweight Group

Description:

Overweight Group: This group consists of female participants aged 18-45 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging from 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m². This group is evaluated to determine the specific impact of being overweight on urogenital health and behavioral factors compared to normal-weight and obese individuals.

Obese Group

Description:

Obese Group: This group consists of female participants aged 18-45 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.0 kg/m² or higher. This group is evaluated to investigate how obesity correlates with the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms, genital hygiene practices, and body awareness levels.