Why do I get UTIs in the summer?

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Kate graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from San Diego State University. She is the Content Manager at Uqora and is responsible for Uqora's social media, newsletters and contributing to the UTI Learning Center.

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Bathing suit? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Towel? Check. It’s summer and you’re ready to enjoy the weather and long days. Just when it seems like everything’s going swimmingly, you notice a burning sensation near your urethra and when you pee. Great, another UTI just in time for summer. Urinary tract infections are more common in the summertime, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with them. Let’s dive into some solutions so you can hit the pool or beach stress-free.

The increase in certain activities in the summer, like swimming, camping, or traveling, may be why UTI frequency goes up in the summer months.

Urinary tract infections are caused by harmful bacteria traveling up your urethra to your bladder. These bacteria exist naturally around your anus and perineum, however, when they are introduced to the urethra, it can cause an infection. It also doesn’t help that women are more likely to get UTIs because we have shorter urethras, which means it’s a shorter distance for bacteria to climb to reach the bladder. Here’s why UTIs are common during the summer:

• Being in swimming pools and jacuzzis means that germs and bacteria from other areas of your body (and other people’s bodies) are floating around.
• Spending time in wet, damp bathing suits. Humidity, warmth, and moisture breed more bacteria, which increases your risk of a UTI.
• Dehydration. Whether it’s spending more time in the sun, going out for drinks (or both), drinking less water means your body doesn’t have the tools to fight off an infection. If you’re drinking less water it also means you’re peeing less, so UTI-causing bacteria have a greater chance of adhering to your urethra or bladder.
• You’re sweating more than usual down there. Wet or damp underwear also makes it easier for bacteria to grow.
• You’re getting intimate this summer and sex makes it easier for bacteria to shift around and cause a UTI. It also doesn’t help that our clitoris is located just above our urethra, and a lot of pressure is applied to that area during sex.

So you can’t regulate how much chlorine is in a pool, and you can’t control whether or not people shower before entering the pool. Does that mean you should just skip the pool altogether and admire the water from the comfort of a lounge chair? Absolutely not. Here are measures you can take to avoid UTIs after swimming:

• Drink your recommended daily amount of water to stay hydrated. Urinating flushes out bacteria.
• When you’re done swimming, shower off (clean water will do just fine!) and change into dry cotton underwear. For optimal ventilation, loose-fitting clothing is your best bet.
• Pee and clean after intercourse. Cleaning with water afterwards can also help wash away opportunistic bacteria.
• Go to the bathroom when you need to, and take your time to empty your bladder. If you hold in your urine for too long, this makes it easier for bacteria to grow.
• Opt for showers instead of baths.
• Avoid scented feminine products, sprays, douches, or lubes that can throw off your vaginal pH. When your delicate vaginal pH is knocked off balance, this makes it harder for the healthy bacteria that protect your body to fight off pathogens.

Your love for swimming and summer time activities shouldn’t come at the cost of another UTI. Take the plunge and take charge of your urinary health with proactive measures like hydration and changing out of damp clothing as soon as possible.