Special to The Island News
This summer, alongside your trusty sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat and stylish sunglasses, add one more crucial item to your summer routine: a strategy to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
UTIs are more prevalent during the summer months than at other times of the year, thanks to warm temperatures that allow bacteria to grow.
Why are UTIs more common in the summer?
UTIs are common throughout the year and, in women, one of the most common types of infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These infections occur when bacteria make their way into part of the urinary tract, and women have a shorter urethra than men do, making it easier for bacteria to make their way inside the body.
UTIs spike in summer for many reasons. During the summer months, especially here in the Lowcountry, many of us spend long periods of time outdoors and near water. That often includes ample time in a wet bathing suit. Bacteria can thrive in warm, moist environments, exposing your genital area to UTI-causing bacteria that can make their way into the body.
Another reason is mere convenience. When you’re outdoors being active or in places without easy access to a bathroom, you may find you hold your urine for longer periods of time. Doing so can increase your risk of a UTI.
Finally, hot weather makes you sweat more, which can increase the risk of dehydration – and all of these factors combined can be a recipe for infection.
“During the summer, it’s easy to become dehydrated, particularly if you’re spending time outside in the heat,” says Carri Knapp, board-certified family nurse practitioner at Beaufort Memorial Express Care & Occupational Health. “When you stay hydrated, your urine is diluted, and you’re flushing bacteria out of the body when you urinate, which can lower the risk of infection. That’s why it’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day.”
If you’ve ever experienced a UTI, you’re familiar with how uncomfortable these infections can be. UTI symptoms include:
- Cloudy or discolored urine
- Discomfort in the back or below the ribs
- Fatigue
- Fever
- More frequent urges to urinate
- Pain or burning during urination
These symptoms can occur with any type of urinary tract infection, but symptoms may be more severe if the infection moves into the bladder or the kidneys.
To lower your risk of developing a UTI this summer and throughout the rest of the year, start with these tips:
- Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. This can help prevent bacteria from entering the urethra.
- Reconsider your birth control method. Some types of birth control, including spermicides and diaphragms, can increase the risk of UTIs. If you experience recurring infections, talk with your OBGYN or another women’s health provider about an alternative birth control option.
- Use the restroom when the urge strikes. Go to the bathroom when you need to go and ensure you completely empty your bladder.
- Stay hydrated. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water — by then, you may already be dehydrated.
- Urinate after sexual activity. Directly following intercourse and other forms of sexual activity, take a quick trip to the restroom to flush out your bladder and any bacteria that may have made their way into the urinary tract.
- Change out of wet clothing quickly. Don’t linger in a wet swimsuit. Change as soon as you’re able to after you get home from the pool or beach.
