Urinary Problems in Summer: Why They Are More Common and What to Do

With the arrival of summer, our habits change: temperatures rise, we spend more time away from home and we sweat more. Our diet, hydration and daily routines often change as well.

All these factors can affect urinary tract health and contribute to the onset or worsening of symptoms such as:

• urinary urgency;
• increased urinary frequency;
• burning;
• itching;
• minor urine leakage.

Although these symptoms may seem temporary, they should not be underestimated, especially if they persist or occur alongside other warning signs. Taking a few simple precautions and, when necessary, consulting a specialist can help prevent symptoms and improve quality of life.

High temperatures lead to greater fluid loss through sweating. If these fluids are not adequately replaced, urine becomes more concentrated and can irritate the bladder lining, causing urgency, burning or discomfort during urination.

The different holiday routine can also affect normal bladder habits. Long journeys, changes in schedule, difficulty finding a toilet and the tendency to hold urine for too long can interfere with normal bladder function.

In addition, spending many hours in a wet swimsuit, inadequate hydration and certain eating and drinking habits typical of summer, such as increased consumption of alcohol, sugary drinks, processed, fried or particularly spicy foods, may contribute to urinary tract irritation or increase the risk of infections, especially in people who are predisposed.

Enjoying a few exceptions is part of being on holiday, but without completely abandoning healthy habits.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that supports the pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus and rectum, and helps control urinary and bowel continence.

When these muscles are weak, poorly coordinated or, conversely, excessively tense, urinary symptoms may appear or worsen, including:

• urinary urgency;
• increased urinary frequency;
• difficulty emptying the bladder completely;
• urine leakage during physical exertion, coughing, laughing or exercise;
• burning during urination or, more generally, genital burning.

Summer is often a time when physical activity increases, with long walks, hiking, running or beach sports. Although these activities are beneficial for overall health, they can make a pre-existing pelvic floor dysfunction more noticeable.

A few simple measures can help keep the bladder and pelvic floor healthy during the warmer months. It is important to:

• drink regularly throughout the day without waiting until you feel very thirsty, avoiding both dehydration and drinking large amounts of water all at once;
• limit alcohol, energy drinks and caffeine, which can irritate the bladder in more sensitive individuals;
• avoid holding urine for too long, but also avoid urinating “just in case” when you do not actually feel the need;
• after swimming in the sea or pool, take a freshwater shower and change out of a wet swimsuit as soon as possible. This helps remove traces of sand, salt or chlorine that may irritate the skin and mucous membranes of the genital area. Remaining in a wet swimsuit for a long time also creates an environment that can encourage the growth of certain microorganisms and may increase the risk of irritation or infection in predisposed individuals;
• choose clothing and underwear made from natural fibres, such as cotton and linen, which promote breathability and reduce moisture in the genital and pelvic area;
• continue any prescribed pelvic floor exercises while on holiday.

An often overlooked factor is gut health. During holidays, meal and waking times change, diet and daily routines shift, and journeys are often longer than usual. All these factors can contribute to constipation or changes in bowel habits.

When the bowel does not empty regularly, it can increase pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor, contributing to worsening symptoms such as:

• urinary urgency;
• increased urinary frequency;
• pelvic pressure and pain.

For this reason, it is important to maintain adequate hydration, consume enough fibre and, as far as possible, respect your body’s natural rhythms even while on holiday.

For people living with urinary incontinence, recurrent cystitis, chronic pelvic pain or pelvic floor dysfunction, it can be helpful to prepare before travelling. Taking along aids and products that are already part of your daily routine can make it easier to manage symptoms while away from home. Useful items may include:

• female urination devices or disposable toilet seat covers, which can help you maintain a more appropriate position when using public toilets. In public restrooms, people often hover over the toilet rather than sitting down completely. While understandable, this position prevents the pelvic floor from relaxing fully and can interfere with complete bladder emptying, potentially leaving residual urine and increasing the risk of urinary tract infections in predisposed individuals;
• a soft cushion or a specific anatomical cushion, particularly useful during long journeys by car, train or plane for people with vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, pudendal neuralgia or other chronic pelvic pain conditions;
• a barrier cream for the vulvar or genital area, which can create a protective layer between the skin and underwear or swimwear, reducing redness and irritation caused by friction;
• a re-epithelialising cream, if previously recommended by a specialist, to support the healing of small fissures in the vulvar mucosa or anal area;
• an intimate lubricant and specific moisturising products, particularly useful for maintaining mucosal health in people with vulvovaginal dryness or pelvic pain;
• a gentle, non-irritating intimate cleanser, used in moderation (generally once or twice a day is sufficient) while avoiding overly frequent washing, which may disrupt the natural balance of the local microbiota;
• any medications prescribed by your doctor, including painkillers or other treatments already in use, without stopping them independently while on holiday;
• any supplements or probiotics recommended by a pelvic floor specialist. In some cases, products containing D-mannose or cranberry may be recommended to support urinary tract health, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) for certain pain conditions, or specific probiotics to support the balance of the intestinal and vaginal microbiota.

Not all urinary problems are caused by hot weather, and they do not always resolve on their own. A specialist pelvic health assessment is recommended if symptoms persist for several days, become progressively worse or are accompanied by:

• fever;
• blood in the urine;
• lower back or flank pain;
• severe burning during urination;
• new or progressively worsening urinary incontinence;
• difficulty emptying the bladder completely;
• persistent pelvic pain that limits normal daily activities;
• a urinary tract infection that persists or returns shortly after resolving with treatment;
• recurrent cystitis, defined as 2 episodes within 6 months or 3 episodes within one year.

A specialist assessment can help identify the cause of the symptoms, rule out conditions requiring specific treatment and determine the most appropriate treatment pathway.