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In winter we are not exempt from cystitis, but summer is the season in which we run more risks of suffering from this ailment because it increases the humidity in the urogenital area due to heat and sweat.

The temperature changes between the water of the pool or the beach and the outside, greater sweating and humidity of the swimsuits favor the growth of microorganisms and bacteria that especially affect the vaginal area. In the case of cystitis, most are caused by E coli bacteria.

Urinary tract infections are not serious a priori, but it is important to treat them in time to prevent them from spreading and thus causing a more serious and painful kidney infection. The most common symptom is stinging or pain when urinating and it is not usual to give fever.

From Lanier Pharma they explain that it is pertinent to go to the doctor to receive treatment with antibiotics and, additionally, they recommend the nutacetics (food or part of a food that provides health benefits) to complete the action of the drug and add preventive function.

Symptoms of cystitis

José Antonio Valdés González, pharmacist and researcher of natural products, details what are the warning signs of this urinary infection.

  • Sensation of discomfort or burning at the time of urination.
  • Abdominal pain in the lower belly area.
  • Continuous need to go to the bathroom many times during the day, but stay with the feeling of wanting to urinate even more.
  • Pressure or cramps in the groin or lower abdomen.
  • In more chronic cases, blood in the urine. For the latter, go to the nearest doctor for treatment.
  • Rarely, it may include fever, excessive tiredness, or tremors.

Cystitis, a girl thing

Women are the most likely to suffer from this bladder infection because of their anatomy, as they have a shorter urethra and it is closer to the rectum, compared to men. This facilitates the risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract, which can trigger this infection.

In fact, one in four Spanish women suffer urinary infections one or more times during the year and 50% will have it at some time in their lives. In the stage of menopause is where more cases of urinary infections are found, caused mainly by hormonal alterations and vaginal trophism. Men, on the other hand, tend more to urethritis.

Dr. Silvia Gómez, author of the book 'Microbiota Universe', explains in this Instagram post that, in addition, sexually active women are more at risk of cystitis and pregnant women, due to the pressure that the baby exerts on the urinary system.

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Nine keys to avoid cystitis

  • Drink plenty of water: 2 liters at least a day: drinking liquids favors the cleaning of your urinary tract through urine, thus avoiding the appearance of bacteria that cause the appearance of urinary infections. In addition, in summer we go out more, drink alcohol, and drinking water helps eliminate waste.
  • Don't pee too long. This reduces the risk of infection.
  • Do not wear very tight or synthetic underwear: adequate perspiration of the intimate area also helps prevent infections. It is important to wear loose-fitting clothing and breathable fabrics, such as cotton.
  • Avoid constipation, as it favors infections.
  • Keep the vaginal area as dry as possible after the beach or pool: Wearing a wet swimsuit for many hours is the perfect setting for bacteria that cause infections. Try to change your clothes after being in the water.
  • Use neutral soaps for your intimate area: Scented soaps can cause irritation in this sensitive area, increasing the risk of bacteria appearing.
  • Personal hygiene. When you go to the bathroom, clean your genital area from front to back to prevent infection.
  • Go to the bathroom before and after sex: it is important to urinate after sex, as it reduces the possibility of bacteria being lodged in the vicinity of the urethra.
  • Take foods that inhibit the adhesions of bacteria to the wall of the urinary tract or their proliferation, such as D-mannose, a sugar present in fruits such as peaches and apples; a very specific probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus; and American cranberry, which is found in fresh, dehydrated fruit (similar to raisins), in juices and capsules, as a food supplement. Valdés explains that it is very important, in the case of these supplements, that the three ingredients are presented together, since otherwise, in his opinion, "the formulation is lame and the treatment is not effective."

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