Any hot weather tips - how to keep dry "there?"

[Roandro]

I'm now on my second uti of the summer and 'am determined not to have another one. I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

I perspire quite a bit between my legs - even when I don't have undies or tight pants on. Frankly, the area is almost always damp/moist - a real breeding ground for trouble.

I'm going to meditate more to avoid stress, abstain from sugar and sugar related products, take D.Mannose, wear skirts or baggy pants more often but I wonder if there are any other tips I might use.?
Thanks!

[Kara29]

Hopefully some others will chime in here. I'm not very familiar with these methods. The Vulyvodynia/Vestibulitis board may have some suggestions.

Well Wishes,

Kara

[Tinkerbell23]

maybe try baby powder or corn starch or feminine powder...

[ICNDonna]

It might help to wear 100% cotton unders and change several times a day.

Donna

[Want2BPainFree]

I live in sundresses and wear 100% cotton underwear. I change them if I need to. I have VV, so I don't use any powder or anything, but have a problem with vaginal dryness, so it probably would make things worse rather than better.

As far as being prone to UTI, maybe you need to rinse with lukewarm water every time you pee and pat dry with paper.

[JenAZ07]

I live in AZ....and have history of recurrent yeast infections (at one time at least 7 a year), and sweat a lot in that area……so I have a little experience with trying to keep dry down there. But you must remember that a lot of UTIs are caused by bacteria from the colon/rectum/anus getting into the urethra….so just being sweaty down there doesn’t mean that is causing your recurrent UTIs. That said, these suggestions might help you…….

To help eliminate wetness......
1. Unscented deodorant antiperspirant – the brand “Sure” has one and it is super cheap. I just slide in on the sides of the outer areas….like where your underwear seam would be…..trust me it helps reduce sweat down there.
2. All cotton undies – I don’t wear anything but cotton and try not to wear super tight undies.
3. Loose fitting clothing – I don’t wear anything skin tight….and I actually prefer to wear dresses and skirts as that provides for added ventilation.
4. Baby powder – but instead of just putting it on your underwear I actually apply it with TP to by bum and in between the cracks….as that is wear a lot of sweat comes from. Don’t have to use as much and more effective than just putting in your undies.

To help eliminate bacteria.....
1. Do not wear g-strings or thongs…..as those can cause UTIs. As you move the string part moves and carries the bacteria from your rectum to other areas down there.
2. Make sure you are wiping from front to back – for everything….even pee. Otherwise you could be wiping bacteria from your bum to your urethra.
3. Use baby wipes -- antibacterial wipes -- after using the bathroom, especially after a bowel movement.
4. Pee immediately after sex. During sex a lot of bacteria can get trapped in your urethra from the back and forth movements. If you pee right afterwards….you can eliminate a lot of that bacteria before it gets far enough up to cause a problem.
5. Drink lots and lots of water. Not only does it help prevent UTIs, but it will also ease your symptoms if you get one.

Hope this helps.

[elamar]

After I shower, I use a hairdryer on the COOL setting to dry things out. Keep the hairs down there very short (sorry to be personal!). I don't use any powders because I am trying to keep things as natural as possible, not adding anything additional to the area. If I were to use something, I would probably use a light dusting of corn starch powder. Maybe you can try the blow dryer several times through out the day - just make sure you keep it on the cool setting so you don't start sweating again! Good luck to you. I only need 1-2 minutes with the hair dryer so it won't use alot of your time.

[Roandro]

Wow - thanks for all the wonderful advice! Some things I'd never thought of - like the pubic hair "issue", the baby wipes after bm's and the hair dryer on "cool" - brilliant.

I suppose the ecoli is the main cause of the uti's but I'm sure those snug pants I usually wear didn't help the situation as they (tight pants) are often listed as a cause along with stress - my nemesis!
Thanks again!

[Noraisha]

I'm now on my second uti of the summer and 'am determined not to have another one. I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

I perspire quite a bit between my legs - even when I don't have undies or tight pants on. Frankly, the area is almost always damp/moist - a real breeding ground for trouble.

I'm going to meditate more to avoid stress, abstain from sugar and sugar related products, take D.Mannose, wear skirts or baggy pants more often but I wonder if there are any other tips I might use.?
Thanks!
Hi there, if you constantly getting UTI than you need to read about D-mannose.

[izazen]

Thankfully, I haven't had one in over a year.

'Am watching myself very carefully. Thanks for the advice - I will remember it for the future - hopefully I won't need to!

[Calinda]

This thread has really helped me. I just got another UTI. I had two last year and this one and one of last years in the summer also. So I was wondering if the heat was aggravating my problem. I hate hate having UTI's. It means countless visits to the doctor. I hate going to the doctor's.

I'm going to take some of these suggestions and hope it helps. I was changing my cotton underwear a couple of times a day--but I'm going to try more times. Yikes one needs lots of undies to do that.

Thanks for all your comments.