Summer is the time of year when the risk of developing cystitis—a troublesome inflammation of the bladder—increases. It has the potential to ruin vacations for many, especially women, who are physiologically more predisposed to it. Cystitis is generally caused by an infection from pathogenic bacteria (usually originating from the intestinal flora) that affect the epithelial tissue lining the inside of the bladder, known as the urothelium.

During the summer season, various behaviors and poor habits can contribute to an increased risk of developing cystitis, for example:

• Wearing a wet swimsuit for an extended period: heat and humidity are the primary factors contributing to the development of bacterial infections—a cause of cystitis—and the moisture retained by a swimsuit creates an ideal environment for the colonization and proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. These disrupt the balance of the vaginal flora (microbiota) and can lead to infections, which in turn may cause cystitis. Furthermore, wet fabric causes constant mechanical rubbing and friction against the skin, leading to irritation in the intimate area—an effect exacerbated by the presence of salt and sand
• Poor hydration: high summer temperatures promote the loss of large volumes of fluid through non-urinary pathways (sweat), which leads to a reduction in urine production. Consequently, the bladder is emptied less frequently than usual; this means that the local bacterial load—which is normally “flushed out” during urination—increases, raising the risk of developing a bacterial infection. In addition to this risk, poor hydration causes urine to become more concentrated and acidic, which irritates the mucous membranes and skin, leading to a burning sensation during urination
• Sweat: through sweating, we lose minerals that are valuable to our bodies; this can negatively impact our immune defenses, making them less efficient at countering the development of urinary tract infections. Furthermore, sweat itself causes irritation in the intimate area, contributing to increased local pain and discomfort
• Changes in diet: the shift in eating habits that typically accompanies summer vacations—whether because we find ourselves in a place with a different food culture or simply because our eating patterns become more irregular—can disrupt normal intestinal function, promoting the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and their migration to the bladder

To prevent urinary tract infections, it is therefore important not to overlook some simple and well-established rules, especially in the summer:

1. Avoid wearing a wet swimsuit for too long; always carry a dry, clean change of clothes, and preferably opt for cotton undergarments to ensure better breathability
2. Use your own clean beach towel when sitting or lying down on the beach. It is also advisable to place a towel or a piece of clothing over your swimsuit to protect your intimate areas whenever you come into contact with potentially unhygienic surfaces (such as seats on boats or pedal boats, rocks, chairs at outdoor cafés, or benches in beach changing cabins).
3. Drink plenty of water—about 2–3 liters per day—to help prevent dehydration and the loss of essential minerals.
4. Maintain good intimate hygiene by using cleansers free from fragrances, dyes, and harsh surfactants that can strip away the protective film of the mucous membranes. Choose products with a pH between 3.5 and 5.5 that contain ingredients capable of inhibiting microbial growth (such as antibacterial or antifungal agents).
5. Use wet wipes, panty liners, and tampons in moderation; whenever possible, opt for cotton sanitary pads.

Should you unfortunately experience any of the troublesome symptoms of cystitis—such as burning sensations, spasms, an urgent need to urinate, abdominal pain, or blood in the urine—it is best to take action immediately. In cases of uncomplicated cystitis, when the first symptoms appear, it is often sufficient to increase fluid intake and use a dietary supplement designed to support the restoration of urinary tract health. Such supplements may contain ingredients like cranberry, pomegranate, or methionine—substances with antibacterial and diuretic properties that also help normalize urinary pH. These components make the bladder a less hospitable environment for bacterial growth and help alleviate the painful symptoms associated with cystitis.

In more difficult cases of cystitis, antibiotic therapy is used; fosfomycin—a broad-spectrum antibiotic taken orally—is commonly prescribed, though it must be used exclusively under strict medical supervision and with a doctor’s prescription. In fact, the improper use of antibiotics promotes bacterial resistance, making it more difficult and time-consuming to resolve infections.

There are also pain-relieving or antispasmodic treatments that may provide temporary symptom relief, but they are ineffective in addressing the underlying bacterial cause of the cystitis.