How to Protect Your Intimate Health in the Summer Heat
By Dr. Giuseppe Martinelli, gynecologist at Aventino Medical Group, Rome
Intimate health at risk in the heat: what you need to know
When we think of summer, sunscreen and hydration often come to mind. Yet there’s another delicate part of the body that’s frequently overlooked: the intimate area. Summer heat, sweat, sand, humidity, and synthetic clothing can disrupt the natural balance of the vaginal flora, increasing the risk of discomforts such as irritation, cystitis, vaginitis, and yeast infections.
“The intimate area is as sensitive as the skin on your face,” explains Dr. Giuseppe Martinelli, gynecologist. “In summer, the risk of imbalance grows—especially at the beach or pool, where heat, moisture, and sand combine.”
To protect feminine intimate health, it’s essential to adopt simple daily habits: wear cotton underwear, use gentle cleansers with a physiological pH, and pay attention to the signals your body sends. Prevention is the first step toward a calm and healthy summer—even for your intimate well-being.
Risk factors for intimate health: age, climate, and daily habits
Intimate health is closely linked to the balance of the vaginal microbiota, a protective ecosystem primarily composed of lactobacilli. Age and hormones play a key role: during low-estrogen phases (childhood, pregnancy, menopause), the production of glycogen—which lactobacilli feed on—decreases. This leads to a rise in vaginal pH and a higher susceptibility to infections.
Warm and humid environments, like summer in Rome, intensify sweating and trap moisture in the genital area, encouraging the growth of Candida albicans, Gardnerella vaginalis, and other opportunistic pathogens. Wearing synthetic, non-breathable, or tight clothing—or staying in a wet swimsuit too long—reduces local oxygenation and alters the hydrolipidic film of the mucosa.
According to the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG) and the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA), it’s best to wear cotton underwear daily, use intimate cleansers with an acidic physiological pH (4.0–4.5), and, in cases of recurrent imbalance, consider vaginal probiotics containing Lactobacillus crispatus or rhamnosus, which help restore a healthy flora.
Prevention: small actions that make a big difference
To protect your intimate health during the warmer months:
- Change out of wet swimsuits as soon as possible
- Avoid tight or synthetic clothing
- Use specific, gentle intimate cleansers
- Drink plenty of water to keep mucous membranes hydrated
- Rinse off with fresh water after the beach or pool
A gynecological visit before summer can be particularly helpful for those with recurrent vaginal infections or even mild but persistent symptoms.
Pay close attention to signs like itching, burning, abnormal discharge, unpleasant odor, pain during intercourse, or frequent urination. These are warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
Seeing a specialist early helps prevent complications, identify the cause, and receive personalized, targeted treatment.
Conclusion
Take care of your intimate health—even in summer. Heat, humidity, and seasonal habits can disrupt the vaginal flora and lead to recurring discomforts. Knowing the risk factors, adopting good daily practices, and listening to your body is the first step to enjoying summer in full well-being.
And don’t forget your intimate health… even on vacation
Have questions or symptoms? Speak to your trusted gynecologist.
Ginecologia – Aventino Medical Group
Sources:
- European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Guidance for women’s health in summer environments, 2021.
- Borges S, Silva J, Teixeira P. The role of Lactobacilli in the vaginal microbiota. Front Public Health. 2014.