Intimate Care in Summer: How to Stay Clean, Fresh, and Healthy

With summer finally here, it’s time to pack the sunscreen, grab your favorite swimsuit, and get ready for unforgettable memories. However, to ensure you enjoy the sunny days to the fullest without any discomfort, there is one crucial thing you cannot overlook: your intimate health.

While daily intimate care is always important, rising temperatures change the rules of the game. High heat and constant sweating cause the intimate area to retain more moisture than usual, which requires special attention. Here are the best expert-backed tips to keep you feeling fresh, comfortable, and protected all season long.

Heat and Your Period: How Summer Affects Your Cycle

Did you know that high temperatures can actually alter your period? According to specialists, the menstrual cycle can be impacted by summer weather and travel in several ways:

Thermal Stress: Hormones regulate your menstrual cycle. When your body experiences heat exhaustion or constant thermal stress, it can trigger irregular periods, more intense menstrual cramps, and heavier bleeding.
Travel and Environment Changes: Jetting off to vacation spots with drastically different altitudes or temperatures can throw your body's natural rhythms off balance, shifting your expected period dates.

Summer Tip: Keep your body cool using hand-held fans, opt for 100% cotton underwear and breathable clothing, and drink plenty of water to counteract fluid loss.

Summer and the Pool: What to Know Before Diving In

Two young women laughing wearing swimsuits having fun in the pool

Swimming in the pool is undoubtedly the star activity of the summer. However, there is a common misconception that as long as the water is chlorinated, there is nothing to worry about. The reality is quite different. While chlorine is essential for public pool sanitation, it can be highly abrasive to the sensitive skin of the intimate area, leading to dryness, itching, and irritation.

Furthermore, spending prolonged periods in a wet swimsuit creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Because the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, the chances of developing a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) increase significantly during this season—a risk that tends to be even higher for women in perimenopause or menopause.

The Post-Swim Checklist

If you often experience dryness or itching after a dip in the pool, medical experts recommend following these essential steps:

Change out of your wet swimsuit as soon as possible.
Shower immediately after leaving the pool to rinse off chlorine residue (wash gently without scrubbing the area).
Choose fragrance-free products: If you use wipes or panty liners, completely avoid those with added perfumes.
Use a protective barrier: You can apply a safe, intimate-friendly protective balm (such as lanolin-based products) to restore skin hydration.
Hydrate from within! Drinking water consistently helps naturally flush out your urinary system.

Your Best Ally: Prevention

A group of six women with different body sizes wearing swimsuits at the beach having fun

If you are prone to frequent UTIs or notice that swimming always causes vaginal discomfort, don't let it ruin your vacation. The best approach is to schedule a visit with your gynecologist before the peak of the season. This way, you can get personalized recommendations and enjoy the sun completely worry-free.

For daily maintenance, incorporating a specialized cleanser like iroha INTIMATE WASH can also help. This foam-type soap is designed to safely wash away impurities, keeping your intimate area feeling fresh and clean all summer long.