Do you know the risks of keeping a wet bikini?
summer and vacation. Days of going to the beach, pool, or river for a refreshing dip. We go out on the towel to sunbathe, play cards or shovels, or have an aperitif, and when the body begins to be dry and the heat takes hold again, we go back to the water. These are some of the most common activities during this time of year, where the bikini can become the uniform of every day. But with this can come vulvovaginal infections. From the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) they warn of the risks that staying with a wet swimsuit may entail.
The humidity that the swimsuit maintains after leaving the water and the increase in sweating help to create the perfect environment for fungi and other pathogens to proliferate in the genital area.. Although it can happen at any time of the year, it is in summer when there are more possibilities, and therefore when more care must be taken.
Most swimsuits are usually made of lycra or nylon, and from SEGO they explain that they are fabrics that do not perspire and favor greater humidity, a factor that must be taken into account. They recommend keeping the vulvovaginal area as dry as possible after bathing.
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They also suggest a shower when you get out of the water to remove possible excess chlorine and dirt.. When the vulvar area is to be washed, it should be done only with water or at most with neutral soap, without perfume, since the scientific society estimates that excessive washing in this area can be counterproductive, because it can reduce the natural defenses and alter vaginal pH. In this way, it is not recommended to wash frequently (3-4 times a day), unless it is necessary.
Likewise, they advise against the continued use of sanitary protectors (salvaslip), unless there is no other option, since they do not allow heat and humidity to be released correctly. Because they are synthetic, they can cause dermatitis and skin allergies in the area.. They also state that it is important to regularly change the compress, tampon or vaginal cup to prevent infections.
Another issue to take into account at this time of year is waxing the genital area. In the case of shaving, it is advisable to use very clean material and not shave the entire vulvar area. The hairs in this area are protective against infections or wounds from rubbing with clothing, and keep the environment of the vulva and vagina protected in these circumstances.
SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
From SEGO they report that the most common symptoms of vulvovaginal infections are: redness, itching, discomfort during urination, irritation of the vulvovaginal area and change in vaginal discharge, whiter and lumpier in the case of candidiasis or yellowish and frothy in other infections.
In the event of discomfort, or abnormal vaginal discharge, they recommend that women go as quickly as possible to the consultation of gynecology specialists so that they can assess whether there is a vaginal infection or microbiota imbalance.
María Jesús Cancelo, vice president of SEGO, explains that prevalence data is not known because many women self-medicate: “Which is a mistake”. “What we do know is that they are very frequent and that in gynecology we see these infections in one out of every five consultations”. Taking medications without health supervision can cause changes in the vaginal microbiota, or a drop in defenses. This recommendation would also apply in the event that abnormal symptoms are detected, such as changes in the abdomen and menstruation, or other gynecological pain.
The SEGO vice-president recalls that “treatment should not be given until there is certainty of the cause of this infection, because these can have different origins and the treatment given must be specific for each cause”, for which always recommends going to a specialist.
Any woman can suffer from these infections “but there are situations that increase the risks such as continuous taking antibiotics, having a disease that decreases defenses or being subjected to treatment with oncological drugs,” Cancelo points out.. In any case, summer brings together a series of factors that favor these infections.