How to Have a Hot Girl Summer (And Keep Vaginal Infections From Ruining the Party)

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links (at no additional cost to you).

Summer officially starts TODAY, and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some fun in the sun, getting my flirt on, and putting my butt in whatever body of water is available to me. 

What ISN’T hot about summer? Infections like Urinary Tract infections (UTIs), Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), and yeast infections, all of which thrive in the summer thanks to heat, humidity, and moist environments (looking at you, itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini). 

While our bodies, especially our vaginas, usually do a great job of keeping themselves healthy and balanced, some of our favorite summer activities can wreak serious havoc. The summer heat, sweating, and prolonged wear of wet swimsuits can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the vagina. Combine that with summer sweet treats and cheeky beverages, and we’ve got ourselves a regular ole shit show. 

As your friendly neighborhood recurring vaginal infection expert, I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite tips for preventing infections during your Hot Girl Summer - and a couple for how to stay comfy if symptoms flare up!

Wear breathable fabrics

I recommend underwear made of breathable fabric like cotton and bamboo. They are breathable and absorbent. Bamboo also keeps the vulva cool when it’s hot and sweaty down below, and cotton offers the best breathability among all raw materials. Synthetic materials like nylon and satin are not breathable and can trap moisture and heat. The vulva is a sensitive baby, and prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to irritation and infection.  If you can afford organic, that would be even better (I LOVE my Pact undies).

Take a shower after swimming

Take a shower after swimming to remove sand, salt, and chlorine, which are all very irritating to the vulva. Chemicals from pools and bacteria from the ocean and lakes can also get absorbed into your swimsuit's fabric, creating a damp, warm place for budding germs to turn into infections. If you don’t have time or access to a shower, you can freshen up with water wipes and change into an extra pair of clean undies! Which leads me to…

Change undies often

I sometimes change my undies 3-4 times per day! Change them after you swim, after you workout, after you get particularly sweaty, or whenever you damn feel like it. Wearing dirty underwear increases your risk of skin irritation, vulvar dermatitis, odors, yeast infections, and bacterial infections.  I keep an extra pair of undies in my car, gym bag, and backpack - just in case. Bonus points if you have a cute, sassy pouch to keep them in!

Wash them just as often

When it comes to keeping your chonies clean, make sure that you’re using fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent.  Fragrant detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets have chemicals, dyes, and perfumes that can cause irritation, itching, and allergic reactions.  Be sure to wash them on a full-length hot cycle (yes, I’m talking to my fellow “speed wash” junkies) and dry them on hot as well.

Avoid pads/liners when not necessary

Many people who have vaginal discharge may be tempted to wear pads or panty liners either due to cultural norms and pressure or discomfort, but I recommend changing your underwear more frequently rather than using pads or liners for extended periods of time. The vulva is sensitive, and prolonged exposure to moisture leads to rashes, irritation, itching, and infections. If you must use liners, use organic ones like these or these. 

Opt for loose-fitting clothing, preferably made of natural materials

Let your vagina breathe! As mentioned before, our vaginas are self-cleaning, and they harbor both good and bad bacteria, but harmful bacteria tend to thrive in warm and moist environments. Think denim shorts, polyester bike shorts, or that new bodysuit you just ordered.  Instead, opt for dresses and skirts when possible, especially in warmer climates. 

If you work out in tight clothing, make sure to change out of them immediately after exercising, and give yourself a wipe down if you don’t have access to a shower. Don’t go straight from pilates to the farmer’s market in your cute little workout set (I really do love attacking myself on my own damn blog, don’t I?).

Go Commando

Whenever possible, go without underwear at all! This allows the vagina to breathe and keeps moisture from building up or creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. If you’re uncomfortable going out and about sans undies, try leaving them off just when you’re at home or while sleeping.  

If you don’t like the idea of sleeping in the nude, wear clean, loose-fitting pajama bottoms or shorts.

Drink lots of water 

Staying hydrated helps keep your whole body happy, not just your vagina. 

Take your probiotics

I take daily oral probiotics designed specifically for vaginal health, and I use vaginal probiotic suppositories whenever I feel like my vaginal microbiome needs some additional TLC, such as after my period, after a day at the river, or any other, particularly “fun” days! After any kind of summer fun, you may also want to consider the following… 

Maintain your pH

Boric acid suppositories can help keep your vagina at its optimal pH (3.8-5.0) and keep the harmful bacteria from taking advantage of the aforementioned hot and humid environments. You can also use vaginal pH test strips to keep an eye on your pH to see if anything is getting thrown out of whack. 

Now, to manage symptoms in case of a flare-up, I recommend the following:

Use fragrance-free products ONLY for symptom relief

Stick to fragrance-free products when selecting relief products. I know this can be challenging when products containing lidocaine or hydrocortisone often include fragrance as well, but it really is best to avoid adding any additional irritants to the delicate skin of the vulva.  The best natural option I’ve found is Good Clean Love’s Relief Gel.

Try hydrating balms or suppositories

Nobody likes a dry, uncomfortable vagina! While there are lots of options for vaginal moisturizers, I personally like to use Bezwecken Hydration Ovals 2x Plus Hydrating Suppositories at night and V MAGIC by Medicine Mama Organic Vulva Balm.

And finally, when all else fails…

Use ice packs

Whenever my symptoms were unmanageable, I found using ice packs to be a great option.  I used them for sleep, and honestly would just walk around with ice packs in my pants all day. These are great for sleeping because they stay cold for hours, while these don’t last as long, but since they’re softer, they’re easier to tuck into pants. Whichever option you go with, you’ll want to wrap them in a towel or washcloth so that you don’t burn your skin. 

Now, go on and have yourself a hot girl summer! As always, my DMs are open on Instagram @ageofsexploration, or you can email me at cadysmoore@gmail.com.