What’s Up, Down There: Pool Season Edition

Pool days, beach trips, lake swims, summer is basically a season-long invitation to be in the water. And we are here for it. But it can also bring with it some concerns for your vaginal health. No one wants to spend vacation dealing with an itch, odor, or a UTI. Read up on our OB/GYN approved tips for how to care for down there this summer. 

First, a Quick Refresh on Your Vaginal pH 

Your vagina is a remarkably self-sufficient ecosystem. It maintains a slightly acidic environment — with a pH between roughly 3.8 and 4.5 — that supports beneficial bacteria (primarily Lactobacillus) and naturally guards against infections. Think of it as a built-in security system: when it’s balanced, it does its job quietly and efficiently. 

The problem? That balance is sensitive. Introduce the right (or wrong) chemical, an unfamiliar bacteria, or a prolonged damp environment, and that carefully maintained pH can shift — opening the door to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and other kinds of irritation. Summer water activities are a surprisingly common culprit. 

Not All Water Is Equal — Here’s What Each Type Does 

Pool, ocean, hot tub, or lake — each body of water interacts with your vaginal health a little differently. Here’s the breakdown. 

• Chlorinated Pools: Chlorine keeps pools safe by killing harmful pathogens, but it doesn’t discriminate. It can also disrupt your vaginal pH and strip away protective good bacteria. For women whose pH is already sensitive, even a well-maintained pool can trigger irritation, dryness, or a yeast infection. 

• Ocean & Lakes: Ocean and lake water contains its own microorganisms, and after heavy rain, bacterial levels can spike. Swim at designated beach areas and check local water quality advisories. 

• Hot Tubs & Spa: Warm water creates an ideal breeding environment for bacteria — including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a chlorine-resistant organism linked to skin and urinary tract infections. Even well-maintained hot tubs can have fluctuating chemical levels. Limit soak time, and always use the bathroom after getting out. 

The Real Culprit: The Wet Swimsuit 

Here’s something that might surprise you: the water itself is often less of a factor than what happens after you get out of it. Staying in a wet swimsuit — even for an hour or two — creates exactly the kind of warm, moist environment that yeast and bacteria love. 

The combination of residual moisture, heat, and the friction of wet fabric against sensitive skin is a recipe for irritation and infection. It’s one of the most common triggers for summertime yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis — and one of the easiest to prevent. 

Signs Something May Be Off After Swimming 

• Vaginal or vulvar itching or burning, especially after a swim 

• Unusual discharge — thick and white, or thin and grayish with an odor 

• Redness, swelling, or irritation of the vulvar area 

• Burning or urgency when urinating (possible UTI) 

A general sense that things smell or feel “different” than your normal 

If any of these symptoms persist for more than a couple of days, or if they’re accompanied by fever or pelvic pain, contact your Axia Women’s Health provider. Some infections clear on their own, but others — particularly UTIs — need treatment before they progress. 

Can You Swim If You Already Have an Infection? 

The short answer: it’s generally okay to swim with a yeast infection, but it’s not ideal. Chlorinated water can worsen irritation on already inflamed tissue. If you’re using a topical antifungal treatment, water can wash it away before it has time to work. And the wet swimsuit scenario? It’s exactly the kind of environment that allows the infection to linger longer. 

For bacterial vaginosis, the same caution applies — and for UTIs, swimming in natural bodies of water while infected is best avoided, both for your own comfort and to minimize bacterial exposure. 

When in doubt, give your body a few days to heal. 

Your Summer Vaginal Health Playbook 

None of this means you need to skip the pool. It means you go in informed and you have a simple post-swim routine. 

1. Change out of your wet swimsuit as soon as possible. 

This is the single most effective thing you can do. Bring a dry change of clothes to the pool or beach and make changing a non-negotiable part of your post-swim routine. Don’t let a wet suit sit for hours. 

1. Rinse with fresh water after swimming. 

A quick rinse with clean, lukewarm water removes chlorine, salt, or lake residue before it can continue to affect your pH. 

1. Urinate after swimming — especially after a hot tub. 

Urinating helps flush any bacteria that may have entered near the urethra during your swim. It’s the same principle as urinating after sex, and it’s one of the most effective and overlooked UTI prevention strategies. 

1. Stay hydrated. 

Summer heat and physical activity lead to dehydration, and dehydration means urinating less — which gives bacteria more opportunity to linger in the urinary tract. Keep water with you and drink consistently throughout the day. 

1. Skip scented products on your vulvar area. 

Scented sprays, feminine wipes, or heavily fragranced sunscreens near the vulva can disrupt your pH just as much as the water itself. Opt for fragrance-free products in that area and skip any internal “freshening” entirely. 

1. Choose breathable swimwear and wash it after every wear. 

Tight, synthetic fabrics trap moisture and heat against the skin. Look for suits with a cotton or moisture-wicking gusset when possible, and always wash your swimsuit after each use — bacteria can persist in the fabric even after it dries. 

1. Know your baseline — and notice when something’s off. 

Every woman’s vaginal health is a little different. The better you know your own normal — your typical discharge, scent, and comfort level — the faster you’ll recognize when something has shifted. Trust that instinct. It’s usually right. 

When to Call Your Provider 

Most summertime vaginal irritation is mild and resolves quickly once you’re out of the water and back in dry clothes. But some situations should prompt a call to your Axia Women’s Health provider: 

Don’t Wait — Call Your Provider If You Notice: 

• Symptoms that persist more than a few days or seem to be getting worse 

• Pain, significant swelling, or discharge that’s new or unusual for you 

• Burning with urination, increased urgency, or cloudy/strong-smelling urine 

• Fever, chills, or back/flank pain (these may indicate a kidney infection) 

• Symptoms that return repeatedly after water exposure 

Recurring infections aren’t something to simply manage season after season. If you notice a pattern — yeast infections every summer, UTIs after every lake trip — that’s a conversation worth having with your provider. There are often straightforward steps that can break the cycle. 

Summer is meant to be enjoyed. With a little awareness and a post-swim routine you can do in five minutes, your vaginal health doesn’t have to be the thing that cuts it short. As always — no question is too small, and no symptom is too embarrassing to bring up with your Axia Women’s Health provider. That’s exactly what we’re here for!