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Maintaining good intimate hygiene is extremely important for women. Taking good care of this delicate area helps prevent inflammation, infections, unpleasant odors and is certainly one of the ways to prevent cystitis and urinary tract infections. Are there cases, however, in which we can overdo the hygiene? And what could this lead to?
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Maintaining good intimate hygiene is extremely important for women. Taking good care of this delicate area helps prevent inflammation, infections, unpleasant odors and is certainly one of the ways to prevent cystitis and urinary tract infections. Are there cases, however, in which we can overdo the hygiene? And what could this lead to?

Cystitis

Cystitis is one of the most common uroinfections and is an inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Depending on the duration of this inflammation, cystitis is conditionally divided into acute and chronic. More common of the two types is acute cystitis. In 80-90% of cases, the typical causative agent of cystitis and other uroinfections is the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), which has entered the urinary tract.

Symptoms of cystitis are a burning sensation when urinating, heaviness and discomfort in the pelvic area, frequent urges to urinate, sometimes even blood in the urine. Cystitis occurs more often in women due to their anatomical features. The female urinary tract is much shorter (4 cm) than the male (20 cm), which predisposes various microorganisms to easily enter through it and infect the bladder. Women suffer about 30 times more than men from cystitis. In addition to the discomfort it causes us, cystitis can also be quite stubborn – it often happens that the infection repeats (relapses). Incorrectly treated cystitis becomes chronic in 85% of cases. It is important to note that through appropriate treatment combined with prevention, the frequency and intensity of recurrent episodes can be reduced.

Good hygiene

The number one rule for a cystitis-free life is good personal hygiene. Escherichia coli is the most common cause of cystitis, the bacterium lives in the colon and outside around the anus. In some cases, it can “migrate” to the urethra (urinary canal), from where it can reach the bladder and cause cystitis. How does this happen?

• Improper wiping after using the toilet can carry bacteria from the anus to the urethra. Remember – the correct direction is front to back.
• Sex facilitates the transfer of bacteria from the anus to the urethra. This happens when alternating between anal and vaginal sex, as this helps bacteria to move from one place to another. This type of sex-related infection even has its own term: postcoital cystitis. That is why it is important for women to urinate after intercourse, because their urine is sterile and thus “washes” any harmful bacteria that may have penetrated into the urethra and bladder.
• Some mechanical contraceptives such as the diaphragm can lead to cystitis.
• Ill-fitting underwear can also promote cystitis. The appropriate choice is underwear made of natural materials.

Imbalance and cystitis

When we talk about good hygiene, it is good to ask ourselves where is the border and when do we cross it? What is the relationship between the vagina, bladder and … cystitis.

Bacteria and microorganisms live in our body – there are such in the stomach, in the vagina and even in the end of the urethra. We rarely think of them as a good thing and tend to attack them with various weapons such as antibacterial wipes, soaps, disinfectants. Many of them, however, have a role in maintaining the balance in our organism and these are the so-called “good bacteria”. At the heart of our health is the maintenance of this balance in order for our organism to be protected.

While the bladder and upper urinary tract are sterile, the vagina can easily become a reservoir of potential “bad bacteria.” Any change in the vaginal microflora poses a risk of disturbing the balance and populating it with bacteria, which then, due to the proximity of the vagina and the entrance to the urethra, can also comfortably settle in the bladder.

But what causes a change in the vaginal microflora? The reasons are many, and one of the possible ones can be the excessive and frequent use of female intimate douches and intimate cosmetics, which can lead to a change in the normal pH of the vagina.

When we talk about excessive personal hygiene, we are talking about cosmetic products, which, if used excessively, can disrupt the balance of the vaginal microflora. The vaginal microflora is protected by the so-called lactic acid bacteria that act as a natural barrier. Excessive use of products for intimate hygiene leads to a violation of this natural barrier – the “good bacteria” are washed away. This, in turn, creates a favorable environment for the colonization of “bad bacteria”, which, due to the short distance, can easily reach the bladder and cause cystitis.

If it is still imperative to use intimate hygiene, it is good to focus on products that do not contain additional perfume substances.

Important addition:

Don’t overdo it! Like anything else, too much and too much hygiene has its risks. It is possible to disturb the balance of the microflora and “enjoy” additional discomfort afterwards.

Don’t keep the “bad” in you! Emptying the bladder is important for the prevention of cystitis. If we “squeeze” for hours, we create a favorable environment for the development of bacteria, because we deprive the body of the useful “washing” of bacteria from the urine when urinating.

Use the power of water – take enough water and fluids in general to ensure normal kidney function and avoid urine concentration, which is another sure prerequisite for cystitis. The optimal amount of fluids to be taken is between a liter and a half and two liters per day. Of course, we don’t just mean water as a liquid, you can also consume herbal teas, natural juices and more.

And finally…

Coping with cystitis is complex – from following the correct behavior for prevention (i.e. precautions) to appropriate treatment. As prevention, we cover all the recommendations described above in order to avoid complications. Many plant extracts such as cranberry, white birch, bearberry or buchu have proven beneficial effects for prevention and coping with acute discomfort in cystitis. Observance of personal hygiene is important for the prevention of cystitis, but do not overdo it and be careful with the intimate cosmetics you choose, so as not to disturb the balance of the urogenital microflora.

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