Your clothes can spike chances of UTI 

Rain and humidity make for a perfect breeding ground for bacterial growth, leading to infection. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), in particular, increases in incidence during this time and women, more than men, are prone to it. What’s more trendy, figure-hugging jeans and other tight clothing further increases chances of UTI.

What doctors say?

• Doctors say that one in five women suffer from UTI at least once in their lifetime.
• The risk prevails right from birth paediatricians often advise parents to look out for their baby girls from contacting UTI.
• Urologist Jaswant Patil said about UTI.
• “In women, the urethra is shorter than in men, and is closer to the anal opening. So they are more prone to infections”.
• In addition, improper cleaning techniques and exposure in an unhygienic swimming pool can increase chances of infection.
• Gynaecologist Ranjana Das said that tight clothing that traps moisture increases chances of UTI.
• “We see a lot of young college-going girls complaining of UTI.
• Wearing tight-fitting jeans that go unwashed for days is a big culprit because it does not allow ventilation and makes a conducive environment for bacterial growth.
• Using unclean washrooms is another reason,” the doctor said.
• Coming back to clothing, Patil also said that tight clothes “compromise blood circulation which leads to lowering of local immunity and makes one prone to infections”.
• “Women with menstrual problems are more prone and should be cautious,” he added.
• Nylon undergarments should also be avoided.

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Gynaecologist Priti Vyas:

• Gynaecologist Priti Vyas said chances of UTI increase with advancing age.
• “More women than men suffer from UTI and the numbers do not neutralise with age.
• In fact, as women reach peri-menopausal and menopausal stage, their estrogen levels in the vagina dips, thereby making the urethra more prone to catching urinary tract infection,” Vyas told this correspondent.
• Similarly, lower estrogen levels in the very young makes baby girls more susceptible to such infections.
• Clothes can also play a big role in making for a perfect breeding ground for infections.
• Vyas also has a word of advice against certain products.
• “Female hygiene sprays, scented douches and scented bath products can sometimes cause severe inflammation and irritation; so they should be avoided,” she said.