5 Ways You Can Protect Your Vagina From Infection This Summer, According to a Gynaecologist

Because of the high temperature, you should expect extra sweat down there, Dr. Gupta said, which can increase your risk of thrush and irritation. Her tip? Wear cotton underwear made from moisture-wicking material. And you're in luck! We have a whole list of these you can check out.

If you don't have underwear that wicks sweat, make sure you change out of anything that's wet, especially after a workout, Dr. Gupta advised. "If you can't shower, at least put on fresh, dry clothes," she said, explaining that, in addition to potential yeast and bacterial infections, the dampness can cause external irritation, itchiness, and redness — which does not sound fun!

By shaving the day before you plan on heading to the beach or your local pool, you'll decrease your risk of vaginal irritation or infected pores, Dr. Gupta said. "Open pores may not be ready for unfriendly skin environments such as sun, chlorine, and salt water," she explained, because they can cause stinging and burning.

So if you're the type of person who shaves the morning before a beach trip, you might want to reconsider since this could leave your skin vulnerable to irritation. If you do want to groom that morning, Dr. Gupta recommends using hair clippers, which "are just close enough to the skin without opening up the pores." And if you get waxed, do that at least 24 hours prior, she said.

Similar to wet underwear, moisture in wet bathing suit bottoms is a breeding ground for yeast to grow and can also cause bacterial infections (i.e. thrush), Dr. Gupta said. "If you're out in the sun, your bathing suit will likely dry quickly and shouldn't pose too much of a problem," she noted. "But, even then, I recommend changing out of it as soon as you can." You should plan to rinse off and change into dry clothes before you head home, Dr. Gupta advised. And if you're spending an entire day at the beach or pool, consider bringing a dry bathing suit to replace your wet one with.

Sand can get into unwanted places like your vaginal canal, Dr. Gupta said, and this can cause irritation during sex. She clarified to POPSUGAR that there's no risk of infection from the sand, just discomfort. A quick rinse will get rid of what's on the outside of the vagina, but you may want to soak in a bath. "Refrain from sex until you've soaked in a tub or immersed yourself in a body of water so the friction doesn't cause tears on the vaginal wall," she advised. "The sand will usually come out on its own."

Lakes and oceans are teaming with bacteria, Dr. Gupta said. So are pools and hot tubs. "The chemicals used to keep pools and hot tubs clean are harsh and bad for your vaginal health," she noted. "They disrupt your pH levels and can lead to infection and irritation." Be especially wary of sex in hot tubs, because it can increase your risk of hot tub folliculitis. This, she said, is an infection that affects the hair follicles because of the overgrowth of bacteria in warm water.

"Anything just involving hands is OK for these environments, but I advise against penetration," she continued. Having sex in any body of water, shower included, can sometimes cause painful, unwanted friction due to added chemicals and salts (water can also wash away natural lubricant), she added. Sex under a clean shower is perfectly fine, though, she said.

Dr. Gupta wanted to share this reminder as well: if you do choose to have sex in water, don't forget to use condoms, because you're still at risk for pregnancy and STIs.