As you exercise, be mindful of how your body feels and continue practicing good hydration and bathroom habits to help keep symptoms in check.
Wear Breathable Clothes
Pants that are too tight or don’t allow for airflow can trap heat and sweat in the genital area, creating a moist environment where bacteria can thrive.
Take Water and Bathroom Breaks
If you get thirsty or feel the need to pee, don’t wait until your workout is over to rehydrate or go to the bathroom.
If you feel an urgent need to pee — a common symptom of UTIs — urinate as soon as possible. Holding it in can worsen symptoms and increase your risk of future infections.
Listen to Your Body
You know your body best. So listen to it if you notice a certain exercise causes pain, irritation, or discomfort. This may be a sign it’s time to rest or stop the activity altogether.
Making some modifications may help make exercise more comfortable if you have an active UTI. For example, switching to a padded bicycle seat may help reduce friction while cycling. High-impact and high-intensity exercises can put too much pressure on the bladder, so try dialing back the intensity or switching to low-impact exercises until symptoms improve.
It’s also a good idea to track UTI symptoms, so you can see how different types of exercise affect them. “If symptoms worsen with activity, it is best to wait until treatment takes effect before resuming this activity,” says Dr. Badalato.
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