Saunas, slopes and mulled wine: your winter bladder plan

Women with a sensitive bladder know that winter has a reputation. The reasons behind it, from cold to sitting still and drinking less, are covered in our seasonal guide. This article is the practical sequel: real winter situations, one by one, and what to do in each.

Is a sauna or hot tub OK if you are prone to cystitis?

A hot sauna is one of winter’s great pleasures, and most women with a sensitive bladder can enjoy them. What matters is what happens around the heat.

• Drink before you go in and after you come out. A few sessions in the sauna leave you sweating more than you realise, and concentrated urine is the last thing a sensitive bladder wants.
• Go to the loo first, so you are not sitting in the heat holding on.
• Sit on your own towel, not straight on the bench, and use a fresh one for each session.
• Get out of a wet swimsuit quickly after the hot tub or spa pool, then shower and dry well.
• Save the fizz for later. Alcohol plus heat is a dehydrating pair, so enjoy that glass after the spa, with water alongside.

How do I look after my bladder on a ski trip?

Mountain days are long, cold and surprisingly thirsty. Dry alpine air and hours of exercise draw out fluid, while the thought of one small toilet at the top of the lift quietly persuades many of us to drink less. That trade-off is the one to avoid.

1. Dress in layersA thin merino or synthetic base layer that wicks sweat, then a fleece and your jacket. Choose salopettes that are easy to get out of in a small cubicle.
2. Change the damp layer at lunchPack spare knickers and a dry base-layer top in your rucksack. Swapping at the mountain restaurant takes two minutes and keeps you warm and dry all afternoon.
3. Drink at every stopA small insulated bottle in your jacket pocket, a glass of water with every hot chocolate and a refill at lunch.
4. Use every toilet you passGo at the mountain restaurant and at the bottom of the lift, even if you only half need to. Holding on for a whole run is never worth it.
5. Warm up before après-skiOut of ski kit, into a warm shower and dry clothes first, then the bar.

Mulled wine, mince pies and party season: what should I watch out for?

December brings the office party, the Christmas market, the family dinner and a fridge full of leftovers. Lovely, but it is also the month when bladder irritants pile up: alcohol, coffee, spicy food, fizzy drinks and plenty of sugar, often on the same evening.

• Alternate every drink with a glass of water. It is the simplest party rule there is, and you will feel better the next morning too.
• Go easy on mulled wine and bubbles. Both combine alcohol with sugar or fizz; one glass, then a soft drink, is a sensible rhythm.
• Choose the milder dish when curry or chilli is on the menu, if you know spice bothers you.
• Do not hold on through the speeches. Slip out when you need to.
• After a late night with your partner, pass urine before you go to sleep. Our guide to cystitis after sex explains why.

For more ideas on bladder-friendly food and drink all year round, read our diet article.

What does a bladder-friendly winter day look like?

Products readers choose in the UK this winter

Good habits do the heavy lifting in winter. Many readers like to pair them with a steady daily supplement routine, and among UK readers our editors single out Cystobact: D-mannose, cranberry extract 4:1, strawberry-tree leaf and citrus bioflavonoids in a three-capsule day.

It fits a winter week neatly: two capsules before lunch and one before dinner, each with a glass of water, which quietly adds two more glasses to your day. One bottle of 30 capsules covers ten days, about the length of a ski holiday plus the journey. See how to take it and the current price.

Frequently asked questions