How Summer Makes Bladder Leaks Worse

It's hot. It might be too hot, perhaps more so for some than for others.

It's that time of the year, you're looking for the fan, and an ice cream becomes a lot more tempting than a cuppa.

Spontaneous day trips. Garden parties. BBQs that start with one drink and end after sunset. But when you live with bladder leaks, summer doesn’t always feel so carefree.

You start noticing it more, that sudden need to go, the dribble after a laugh, the panic when there’s no loo nearby. For many, the heat doesn’t just bring sunburn. It brings symptoms.

You're not imagining it. Summer really can make incontinence worse.

In fact, bladder-related issues like UTIs have been shown to rise by around 15% when temperatures hit 27°C and above. That spike isn't just about infection risk, it's a sign your bladder is under more pressure in the heat.

Does the heat change things?

Naturally, the heat causes us to sweat, and our bodies lose water at a faster rate. You become dehydrated, your urine becomes more concentrated, and your bladder becomes irritated, which makes urgency worse.

How do we respond? Naturally, we drink more. Iced tea, a cold can of Coke, or a couple of beers in the sun. They go down easily, but they're all common bladder triggers. While we need to hydrate, we need to be mindful of what we are hydrating with. 

For some of us, we get the dreaded summer allergies. The hayfever sneeze, but imagine every sneeze comes with the added risk of a leak.

It's not all just physical. The tighter clothes. The longer walks. The awkward wait for public toilets. It all adds up. There’s a mental load. The stress of not knowing where the next toilet is. The hesitation before every trip out. The quiet fear of a visible leak.

Take Back Your Summer

Summer is not something to dread. Just adapt.

Remember, adaptation does not mean restriction. Watch what you put into your body, and see what triggers your incontinence. It's not a one-shoe-fits all condition. 

Your afternoon coffee, the third G&T, or the extra spice on your chicken wings. You don’t need to cut them out. Just know what they do.

Use protection that works with you, not against you. Breathable. Lightweight. There are solutions now that feel like a second skin, not a reminder of a problem.

No matter what form of incontinence you are dealing whether it's light or heavy. 

And if you’re unsure what works for you? Try a sample. No pressure. Just options.

It's Your Summer

Enjoy it, don't spend it on edge.

Leaks may feel hard to deal with in summer, but you are not built weak.

You don't have to sit out, make excuses or suffer in silence.

Take control. Make the tweaks. Use what’s available.

And most importantly? Keep showing up.

Bladder and bowel incontinence may be caused by conditions which can be treated medically. Please consult your physician for medical advice and guidance. All sources used in this article are cited below.