When “too clean” becomes dangerous: A urologist’s warning about recurrent UTIs

This story from urologist Dr Varinder Virdi reads like a warning we were never taught in school. A 40‑year‑old professional corporate woman, without diabetes, kidney stones, or obvious health problems, kept getting urinary tract infections (UTIs) for months.

She was disciplined, health‑conscious, and determined to “stay clean” – and that one intention almost cost her life.

How a “simple” UTI turned dangerous

For about six months, she battled repeated UTIs. Each time, antibiotics eased the burning, urgency, and discomfort, but the relief never lasted. She blamed long office hours, stress, and the common belief that “UTIs are normal in women.” So she pushed through the pain, took another course of medicines, and went back to work.

There was no dramatic trigger, just a slow, quiet worsening that felt easy to ignore.

Then one night, everything changed. She developed high fever, chills, vomiting-and severe weakness. By the time she reached the hospital, the infection had climbed from her bladder to her kidneys and spilled into her bloodstream. She was no longer dealing with a routine UTI; she was fighting urosepsis – a life‑threatening infection that can lead to organ failure and ICU admission if not treated urgently.

She survived, but only because she reached medical care in time.

The surprising cause: being “too clean”

When Dr Virdi and his team looked deeper, her numbers and lifestyle did not match the severity of her illness. She did not smoke, did not drink heavily-and did not have major risk factors that usually raise suspicion. The turning point came when they explored her daily habits. The issue was not her corporate job, not her diet, and not “dirty” hygiene. It was one quiet routine she had picked up from a friend’s advice.For the last six months, she had been using an intimate ‑wash every three to four days. In her mind, this was an upgrade, a modern--hygienic step to stay fresh-and odour‑free. She did not know that over‑cleaning the intimate area can strip away the body’s natural protective barrier. The vagina-and nearby skin host friendly bacteria and maintain a slightly acidic environment that work together like an in‑built security system.

When strong cleansers or frequent washes disturb this balance, harmful bacteria can flourish, increasing the risk of vaginal infections and UTIs.

Why “more cleaning” is not always better

Many women carry silent guilt when they develop a UTI, assuming it happened because they were not clean enough. In reality, the problem can sometimes be the opposite – too much cleaning with the wrong products. Scented washes, harsh soaps--and frequent use of intimate cleansers can dry the skin, kill protective bacteria, and make it easier for disease‑causing germs to move up the urinary tract.

The body’s natural ecosystem works best with gentle care, not constant scrubbing-and chemical exposure.Healthy intimate hygiene does not require complicated routines. In most cases, washing the external genital area with lukewarm water, using mild, unscented soap only on the outside if needed, wearing breathable cotton underwear-and changing out of damp clothes quickly is enough. Internal douching and routine use of perfumed washes are not recommended by many specialists because they offer no health benefit and can quietly raise infection risk.

Clean should feel comfortable, not stripped, dry, or irritated.

What this story means for women

Dr Varinder Virdi shared this case to make one point clear: clean does not always mean safe-and UTIs are not always caused by dirt or poor hygiene. Sometimes, they arise from habits adopted with good intentions, especially when marketing and peer advice sound more convincing than medical guidance. The woman in this story was careful, disciplined-and sincerely trying to look after herself.

She almost ended up in the ICU not because she was irresponsible, but because no one told her that “extra clean” can cross into harmful.If your body is sending repeated warning signs – burning while passing urine, frequent urge to pee, pelvic discomfort, or cloudy, foul‑smelling urine – it is never “normal” or something to keep tolerating. Recurrent UTIs deserve a proper medical evaluation-they are a huge problem if they keep recurring. not just another random product or home remedy. A short appointment with a urologist or gynaecologist can help identify triggers, review hygiene habits-and set up a safe, simple routine that respects the body’s own protection.