Regular festivalgoers will know what a pain it can be to pee there, whether it means losing your spot in the crowd or enduring grotty chemical toilets.
Even if you look past these inconveniences, though, a weekend of dancing and debauchery can play havoc with your urinary health.
And with more than 210,000 people heading to Worthy Farm this week, some could end up with a nasty case of Glasto bladder.
This catch-all term describes the range of issues that could arise after a heavy few days at a festival, from UTIs caused by dehydration to thrush caused by your ‘fit.
Thankfully, there are ways to avoid an unwanted (and uncomfortable) souvenir from your time in Somerset that are as easy as pitching a pop-up tent.
Here’s what to look out for, along with tips to keep your bladder functioning like a Pyramid Stage roadie getting ready for the headline act.
Dehydration
Carmel Deane, general practitioner nurse and Femfresh ambassador, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Dehydration is a significant concern at festivals and can increase your risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
‘To mitigate this, it’s crucial to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol, as these can contribute to dehydration.’
Symptoms of a UTI include a sudden need to pee and pain or a burning sensation when peeing, but in some cases can lead to a temperature, abdominal pain, or blood in your urine. If you’re struggling with more severe effects, seek out the festival’s medical staff for guidance.
In terms of prevention, while you may not want to eschew the pints altogether (however warm they may be) the ‘zebra-striping’ technique where you have a water between every alcoholic beverage is a good workaround. Make use of the water stations dotted around the site too, and consider a hydration backpack or easy-to-carry water bottle.
Clothing
Wellies are a must for a UK festival, but it’s also worth considering how your look impacts your urinary health – tight bottoms, scratchy sequins and certain fabrics are a major no-no.
‘Wearing tight or uncomfortable clothing can create an environment conducive to yeast and bacterial growth, leading to thrush and other infections,’ explains Carmel.
The symptoms of thrush include irritation and itching, soreness when you pee, and redness or swelling of the vulva, vagina or penis.
And since these are the exact opposite of conducive to a fun gig experience, it’s recommends to maintain your intimate health by going for loose, breathable fabrics and changing out of damp clothing as soon as possible.
Toilet habits
You may be tempted to hold it in when you need to pee at a festival, either because toilets are too far away or you want to keep your place in the crowd.
Yet according to Carmel, this ‘can stretch and weaken the bladder, increasing the risk of UTIs.’
She advises: ‘Make a habit of visiting the restroom regularly, even if it means planning your schedule around restroom breaks. Your bladder health will thank you.’
When you do go to the loo, try to also be careful about cleanliness (which we know is easier said than done given the state of the facilities a few days in).
‘Using unclean toilets and not wiping properly can introduce harmful bacteria to the urinary tract, leading to infections,’ Carmel says.
The ‘shake’ method isn’t going to cut it, so carry wipes with you (or a flush-friendly product like Femfresh Tissue Foam or Luna Daily Spray to Wipe) and ensure you use hand sanitiser every time.
Sex
If you’re considering a campsite fumble (as 39% of adult festival attendees have enjoyed) make sure you take precautions – and we don’t just mean contraception.
‘Festival sex can heighten the risk of urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections,’ says Carmel.
Alongside barrier protection like condoms or femidoms, intimate wipes or washing before and after sex helps minimise the risk.
Drug use
It should go without saying, but you shouldn’t take illegal drugs at Glastonbury or otherwise, and the festival has police officers on-site to deal with drug offences in accordance with national guidelines.
However, recreational drug-taking does happen, and ketamine use in particular has doubled since 2016 according to government figures.
Alongside potential side effects like an increased heart rate, memory loss, nausea, depression, and numbness (which leaves you susceptible to injuries) it can cause irreparable problems with your bladder.
Dr Masarat Jilani, doctor at Jude, explains: ‘Chronic use of ketamine means that users end up excreting a dangerous amount of toxic metabolites.
‘These metabolites cause irritation and inflammation to the lining of the bladder, which can damage the bladder lining can cause it to stiffen, making it unable to fully expand.’
Symptoms include more frequent and immediate need to pee, pain while urinating, blood in your pee and incontinence. If you notice a change in your habits and have been taking ketamine, seek medical help at Glastonbury’s Welfare, Worthy Rest or medical services areas. You need to be honest about what you’ve taken so you can be treated appropriately as, in a worst-case scenario, you may need surgical intervention.
It’s really better to be safe than sorry, though, and the advice is to steer clear of any harmful substances.
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