Have you ever thought, “Am I doing this underwear wrong?” It may be an integral part of your routine, but it’s not something many people know about.
For example, do you know there are certain materials that are healthier for you or certain times of the day when underwear is better, or is there some kind of expiration date on underwear?
These unwritten underwear rules can have an impact on your vaginal health — and, depending on the style, can even affect your mood!
Choose Natural Fabrics such as Cotton
You’ve probably heard this before, but with all the cute styles of different fabrics out there, it’s worth remembering that cotton is the best lingerie material.
The vulva is a very sensitive and delicate area, similar to your facial lips. You definitely want to treat it gently.
And what fabrics are the simplest and softest to touch your skin? Yes, cotton. They are also breathable and absorbent, which can help prevent fungal infections.
Since vaginal discharge is healthy — similar to the moisture that is always present in the mouth — you want underwear to gently absorb extra moisture.
Synthetic materials like nylon and spandex don’t allow the area to breathe. Instead, they trap heat and moisture, creating a perfect breeding ground for yeast infections.
Underwear That Fits Well and Absorbs Moisture is Best for Exercise
Again, whether or not to wear underwear while working out is a personal choice. If you’re wearing shorts with moisture-wicking underwear, you don’t need to wear them.
Wearing something between you and the fabric may be more comfortable and a healthier way to sweat it out. Typically, it is a high-tech polyester that is lightweight and slippery.
If you choose to wear a pair, the most important thing is to make sure it fits properly and doesn’t cause chafing.
Once you find your ideal size, you can choose from a wide selection of sports-specific underwear.
Consider Changing Your Underwear Every Year
That sounds a bit excessive, especially for something that gets washed frequently. Even clean underwear can harbor up to 10,000 live bacteria.
This is because there are bacteria in washing machine water — about a million bacteria in just 2 tablespoons of used water! Additionally, approximately 83% of “clean” underwear contains up to 10,000 bacteria.
Apart from bacteria, there is a possibility that your underwear contains dirt. There is about a tenth of a gram of feces in the average pair of underwear.
Throwing away your underwear every year isn’t the most environmentally friendly choice, and if you don’t have a bacteria problem down there, you probably don’t need to clean out your drawers every year.
But if you frequently experience BV or other symptoms, experts say you may want to change your underwear annually.
Use Laundry Detergent
Pay as much attention as possible to the area of skin “down there.” Use a hypoallergenic powder made for sensitive skin — no dyes and fragrances. Also avoid rinsing clothes if your underwear is also on them. If you rinse your panties, you risk ruining them, as they will become worn out, and you may be exposed to chemicals that, when reacting with the band, will cause an allergic skin reaction.
