How often should you be changing underwear? Get the expert's opinion

Wednesday 05th May 2021 08:05 EDT
 

Women's hygiene and health is an ongoing discussion and opinions come from all over the place. The most commonly asked question is how often should one be changing their underwear to maintain a healthy vagina? An article by FEMAIL brought in British cosmetic doctor Dr Shirin Lakhani's opinion, who believes it is vital to change undergarments every 12 months.
The Elite Aesthetics specialist says there is some research suggesting a washing machine won't always clean all of the bacteria such as E.Coli off of the underwear. She says, “It is both the healthy naturally-occurring bacteria that we all have, as well as more sinister bacteria that can be a result of infections such as thrush and STIs.”
So how does underwear impact your health and how can women ensure a clean vagina? The key is to wash bras every four wears, and replace after a year, says Dr Lakhani. She says they should be washed at 30 degrees in order “to avoid the bra from shrinking or damaging the delicate fabric. Your bra is in close contact with your skin, your nipples and very close to your armpits for prolonged periods of time. As a result it comes into contact with a lot of dead skin from these areas, as well as sweat.”
Dr Lakhani says, “Similarly, nipples can leak fluid (especially after childbirth), and so in order to avoid a build-up of bacteria which can result in body acne and breakouts, I would advise washing bras after every three-four wears (more than this for breastfeeding mothers).” She adds, “The bra is designed to be worn to support the delicate tissues and muscles of the breast and so over time and frequent washing the fabric sags and reduces in effectiveness. For both of these reasons I would advise replacing bras every year.”
Now, the style of underwear does not really matter, she says. “The crucial thing is that whatever style of underwear it is still a breeding ground for bacteria which even washing in a washing machine won't always rid it completely from.”
Meanwhile, another expert, Stephanie Taylor of pelvic healthcare company Kegel8 says choosing specific materials could help maintain a healthy vagina. She says, “When making your next purchase of pants, look beyond the cut, fashion and colour and consider how the material will affect your skin. Rough and scratchy materials can cause rubbing and discomfort, so softer materials are a better choice. Lacy or mesh pants are cute for a special occasion, but you shouldn't be wearing these on the daily.”

Finding the right fit for underwear is important too. Stephanie says, “If you are wearing the wrong pant size and they fit just a little too snug, it can not only interfere with your daily comfort and confidence, but can also harm your vaginal health. Fabric that is too tight on your skin can trap in heat and moisture and cause an imbalance in your vagina's PH levels.”
Going commando is another great option. Stephanie says, “Generally, if you have a healthy vagina, going commando will neither positively nor negatively affect vaginal health, so it's entirely down to personal preference.”


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