8 Underwear Rules to Live by for a Healthy Vagina

Did you know that certain fabrics are better for you, that going commando is better at certain times, and that underwear has an expiration date?

These unspoken underwear rules can affect your vaginal health and, depending on the style, even your mood!

So we did a lot of research, read several underwear hygiene studies, and spoke with an OB-GYN to come up with eight underwear rules to follow.

Choose natural fabrics, preferably cotton

You've probably heard it before, but with all the cute styles in a variety of fabrics available, it's worth repeating: cotton is the best underwear fabric.

"The vulva is a very sensitive and delicate area, similar to your face's lips. "You want to treat [it] gently," says board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Alyse Kelly-Jones.

And what is the most basic, gentle fabric to touch your skin? Cotton, indeed. It is also breathable and absorbent, which can aid in the prevention of yeast infections.

"Because vaginal discharge is healthy — similar to the moisture you always have in your mouth — you want your underwear to gently absorb any extra moisture," Kelly-Jones explains.

Synthetic materials such as nylon and spandex prevent the area from breathing. Instead, they trap heat and moisture, creating an ideal environment for yeast infections.

Change your underwear every day, even more than once if you want!

We appear to wear one pair of underwear per day and then put it in the laundry to be washed. That isn't always necessary. On the other hand, you shouldn't limit yourself to just one pair per day.

Some doctors believe that if there isn't much discharge or sweat, you can go two days without changing your underwear. However, if you begin to feel uncomfortable due to vaginal discharge buildup, you can change them more than once a day, as Kelly-Jones constantly reminds her patients.

"Many of my patients are bothered by this moisture and always wear pantie liners," she says. "I believe this is not the healthiest behaviour because liners can cause chafing and irritation. Cotton-lined underwear will solve this problem, and changing more than once a day is acceptable."

Toss them in the hamper after they've been worn. Unlike jeans, underwear should not be reworn simply to save time doing laundry.

At night to air out the moisture

There's a lot of debate about whether or not going to bed without underwear is better for you.

For those with a healthy vagina, either option is acceptable. Going pantie-free to bed can make all the difference for those who suffer from yeast infections on a regular basis.

Without a cloth barrier, the area can breathe overnight, preventing moisture buildup and creating an environment for bacteria to grow.

"I believe the vulva area, like any other area of your body, should be exposed to the air," Kelly-Jones says.

Kelly-Jones suggests wearing loose-fitting pyjama bottoms if you don't like the feeling of being naked. Remember that if you are not wearing underwear but are wearing another type of bottom, they must also be washed frequently.

It doesn't hurt to go without underwear for the night.

If, after following all of these tips and keeping them in mind every time you go out, you still feel your vagina is loose or you are unable to maintain proper vaginal health, see a gynaecologist. Meeting with a gynaecologist will help you understand the various options available to you, such as vaginal tightening surgery or other treatment procedures recommended by the gynaecologist after examining your condition. If you've had multiple children or are getting older, you probably have a loose vagina, which can cause a variety of problems but can be fixed with vaginal tightening surgery.

Keeping these things in mind and following them will keep your vagina healthy, save you time looking up vaginal itching remedies, and, most importantly, keep you from going to the gynaecologist.

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