Effect of Tight Underwear on Genital Health

Writteen By Egbodo Peter

The selection of underwear is mostly subjective. Thongs, boxers, or briefs can be your preference.

Whether you wear tight panties or loose panties, you could be unsure if it’s OK to wear them.

Though the evidence isn’t quite conclusive, wearing tight underwear may not be as healthy as you might think (more on that later).

In this article, we’ll discuss whether tight underwear is bad and what people with penises and people with vulvas need to know about underwear and hygiene.

Read More: Understand-prebiotics-pro-post-and-antibiotics: Effect of Tight Underwear on Genital Health

1. Tight Underwear’s Benefits And Drawbacks

Whether you have a vulva or a penis will determine how wearing tight underwear affects your body.

Briefs, bikinis, and thongs in particular should fit tightly without leaving marks on the skin.

2. People With Penises

People who wear tight underwear have reduced sperm counts, according to a 2018 study, although further research is required on the subject.

According to the theory, wearing tight underwear raises the scrotal temperature (similar to sitting in a hot tub or using a laptop on your lap), which influences the sperm generation process.

3. People With Vulvas

A 2014 studyTrusted Source suggested wearing tight pants or underwear can cause yeast infections in people with vulvas.

This is because moisture and air can become trapped between the skin and the fabric, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. A bacteria-rich environment may cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) or yeast infection.

Read More: How-long-can-sperm-live-inside-the-vagina-after-intercourse: Effect of Tight Underwear on Genital Health

4. Underwear And Hygiene Tips

Here are some general underwear and hygiene tips that can help improve your genital health and reduce the likelihood of certain conditions, like UTIs and yeast infections.

• Always opt for natural fabrics like cotton which naturally absorb moisture.
• If you’re between sizes in underwear, go for a size up.
• You’ve heard it before, but change your underwear (at least) once a day to prevent bacteria accumulation.
• When working out, try to wear moisture-wicking underwear with a little stretch to it, which may help prevent bacteria buildup and chafing.
• If you’re a person with a penis trying to conceive, boxers may be a better choice because they help keep the scrotum cool.
• It’s safe and may actually be advisable not to wear underwear at night (aka going commando while you sleep), which allows your vulva or penis to air out. You can wear very loose-fitting bottoms if you prefer not to be naked.
• Launder your undergarments in less allergenic detergent.

In some cases, you may want to see your doctor for your genital health. Make an appointment with your doctor if you:

• Suspect You Have A Low Sperm Count
• Have A UTI That Hasn’t Resolved Itself With 2 Days
• Have Recurrent Yeast Infections
• Think You Have A Sexually Transmitted Infection
• Are Experiencing Pain, Burning, Or Relentless Itching In The Genitals