Why thongs are unhealthy

Thus, experts agree that if you are healthy, there is a very low ri sk of contracting an infection solely from wearing a thong. The flimsy nature of thongs means that they tend to move around, which can lead to bacteria from the anus be ing transferred to the vagina. From there, get the opinion of your doctor. Beyond considering an y past run-ins with infection, think about whether or not you have any existing health conditions down there.

Ditch Lace and Embrace Cotton. Like all underwear styles, thongs come in an array of fabrics. With so many fun, colourful, and sexy styles out there, cotton seems quite boring by comparison.

But according to experts, the number one rule when it comes to thongs is: Go cotton. The vulva is an extremely sensitive area. Lace and silk pants, whilst often much more attractive to look at, should be kept for when someone's probably going to be taking them off anyway.

Whilst thongs aren't a guaranteed infection waiting to happen, your immune system is lowered when you're ill, so it's got less strength to fight off other bacteria. This means that the risk of infection from everyday items you're usually fine with, like your pants, shoots up when you're poorly, even if it's something simple like a cold. Play it safe and go for a full pant until you're feeling better — you've got enough to be dealing with without adding a UTI to the mix. Okay, so you might get a VPL in your workout leggings, but that's better than your rectal bacteria yep getting transferred to your vagina when you move around and sweat, leading to potential urinary tract infections.

E-coli, the most common bacteria found in the colon, can easily sneak down into your vagina or your urethra if you exercise in a thong, so next time you're updating your kit, get your gym pants in a sweat-wicking material to keep you fresh or as it's physically possible to be after a minute spin class.

The friction caused by wearing thongs won't give you conditions like hemorrhoids or lichen sclerosus a skin condition that causes itchiness and white patches on the skin , but if you have them already, their shape and orientation can make things ten times worse.

Web MD adds that wearing an ill-fitting thong or a thong that's too tight can also lead to clitoral irritation, and Dr Shieva Ghofrany previously told the Huffington Post that doctors notice more skin tags on patients who wear thongs frequently as well. Many thongs, particularly the sexy lacy kinds, are made of non-breathable materials, as opposed to cotton. Ghofrany advises. This includes the material of the entire panty, not just the fabric at the crotch.

Plus, even if the entire garment is cotton, the skinny shape creates an inherent risk. Ghofrany explains, "and given the increase in leggings and 'skinny' jeans, all of which have Lycra, Spandex, etc. Lastly, the thin band of material at the crotch tends to move around, possibly transferring bacteria from one spot to another. As Dr. Rabin tells, us, "If you have a little bacteria -- E.

All it has to do is move an inch or two and it's next to the vagina or urethra. That thong may be depositing colonic bacteria into your vagina or urethra. The main health risks we're taking when we wear thongs: infection and irritation. Infections can occur when the balance of the vaginal environment, including the moisture levels from vaginal secretions, is thrown off, says Dr.

The most common? Yeast infections and bacterial infections, mainly bacterial vaginosis. The extra bacteria usually manifests with increased discharge, which leads to what Dr. Ghofrany calls the "vicious cycle of thong use": the increase in discharge leads to an increased use of panty liners, which leads to even more trapped moisture, which leads to more infections and more discharge. Thongs also carry the risk of external irritation. Ghofrany tells us.

How can you tell?