We live in a world where you’re bound to have encountered a crude drawing of a penis on a random surface at least once (or a hundred times) in your life. In this same world, the word vagina is treated like a dirty, taboo thing. 

That’s not how we roll in these parts. Over here, we celebrate all of the world’s vaginas and want to ensure they’re in tip-top shape. So, for today’s coochie-centric topic, we’ll be discussing the best underwear for vaginal health, along with a bunch of tips and tricks to keep your kitty happy!

The healthiest underwear for women isn’t necessarily bound to a certain style or type. Whether you’re a thong underwear girlie, a cheeky underwear enthusiast, or you swear by boxers for women, this post is for you! The idea is to form healthier habits around your underwear use and that can mean a lot of things, so let’s quit stalling and get to it!

As I mentioned, the best underwear for vaginal health has very little to do with the style of the underwear. Of course, the type of underwear matters, but that mostly comes down to the material and ensuring that it fits you perfectly! These seven rules are meant to help you form healthier habits around how you handle your underwear that don’t necessarily call for swapping out your whole underwear drawer. 

1. ALWAYS OPT FOR NATURAL FABRICS

The main factor that determines whether a pair of undies is the best underwear for vaginal health is the fabric it’s made of. Synthetic fabrics (like polyester) are popular for underwear because they can be made super thin and stretchy, but they can also irritate your skin and don’t allow your hoo-ha to breathe. 

Hemp underwear is the best option for both your health and comfort! Hemp is a strong and durable fabric (so you’ll get more use out of your undies!) and its antibacterial and moisture-wicking properties will help provide a fresh and comfy environment for your private parts. Other natural, sustainable options like organic cotton or tencel are also good options!

2. AVOID ILL-FITTING UNDERWEAR

Ill-fitting underwear is the number one culprit for a lot of annoyances and issues that come with underwear. It’s responsible for things as trivial as wedgies and skin irritation but can also lead to more serious developments like yeast infections. Making sure your underwear fits properly is the main thing to keep in mind when purchasing new undies. 

How should underwear fit? The goal is for your underwear to be snug but never tight or restrictive on any area of your body. The elastic should be tight enough to rest on your waist or hips without slipping but never to the point of leaving marks on your skin or making it difficult to move. The crotch part of your panties should cover your pubic area completely while still allowing for airflow and movement. 

3. TAKE A GENTLE APPROACH TO WATCHING UNDIES

Underwear is a delicate article of clothing but we don’t often treat it as such. Throwing your underwear in the washing machine and dousing it in harsh detergents alongside your other clothes not only breaks down your underwear, it can irritate you “down there.”

Be sure to use only gentle, hypoallergenic soaps on your underwear to avoid any nasty chemicals coming in contact with your most intimate areas. To make things even easier, learn how to hand wash underwear! It’s very simple, wears down your underwear less quickly than machine washing, and is the ideal method for not running out of clean panties when you travel!

4.CHANGE YOUR UNDERWEAR REGULARLY

The best underwear for vaginal health can only do as good a job as you allow it to.  Dirty underwear is always a no-go, even if it’s made out of awesome hemp fabric, so it’s up to you to change your underwear regularly. That way you can ensure your undies are in their best state to keep your kitty safe and free from bad bacteria. 

I recommend switching your underwear out at least once a day but don’t be afraid to do it more often if you feel the need. Sweat and discharge are very normal parts of owning a vagina and they don’t always come regularly. If you need a midday panty change due to excess discharge or sweat, go for it!

5.PRIORITIZE YOUR COMFORT

This is somewhat of a catchphrase of mine on this blog. If it suits you and makes you feel good, then it’s the right choice! Women often feel obligated to squeeze their peaches into synthetic lace to emphasize how sexy they are. Well, guess what? You’re even hotter when you’re confident in your comfort zone. And if a pair of granny panties does it for you, then you better work it, girl!

It’s also important to note that there’s no wrong choice in women’s underwear styles regarding your health. So long as the undies are made of a good, natural fabric and fit you properly, anything goes (yes, even thongs)!

6. MAKE SURE YOUR UNDERWEAR IS BREATHABLE

Breathable underwear is the top requirement for maintaining good vaginal health. Sweat is an unavoidable part of your body’s natural processes and a sweaty vagina is something that occurs to most women. Sweat is good for your body but an excess of it can become problematic. 

For example, If you’re wearing synthetic underwear while producing a lot of downstairs sweat, you’re more at risk of cultivating bad bacteria which can lead to infection (gross!). This is due to the fact that synthetic underwear traps moisture and doesn’t promote airflow. 

7.DON'T HOARD OLD UNDERWEAR

As much as we may ignore this fact, underwear has an expiration date! Sure, it can be tempting to keep all your underwear, no matter how tattered, because it still “does the job” but, how good of a job is a pair of undies really doing if its main feature is giving you a saggy bottom? 

I recommend doing an underwear purge at least once a year. All it takes is an hour or two of sifting through your underwear drawer and getting rid of anything that makes you cringe. If you’re stuck on what to do with old underwear because you don’t want to send it to a landfill (I don’t blame you for that!), there are many eco-friendly solutions (yes, even for those ripped, old pairs). 

Now that you know all the rules for the best underwear for vaginal health, you may benefit from knowing a bit about how your vagina actually works. Personal habits, beyond the undergarments you wear, are a huge part of maintaining good vaginal health. We’ll go over some hygiene tips in just a moment, but first, let’s take a look at the two main parts of your vagina and what they do:

• Vulva: Many people often say “vagina” when they really mean “vulva.” Your vulva is the outer part of your privates. This includes your inner and outer labia as well as your clitoris. Your vulva can get sweaty, stinky from sharing a cozy space with your backdoor, and even a bit itchy if you have pubic hair. Cleaning this part of your body daily is an essential step of any solid hygiene routine. 

  
  
• Vagina: Vagina refers to the tube that connects your vulva to your cervix and uterus. It’s the part of your body that expels blood during your period so it’s also where you insert tampons and other menstrual products.  Unlike your vulva, your vagina doesn’t require any extra interference from you. That lady can keep herself clean. Interfering with your vagina’s natural cleaning process can lead to the elimination of the good bacteria it creates which can leave you at risk of infections. 

Ensuring that you have the best underwear for vaginal health is a huge part of caring for your kitty. However, there are also some basic hygiene rules to keep in mind. As I mentioned, your vagina requires less maintenance than you would think. Here’s how to best keep your downstairs clean and fresh: 

• Use gentle unscented soap: Lathering some soap on your vulva (especially if you don’t shave or shorten your pubic hair) should be a part of your daily shower routine. Just be sure to use an unscented or gentle soap, use a small amount, and never push any soap or water up into your vagina.
• Always wipe from front to back: Poop is a stinky business made even worse when your front and back doors are just a few steps away from one another. To avoid any gross bacteria transfer (and a potential UTI), always wipe from front to back after a visit to the toilet. 
• Pee after sexual activities: Alongside maintaining healthy sex practices (such as using condoms and being aware of the ingredients in products like condoms and lube) peeing after sex is a good habit to form. It will help clear up any bacteria that might have snuck in and can help prevent UTIs.
• Don’t put any soap or water “up there”: Douching is a (surprisingly) common practice amongst women that involves squirting water or a mix of fluids into your vagina. This type of cleansing is not known to have any benefits (both for your hygiene and vaginal health) and is instead linked to bacterial infections and other health issues. 

You are your body’s keeper. Maintaining a healthy vagina is as easy as following the recommended hygiene steps, opting for the best underwear for women’s health, and keeping up with routine visits to your gynecologist. 

That said, infections and complications can still come up. Always be aware of any irregular changes down there. Discharge and odors are a natural part of having a vagina. However, if you start experiencing any irritation, a dramatic shift in your scent, or the color and texture of your discharge suddenly changes, you should contact your doctor immediately. 

Let’s give one final shout-out to all the world’s vaginas! Each unique hoo-ha deserves the best and that starts with the best underwear for vaginal health! After reading this, you should know exactly how to treat your kitty like a queen! 

What’s your go-to underwear style for keeping your vagina cozy and protected? And do you have any extra vaginal care tips that I missed? Share your thoughts in the comments!