Most of us have heard that tight undergarments could do harm to the health of a men’s reproductive function.
Research suggests that when men wear tight underwear, they would increase the temperature around the scrotum, and thus lower sperm count and inhibit sperm production.
Men are fairly aware of that. But did you know that the ill effects of wearing tight panties are not just limited to men?
Yes, ladies, we are talking about you.
For some women, wearing tight undies might make them feel sexier, but even with those raging sex appeal, your procreative health begs to differ.
Not only do they cause skin irritation, but they also provide a perfect ground for odors or vaginal rashes.
Those are some common risks, but according to Dr. Keri Petersom, a Manhattan-based internal medicine specialist, there are 2 main reasons why you should pay more attention to how your underwear fits as you do the way it looks or makes you feel.
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Risk of Yeast and Bacterial Infection
This is pretty straightforward. The tighter underwear you wear, there will be less scope for air circulation. And improper air circulation around miss V is like an open invitation for all sorts of infection, be it bacterial or fungal.
Furthermore, wearing tight underwear during exercises can trap unwanted moisture, making it the perfect breeding place for these unwelcomed invaders.
So next time you think of buying a new pair of undies, choose one that fits your body contours perfectly and are able to let your skin breathe.
On the side note, thongs could also contribute to vaginal infection due to its structure. Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, “Health” magazine consultant advice that women should wear thongs no more than for a limited time.
2. Heartburn
Underwear that clings too tightly to the upper abdomen could contribute to discomfort.
Tight high-waist panties may compress the stomach and cause acid reflux inside the esophagus, which leads to heartburn.
On the other hand, low-rise panties that are too constricting can decrease blood circulation in the upper thigh area, resulting in irritation, tingling or sometimes even numbness.
What Kind Of Underwear Should You Choose?
There’s not a one-size-fits-all policy to choosing the right kind of underwear, but the general guideline is making sure the pairs you wear on the regular feel comfortable.
Meaning, when purchasing panties, you’d want to choose those that work with your anatomy best, whether its boy shorts of bikini cut.
“Buy underwear that makes you feel good and that’s comfortable, “ - Dr. Lauren Streicher
Also, 100% cotton is what you should be looking for when shopping for undies.
While synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, and spandex tend to trap heat and moisture, cotton, on the other hand, is breathable and therefore, reduces dampness.
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References:
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Iyer, A. (2018). Ladies: Wearing a tight underwear can be bad for your health too | TheHealthSite.com. [online] Thehealthsite.com. Available at: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/ladies-not-only-for-men-wearing-tight-underwear-can-be-bad-for-your-health-too-sperm-health-sperms-fertility-ai0818-591366/.
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Walton, A. (2019). Is Wearing Tight Underwear Healthy? | Livestrong.com. [online] LIVESTRONG.COM. Available at: https://www.livestrong.com/article/561948-is-wearing-tight-underwear-healthy/.
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Franklin, A. (2019). https://www.health.com. [online] Health. Available at: https://www.health.com/sexual-health/best-underwear-vagina.
Image credit:
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https://www.dayafterindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/panty.jpg
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https://betterbuttchallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/visible-panty-line-or-VPL.jpg
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https://www.sitarambhartia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/vaginal-infection-1170x520@2x.jpg
5. https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-underwear-hanging-on-clothes-line-1597650/
