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Let’s talk about panties for a hot second. For those who wear panties, they’re the most intimate piece of clothing on our body. They’re down there hanging out with your vagina all day and all night and there are a few things your vagina would like you to know about their closest neighbor.

Panties come in all shapes, color, sizes, fabric, and style, but putting aesthetics aside for a moment, what are the best kind of panties for your vagina?

Believe it or not, the wrong kind of panties can lead to health issues like infections and irritations over time. While sometimes it’s impossible not to wear something teeny tiny and sexy if you want to avoid pantie lines, walking around like you’ve just came off a Victoria’s Secret catwalk might be great for your sex life, but not your health. Here’s what your vagina and OB-GYN believe is best for your hoo hoo health.

Things Your Vagina Wants You to Know - Number 1

Let’s start with something that should be a no-brainer. Whenever I travel I always pack more underwear than I need. I don’t know why, it’s not like I’ve ever had “accidents” abroad or anything, but I like the feeling of a pair of fresh panties at least once a day. And come on, they don’t take much much room in the suitcase anyway. It should go without saying (I hope) that panties should be changed once a day. More often if it’s your time of the month. According to Huffington Post, you can sometimes wear the same item of underwear for two days in a row if there’s not much discharge or swear. But why? It’s better to be safe than itchy. Change your panties often.

Things Your Vagina Want You to Know - Number 2

Cotton is your lady part’s best friend when it comes to fabric. Your nose and mouth aren’t the only things that need to breath. Your hoo ha need some air as well. According to Dr. Ruth Tessler (OB-GYN), your vagina is home to normal bacteria and normal yeast that live in perfect harmony. When something (like not being able to breath) throws your vagina off balance, then it leads to irritating infections.

While cotton panties are sometimes seen as the more boring alternative compared to lace, silk, satin, or other “sexier” fabrics. While my first thought was, “Well, the crotch part usually has a small piece of cotton,” it doesn’t count. Only panties made entirely of cotton will promote breathability. Not that’s not to say you need to start buying granny panties. There are plenty of options of cute cotton panties that are just as sexy. Which brings me to my next point.

Things Your Vagina Wants You to Know - Number 3

Thongs. I’ve heard from some older aunties that thongs will lead to yeast infections, but there’s actually no study that proves that thongs are unhealthy for your nether regions. Cotton thongs are just as good for you as big ol' granny panties. A 2005 NBCI study looked directly at string underwear and found that the microenvironment of the vulvar skin didn’t change at all due to the style of underwear. The underwear had no effect on the pH, skin microclimate, or aerobic microflora.

Things Your Vagina Wants You to Know - Number 4

Going commando is great for your girly bits. Think of it this way, if cotton is the best fabric for panties because it’s breathable, having nothing cuts out the middle person. For those who have a healthy vagina, either choice is fine. For those who deal with regular yeast infections, going pantie-free to bed can make all the difference. Going without a cloth barrier allows the area to breathe overnight and keeps moisture from building up or creating an environment for bacteria to build. If you really don’t going to bed naked, wearing loose-fitting pajama bottoms is a great (and comfy) alternative.

Bonus: Things Your Vagina Wants You to Know - Panty Liners

Some women wear panty liners to absorb excess moisture down there. They’re thin cotton pads similar to period pads but a lot thinner and worn on a regular basis by some women. While many liners are great at keeping you fresh and your favorite pair of panties clean, become a little bit lazy when it come to changing them on a regular basis throughout the day and you’re opening yourself up to the risk of irritating the delicate skin in that area and contracting unwanted infections.

When choosing a brand of panty liners, don’t just go for whatever is on sale at the moment and avoid the scented stuff. Only use panty liners that are made of cotton and promote air flow. Go for the organic option if you can. The less chemicals you put near your vajayjay the better.

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