Don't Wear Another Thong Before You Read This

Paying close attention to vaginal health is something all women should do. Of course, habits like peeing after sex, wearing breathable bottoms, and avoiding harsh ingredients are good ways to care for your lady parts, but there is more to know, and do, according to Healthline.

If your favorite panty style is a thong, know that everyday wear can lead to problems. According to Elite Daily, in certain cases it may not the thong itself causing issues, but the fabric it's made of, like satin, lace, or nylon. With regard to underwear material, Dr. Alyse Kelly-Jones, board-certified OB-GYN tells Healthline, "the vulva is a very sensitive and delicate area, similar to the lips on your face. You want to treat [it] gently." Dr. Jones says cotton is breathable and soft, and therefore the best fabric for avoiding infections and keeping your vagina healthy.

Common vaginal infections, like yeast and bacteria, can happen if there is a disruption in the vagina's moisture levels, which can occur from daily thong wearing, OB/GYN Dr. Shieva Ghofrany tells Huffpost. Dr. Ghofrany does advise wearing all cotton panties, but it's not only the material she has an issue with — it's the shape of the thong as well. Because of the skimpiness of the panty, the vagina is still exposed. "Given the increase in leggings and 'skinny' jeans, all of which have Lycra, Spandex, etc., there again is trapped moisture," she adds.

Another cause of a vaginal infection related to wearing a thong is migration of bacteria. Dr. Jill M. Rabin, Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, tells Huffpost, "if you have a little bacteria — E. coli is the most common bacteria in the colon — in the back part of the fabric and you're physically active, that material may move. 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." 

You may be wondering if wearing a thong is worth the possible health complications. The jury is still out. Regardless, the lyrics of SisQó's Thong Song ring a little differently now.