While some of us opt for thongs that promise an invisible panty line, others go commando, and some don’t mind a panty line at all. The bottom line is whether or not we should be wearing underwear when we exercise is something we all need to talk about more because who wants to deal with yeast infections on a regular basis? Here’s what she had to say: “Bacteria and yeast do love a moist environment, which is created when working out. These workouts do not have to be vigorous—many women still sweat while doing lower impact workouts like yoga,” she says. “Wearing underwear that can absorb the moisture is ideal. There are workout bottoms that have a moisture-absorbing capability or built-in underwear, however, that you can invest in.” The bottom line, Clark says, is that your vagina needs to breathe in order to keep yeast at bay. So if you prefer to go commando while you exercise, take material into consideration. And if you’re going to a yoga class where you know you won’t be sweating all that much, feel free to leave your panties behind. “The goal with this material is to prevent trapping moisture in the vaginal area,” Clark says. “These underwear are typically made of synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester and are better for long workouts or vigorous activities where you may sweat more.” If you won’t be sweating quite as much, cotton underwear is a comfortable, lightweight, breathable option that’s generally healthy for a vaginal environment. “Cotton underwear is good for everyday use and when you may have to go long periods of time without changing your underwear,” she adds. “Cotton underwear is also good when exercising, but if you are doing more vigorous exercise and sweating, they may need to be changed as soon as you are done, in order to prevent moisture from being trapped near your skin/vaginal area for too long.” “When the underwear hits your perineum (the patch of skin between the vagina and the anus), the thong can potentially transmit fecal bacteria from the rectum to the vaginal area causing vaginal or urinary tract infections,” Clark says. “This is especially true if you work out or do excessive activity while wearing them. To make matters worse, thongs tend to rub, causing tiny tears in the delicate skin around your vulva and clitoris, creating access for bacteria.” While you shouldn’t live in fear of thongs (I have a whole drawer of them), just be mindful of wearing them every single day. Yep, moderation is key—even when it comes to underwear. As for what to do after the workout? Change out of your sweaty clothes as soon as possible and prevent over-cleansing by only washing with warm water.
