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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Valdosta chapter.

Girl, I’m going to make your panties drop.

And then…

You should throw them in the trash, because they are a moisture trap that promotes the growth and transmission of harmful bacteria, fostering the risk for infection or pH imbalances. 

But don’t fear! You don’t have to throw out all of your panties just your thongs and anything that isn’t 100% cotton.

Sorry to say it but that sexy lace and sensual silk have got to go. Cotton is the ideal material, but it isn’t always enough just to have a cotton liner. Your lady bits need to breath and if the material behind that cotton isn’t breathable, then you’re trapping moisture and risking yeast and other bacterial infections, according to an article by Sara Schwartz “8 Underwear mistakes that are bad for your health.”

Now, there are some adorable cotton thongs out there, but don’t buy those either. There’s a reason Sisqo’s affinity for thongs ended with, “Let me see that thong,” and not taking it off. The only hot thing about them is the way they look, not what they do to your body. Thongs move around a lot, especially if you’re an active woman and all that moving around can transfer E. coli from your anus to your vagina and urethra, according to an article by Elli krupnick “Why your Thong may be Bad for your Health.” Suffering from frequent yeast and urinary tract infections? Try ditching your thongs. 

At this point it may seem forgetting underwear and going commando would be the easiest thing to do. However, according to Schwartz, many of us wear jeans or leggings where the seam lines up with our vulva. This means we could slowly be irritating and desensitizing ourselves by not wearing any underwear.

If you really want to go commando though, do it at night. It’s actually really good for you. According to Schwartz, sleeping naked or at least with nothing on your bottom half is a great way for your body to naturally air itself out.

Keep your lady bits happy. Just try to buy cotton panties (no thongs), change them whenever they get damp (like from sweating), and sleep naked more often.

Her Campus at Valdosta State.