Can Your Underwear Actually Throw Off Your Vaginal pH Balance?

When choosing new underwear it’s common to have comfort and style at the top of mind. But, what about how much your underwear literally affects your vagina?

The most important thing when adding some new thongs, boyshorts, and briefs to your drawer should be keeping her happy (and healthy, of course). Sure, you want to feel sexy and comfortable in your undies at all times, but at what cost? Well with us, there really is no cost, BS, or toxic stuff involved.

While it’s been proven that your underwear is likely not the sole cause of bacterial vaginal or yeast infections, toxic materials can lead to irritation, inflammation, chafing, and other issues all around. The research doesn’t lie and the research says that your underwear can have a direct impact on your vaginal health. Period.

close up of woman wearing blush pink cotton mid rise brief with sexy non-toxic mesh panels

Your pH Balance

To keep it simple, your pH balance measures how acidic or basic your vagina and the area surrounding it are. It’s measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most basic. With that being said, basic isn’t exactly considered a good thing. A “normal” and healthy vagina is acidic to some capacity, with healthy levels of acid being in the 3.5 and 4.5 range.

You know when your undies look slightly bleached after wearing them? While most people tend to freak out or feel confused, it’s totally normal. That’s simply a result of healthy acidic vaginal bacteria interacting with your underwear. But can your underwear itself throw off your pH balance?

Well, not exactly. In fact, Kim Langdon, MD tells Byrdie that the most common factors for unbalanced vaginal pH are: infections, chemicals, antibiotics, and semen. Now, with that being said, underwear with toxic chemicals raises eyebrows here since they make direct contact with the vagina. 

La Coochie blog why bleaching in your underwear
Image Credit: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk

 

However, one thing the acidity from your vagina’s pH balance can do is bleach your underwear. Discharge is a result of your body keeping your vagina healthy and functioning, but it can also do some damage to your favorite skivvies. “The acid of discharge can discolor clothing, but it's important to keep in mind that that's a normal, healthy discharge for your vagina,”  Jennifer Paul, M.D. tells Self. But, there are some cases where vaginal discharge is abnormal and an area of concern. If your discharge is clear to white, chances are your body’s just doing its job. And while discharge changes with our cycles and hormonal fluctuations, you should always take it up with your doctor if you feel like something else is up.

 

"happy and healthy vagina"

 

The same goes for your pH balance. If you think your pH is unbalanced, see your doctor if you’re experiencing a fishy odor, new yellow or white vaginal discharge, itching, and burning. OB/GYNs are quick to recommend cotton underwear to women in general, but especially patients experiencing vaginal discomfort. Now, because our cotton is organic, it’s about as pure and safe as it gets down there. You can feel 100 percent confident that La Coochie isn’t messing with your vaginal health, pH balance, or penetrating any chemicals up your v-area.

 

Treating Things Right

Aside from wearing our underwear, here are some tips that Dr. Hedieh, founder of Deodoc and OB/GYN suggests for a happy and healthy vagina. 

- Use pH-balanced wash (avoid the fragrance-infused stuff at the drugstore)
- Wear cotton underwear, especially organic (Hey, La Coochie)
- Never use perfume down there
- Sleep commando when you can