According to dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD, the wrong underwear choice can provide the perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to grow. “Bacteria thrives in dark, damp areas and when moisture like sweat is trapped against the skin, it can cause bacteria to multiply, ” she says. “In the bikini area, this is especially important to monitor. When that moisture has nowhere to go due to tight underwear or yoga pants that don’t breathe or wick away moisture, it can lead to irritation and superficial fungal or bacterial spread.”
Gynecologist Christine Greves, MD, agrees. “Moisture-wicking fabric can be helpful in situations in which there is a lot of warmth and moisture and you aren’t able to change your bottoms or shower immediately (i.e. you’re running outside for an extended period of time and it takes you a while to get back home),” she says.
Dr. Greves also notes that yeast infections are often caused by that mixture of extended moisture and warmth, so you’ll want to be especially careful if you’re prone to them.
