This Underwear Mistake Is Super Common, Doctors Warn-and It's a Health Hazard

Underwear is an afterthought for many people. You simply stick your hand in a drawer and pull on whatever you come out with. But there's a super common underwear mistake you're probably making. And, unfortunately, it's not great for your health.

Even if you've gotten away with this in the past, it doesn't mean you'll be OK in the future. This underwear mistake can trip you up, leaving you uncomfortable, itchy and possibly even smelly. If you continue to unintentionally self-sabotage, you could be setting yourself up for some serious future discomfort.

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This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to completely switch up your underwear habits. But doctors say that you'll keep falling into the same health hazard trap if you repeatedly keep doing this.

Luckily, the solution is simple-and it's based on science. "This is not just theoretical," says Dr. Melanie Santos, MD, urogynecologist and medical director of Urogynecology and Pelvic Health at Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance, CA. Here's the incredibly common underwear mistake you're probably already making, plus how to change things up going forward.

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The Common Underwear Mistake To Avoid, According to Doctors

One of the most common underwear mistakes people make? It's not wearing cotton underwear. "From a clinical standpoint, the goal is to maintain a cool, dry vulvovaginal environment, because the vaginal microbiome is highly sensitive to moisture and heat," Dr. Santos tells Parade.

Cotton is a breathable, moisture-wicking natural fiber that allows for air circulation and helps keep the vulvovaginal area dry, explains Dr. Dillon Knight, MD, ob-gyn at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital.



"Synthetic fabrics-nylon, polyester, spandex-trap heat and moisture against the skin, creating a warm, humid microenvironment that favors the growth of Candida species (yeast) and potentially pathogenic bacteria," she says.

Cotton underwear "even helps reduce sweating because it is naturally porous," shares Dr. Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida.

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What Can Happen if You Make This Mistake?

A few things can go wrong. Synthetic fabrics create a warm, humid microenvironment against the vagina, leading to the growth of yeast and bacteria, Dr. Santos says. That translates to a higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvar irritation, she explains.

Not only that, "odor-causing bacteria can get trapped," leading to a bad smell, points out Dr. Jennifer Wider, MD, an ob-gyn and host of the "Open Wider" podcast.

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Are Other Underwear Types OK?

Doctors generally recommend steering away from synthetic fabrics for underwear. However, you may be able to get away with underwear that just has a cotton-lined crotch, Dr. Greves explains. "You could try it and see what seems to work best with you," she says. "Keep in mind that whatever you're choosing, you want to make sure that it does not irritate and allows for moisture absorption and breathing to help limit irritation, friction and infections."

But all-over cotton is still your best bet. "One hundred percent cotton is preferable because, if you sweat [in underwear with synthetic fabric], the synthetic material on the rest of the underwear can cause irritation and can trap heat and bacteria," Dr. Wider says.

Other Ways To Lower Your Risk of Utis and Yeast Infections

There are a few other ways to lower your risk of UTIs and yeast infections, according to Dr. Knight:

• Drink more water. This can dramatically lower your risk of UTIs, she says. "This is particularly relevant in summer when dehydration from heat and sweating concentrates urine and reduces voiding frequency," she adds.
• Don't spend a lot of time in wet clothes. "Change out of wet bathing suits and sweaty workout clothes promptly," Dr. Knight says. Otherwise, drawn-out moisture exposure can encourage the growth of fungus and bacteria down there.
• Pee regularly.Don't try to hold it in, and pee soon after sex, if you can, Dr. Knight recommends.
• Don't douche. This can disrupt your vaginal flora, raising the risk of infection, she says.
• Try to avoid irritants. "Excessive washing, bubble baths and perfumed soaps can damage the protective vaginal flora and should be avoided," Dr. Knight warns.

And, of course, stick with cotton underwear when you can. "The best available evidence-ranging from expert clinical guidance to emerging prospective studies-consistently shows that reducing heat, moisture and friction is central to preventing infection and irritation," Dr. Santos says. "Breathable fabrics like cotton are a simple, evidence-supported way to achieve that."

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Sources:

• Dr. Jennifer Wider, MD, an ob-gyn and host of the Open Wider podcast
• Dr. Melanie Santos, MD, urogynecologist and medical director of Urogynecology and Pelvic Health at Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance, CA
• Dr. Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida
• Dr. Dillon Knight, MD, ob-gyn at Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 7:50 AM.