Underwear Mistakes You Should Stop Making Now!

There's a good chance you don't put a lot of thought into your underwear when you get dressed every day. You're probably worrying more about the clothes that go on top of those underwear, right? Turns out, that might not be the best move — your lady bits deserve some consideration, and grabbing the wrong pair can have some seriously unpleasant side effects. Here are the underwear mistakes you should avoid the next time you get dressed.

Not wearing cotton
Let's face it, ladies, cotton underwear may not be the sexiest choice you can make — but it's the healthiest. "Silk and synthetic fabrics are not breathable, which increases the risk of moisture being trapped and retained, which can create a yeast or bacterial infection," Donnica Moore, M.D., told The Huffington Post. She added that if you must wear underwear made from synthetic fabrics, you should at least choose a pair with a cotton-lined crotch. Limit the silky panties to special occasions — especially those where they won't stay on very long.

Wearing thongs
Thongs may be the perfect solution to panty lines when you're rocking your yoga pants, but they come with risks that are just, well, gross. "If you have a little bacteria — E. coli is the most common bacteria in the colon — in the back part of the fabric and you're physically active, that material may move," Dr. Jill M. Rabin told The Huffington Post. "All it has to do is move an inch or two and it's next to the vagina or urethra. That thong may be depositing colonic bacteria into your vagina or urethra."

If that's still not enough to make you ready to trash your thongs, irritation from the thin material can also lead to skin tags on the vulva and rectum — probably not the look you're going for down there. Rabin added that choosing cotton thongs, wearing them for short periods of time, and keeping yourself clean will probably keep you healthy… but is it worth it?

Wearing underwear to bed
Okay, so hear me out on this one. I'm not telling you to go bed naked, I'm just saying it might not be a bad idea to go commando under those comfy pajamas of yours — especially if you're a frequent flyer when it comes to issues like yeast infections and vaginal inflammation. Trapped moisture can lead to increased bacteria and even yeast infections, and wearing underwear 24/7 can increase that risk.

Michigan State University ob-gyn Nancy Herta, M.D., told Glamour, "Allowing that area to get some air helps to keep it dry and clean." If you can't bring yourself to ditch the underwear every night, try it out for at least a couple nights a week and see if you notice any improvements.

Not wearing them during the day
Just because it's better to let your lady parts breathe while you sleep doesn't mean you should plan on going commando all day, every day. Melissa Goist, M.D, told Health that while it's okay every now and then, it's definitely not advisable to go without underwear in some situations. According to Goist, going sans-panties while you wear clothing that causes friction, like jeans, can actually lead to chaffing and sores — which can eventually become infected. No, thank you!

Wearing the wrong size
No one wants to wear underwear that sag — it's uncomfortable and unsightly. But wearing too-tight underwear is just as bad, and might even be worse. Wearing too-tight clothing in any area of the body can lead to chafing and irritation, and the vagina is no different. I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a good place to be dealing with chafed skin.

Wearing underwear that doesn't leave room for a little air to move around can also cause moisture to be trapped, possibly leading to a yeast infection. It's probabaly best not to size down when picking out your undergarments from now on.

No one wants to wear underwear that sag — it's uncomfortable and unsightly. But wearing too-tight underwear is just as bad, and might even be worse. Wearing too-tight clothing in any area of the body can lead to chafing and irritation, and the vagina is no different. I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a good place to be dealing with chafed skin.

Wearing underwear that doesn't leave room for a little air to move around can also cause moisture to be trapped, possibly leading to a yeast infection. It's probabaly best not to size down when picking out your undergarments from now on.