Avoid vaginitis, change those undies regularly

There are so many myths about underwear passed down the generations: How to wash them, where not to hang them, when to buy, but rarely how often to change them.

“I change mine once a day in the evening from work, after a shower,” said a 28-year-old teacher in Francistown who sought anonymity for fear of embarrassment.

“There are times, though, I am so lazy I sleep and change in the morning.”

Another 34-year-old woman also says she changes panties daily and during her menses she changes in the evening after a shower or during the day if stained.

Dr Fredrick Philip, an obstetrician gynaecologist says underwear should be changed at least once a day to avoid recurrent infections, more so for women. The vagina contains normal flora ,these are microorganisms that live on another living organism without causing disease and “if they multiply and overwhelm the area they can cause imbalance of the pH, causing yeast infection and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, (PID) like vaginitis,” explained Dr Philip.

Yeast infection is marked by itching, swelling, and irritation from changes in balance of the yeast cells.

PID on the other hand, is infection of the reproductive organs.

If one does not change underwear often, Dr Philips says it could lead to health hazards including skin rashes from irritation besides inflammation due to being sensitive to extra moisture. He explained that walking or engaging in rigorous activities leads to moisture which can build up “and this can lead to yeast infection”.

Adding that tight underwear also traps sweat, dirt, bacteria, dead cells, urine and mucus.

It can also cause trichomoniasis, which causes similar symptoms like yeast infection but is characterised by greenishyellow discharge.

But should women sleep commando, without underwear?

Well, most women interviewed confessed to sleeping commando while some said they only wear undies during their periods with a small number saying even on their periods, they dispense with underwear by using tampons. Dr Philip says sleeping with underwear is not a problem as long as it allows for free airflow. “Sleeping without panties increases comfort, relieves dampness, soothes acne or pimples that grow from your pubic hair while wearing underwear causes dampness, which leads to discomfort.

Heat and moisture also causes folliculitis, an infection that looks like small bumps,” says the health expert. He also adds that sleeping commando also prevents yeast infections, as tight underwear can lead to troublesome vaginitis, a vaginal inflammation or infection that can cause odorous vaginal discharge, itching, burning, and pain.