PSA: Undies have a lot more to do with vaginal health than you might realize!
Around the world, about 300 million people suffer from yeast, vaginal, and bladder infections each year1,2,—in part due to the synthetic fabrics that don’t breathe and the harmful chemicals found in our undergarments and menstrual care products.
The vagina is a complex biome that can easily get thrown out of whack if not treated with care. In fact, it’s one of the most absorptive organs of the body and links directly to reproductive organs. As a result, 75% of humans with a vagina will get a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime, more than 40% will get multiple, and 8-10% will experience chronic infections every year... yikes!3
How? Materials Matter.
Synthetic performance fibers such as nylon, polyester, acrylic, and lycra actively trap heat and prevent air flow, creating a bacterial breeding ground that can lead to infection, irritation and all kinds of discomfort4. Have you checked out the contents of your top drawer lately? Chances are your undies are made mostly from these materials [which PS, are covered in chemicals]. At Subset, we’re all about comfort and feeling good in your skin - and that means providing you with a fabric that is better for your body: organic cotton.
In fact, most OBGYNs recommend a natural fiber for your nethers instead of synthetic fabrics because of its breathability and ability to prevent moisture retention5. Natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, wool, or linen, are inherently breathable and prevent moisture-trapping. This means that as sweat [and odors] accumulate, the fabric actively regulates heat and maintains airflow, for all-around comfort and better hygiene.
At Subset, we go above and beyond with a certified organic product - so you and your body can breathe easy. Want to learn more about the certified organic cotton difference? We’ve got you covered.
Footnotes
- Denning, David, Matthew Kneale, Jack Sobel, Riina Rautemaa-Richardson, “Global burden of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: a systematic review.” The Lancet: Infectious Diseases, 2 August 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30103-8.
- Flores-Mireles,* Ana L., Jennifer N. Walker, Michael Caparon, Scott J. Hultgren, “Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.” Nat Rev Microbiol., 8 April 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4457377/
- Bennington-Castro, Joseph, “What Is a Yeast Infection? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.” Everyday Health, 3 September 2020, Accessed 14 May 2021, https://www.everydayhealth.com/yeast-infection/guide/.
- “Clothing.” National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, February 2010, Accessed 28 September 2021, https://ncceh.ca/content/clothing.
- Rekstis, Emily. “8 underwear rules to live by for a healthy vagina.” Healthline, 10 September 2019, Accessed 28 September 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/underwear-hygiene
