Hygiene Expert Reveals the Best Practices for Regularly

Maintaining good hygiene is crucial, and one of the most important aspects of personal hygiene is changing underwear regularly.

The frequency of changing underwear varies depending on various factors, including physical activity, location, and style. Experts suggest that men may get away with changing their underwear every other day instead of every day in situations with minimal activity and no sweating.

Let’s be brief — experts say experts say men may be able to get away with changing their underwear every other day instead of every day. Vladimir – stock.adobe.com

Men’s looser-fitting styles, like boxers, may also allow for slightly longer wear. However, women with heavy menstrual cycles or significant vaginal discharge should consider changing their underwear more than once a day to avoid developing yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

"In situations with minimal activity and no sweating, changing [underwear] every other day may be acceptable," Dr. Anju Methil, a dermatologist with India-based ClinicSpots, told the Daily Mail this week. — In situations with minimal activity and no sweating, changing [underwear] every other day may be acceptable,” Dr Anju Methil, a dermatologist with India-based ClinicSpots, told the Daily Mail this week.Yakobchuk Olena – stock.adobe.com

According to a poll conducted by Newsweek, 47% of adults would never wear underwear for more than one day at a time. However, 36% of Gen Zers admitted to sometimes wearing the same underwear for 24-plus hours, the most extended period among all age categories surveyed. Experts warn that re-wearing underwear without washing can lead to skin irritation, rashes, or worsening pre-existing conditions such as eczema or psoriasis due to friction and trapped moisture.

One skincare specialist warned of yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis for women who don't change their underwear often enough. — One skincare specialist warned of yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis for women who don’t change their underwear often enough. LIGHT FIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com

Women are at risk of developing yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis when they don’t change their underwear often enough. A vaginal yeast infection occurs when there’s an overgrowth of a fungus called candida, which can cause burning, itching, pain, and discharge. Conversely, bacterial vaginosis is characterized by a fishy odour and yellow or grey discharge. An imbalance in the natural bacteria levels of the vagina causes it.

Men, on the other hand, may get jock itch, a fungal skin infection characterized by an itchy rash in the groin area. Men’s boxers, although touching the skin less frequently than women’s underwear, do not escape these hazards, mainly when worn repeatedly without change.

In hot and humid climates, changing underwear more than once a day might be necessary to maintain good hygiene. For those engaged in intense physical activities or who sweat heavily, changing underwear more frequently is advisable. Maintaining good personal hygiene by changing underwear regularly is essential to avoid developing bacterial or yeast infections, skin irritation, and rashes.