Your Gym Clothes Could Be Upsetting Your Vaginal Health

Yes, we know exercise is an important part of keeping a balanced and healthy lifestyle, but it seems your workout gear could be cause for concern. While yoga pants or jogging trousers are great for stretching, movement and keeping you sweat-free and breathable in the gym, the tightly packed fabric could be wreaking havoc on your nether regions. Speaking to Women’s Health, Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., and clinical associate professor of ob-gyn at Yale School of Medicine point to the issue of workouts creating sweat and dampness – with your vagina hosting its own mass of sweat glands. Minkin blames the tight material, and the build-up of bacteria in sweat as acting like a pool for infection in your vagina (which already has a pretty sensitive PH balance). She also adds that if bacteria does get into your vaginal wall, it can interfere with the microbes that normally live there – causing yeast infections, discomfort and a strong smelling odour. So what’s the best way to tackle your workout sweat so it doesn’t affect your vagina? Change out of your sweaty clothes immediately, and take a hot shower to kill off any bacteria. Avoid wearing the same tight trousers twice in a row and be sure to use a specific vaginal wash to keep your PH balance fresh and irritation free.