Is it true that wearing thong leads to infertility?

It is widespread that women who prefer thong to other types of underwear are more difficult to get pregnant and take out the child. We decided to check if this fear is confirmed by scientific data.

About the connection between the wearing of thongs and some gynecological and infectious diseases, which can lead to infertility, with an enviable regularity Report Russian -speaking Media From different countries. Dangerous For women's health, this type of underwear is called some Doctorsincluding the chairman of the Union of Women of Russia, a doctor Ekaterina Lakhova. Approvedthat during the wearing of strings, bacteria and the occurrence of fungal infections are spread. Some sites Medical orientation, speaking of infectious diseases, write about the danger not so much of the thongs themselves as the material from which they are made. Professor of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology of the MGMU named after Sechenova Elena Uvarova adheres to Another opinion: "Thong from any materials and synthetic linen, whether it is lace or not, is harmful."

Thong, or Tanga, is an object of underwear consisting of one or two triangles with a narrow connective strip on hips. They can also be part of a swimsuit, providing A more even tan of hips and buttocks. Their other advantage is almost complete invisibility under clothing, even sewn from light or thin fabric. Thong, like other types of linen, can be made of different materials, as well as have additional jewelry in the form of rhinestones, bows or lace inserts. The difference between tanga and other panties is extremely constructive. Exists Several varieties of thong, depending on their shape and degree of openness of the buttocks.

In the largest medical research base, PubMed “verified” discovered only one publication dedicated to the possible negative consequences for the health of the thongs. This article 2019, published in the journal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research and prepared by a group of scientists from the USA. The authors of the study were interested in the wearing of thongs with a higher level of urogenital infections, including bacterial infections of the urinary tract (cystitis, pyelonephritis), yeast vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. Experts asked 986 women to fill out a questionnaire with questions about preferred underwear models and materials from which it is manufactured, sexual practices, as well as urogenital infections over the past year. According to the survey, the respondents were allocated to a separate group, who reported that they wear thongs at least half of the total time. It turned out that such a preference in choosing underwear is in no way related to the risk of infections, and the factor of the greatest risk for the appearance of such diseases is regular oral sex. Wearing linen without a cotton insert in the crotch area was discovered by researchers, increased the risk of developing yeast vaginitis, but such an insert can be absent in any underwear model. In their conclusions, scientists advise paying attention to the fabric from which the underwear is sewn, and not the model of panties.

“Verified” did not find any other scientific data on the connection of a certain model of underwear and the risk of infertility or infections.

Although most experts who claim to be striking do not specify what kind of infections, in their opinion, causes the wearing of such linen, it can be assumed that we are not talking about infections transmitted sexually (STIs). Simple logic suggests: no matter what linen is worn by a woman if she does not have sex with an infected partner or not sexual contact at all, the risk of getting an infection is minimized. The most common urogenital infections, not related To the SPPP - just the three on which in the work described above, American experts concentrated. These infections Differs The fact that their pathogen is conditionally pathogenic microflora, that is, pathogens are in normal and in a healthy person, but when the immunity is reduced or non-compliance with any hygiene rules can cause diseases.

All these three infections are not directly related to infertility. Bacterial urinary tract infections usually Do not affect Neither on the probability of starting, nor on the probability of taking a child. However, if cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) Do not start Treat in time, he can go into pyelonephritis - an inflammatory kidney disease. If Do not treat And pyelonephritis, it can cause renal failure, kidney abscess, sepsis and even death. However, even with renal failure, pregnancy under the strict control of doctors still possible.

Yeast vaginitis (aka kolpit) - inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, provoked by Candida fungi. Formally, this disease can lead to the inability to conceive, but not because it significantly changes the reproductive function of a woman, and That's whyWhich, firstly, causes extremely painful sensations during sexual intercourse, and secondly, doctors in principle recommend sexual abstinence for women with colpitis during treatment. After the infection is cured, there should not be any problems with conception and bearing a woman. Kolpit often arises It is during pregnancy due to a general decrease in immunity and changes in the hormonal background, but successfully treated without harm to the fetus. However, if the yeast vaginitis is not treated at all, there is a risk of infection of the uterus and appendages, the development of adhesive processes and pipe obstruction, which can already cause infertility.

Bacterial vaginosis is also an extremely common pathology: by data WHO, it occurs in about a quarter of all women of reproductive age. The appearance of this infection is due to the inconsistent use of condoms and the emergence of new sexual partners, to the microflora of which the woman’s body is not “used to”. Bacterial vaginosis is also successfully treated, however, an unexplored disease increases the risk of HIV infection and other diseases transmitted sexually, and they, in turn, also Raise risk Infertility.

About any connection of all three pathologies with the shape of the underwear nor the WHO or authoritative Clinic Mayo And Cleveland clinic Do not report. 

The material from which linen is made can really contribute to the development of infections. If panties Do not possess high absorbent ability, high humidity is set in the perineum, which allows pathogens to develop faster and more actively. Also a favorable environment for bacteria Maybe Create any wet linen - legins after sports or wet swimsuit. Moreover, tight underwear, regardless of its shape, can call skin irritation, rash and other unpleasant consequences. Promotes the development of infections and irregular or poor -quality hygiene.

Thus, wearing thongs does not apply to factors that increase the risk of infections and conception problems for a woman - at least there is not a single study that would confirm this fear. 

Image on the cover: Kate Williams From Flickr

Not true

What do our verdicts mean?