Selena Gomez talks about vulvar health. In a recent TikTok Captioned “women who don’t wear panties,” Gomez ended the video deadpan, “…can sometimes have urinary tract infections.”
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a type of bacterial infection of any part of the urinary system — including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. According to the Mayo Clinic, a UTI usually affects the lower urinary system, namely the bladder and/or urethra. Although urinary tract infections are very common, people with a vulva are particularly susceptible to this type of infection, as more than half of people with a vulva will have an infection at least once in their lives. according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Anyone can get a UTI, however, people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are particularly susceptible as the average length of the urethra is about 1.5 inches while in people assigned male at birth (AMAB), the urethra is much longer, making it more difficult for bacteria to travel to the bladder according to the Cleveland Clinic. As a matter of fact, American Family Physician Journal found that people with AFAB are up to 30 times more likely to get UTIs than people with penises.
UTI symptoms can be very uncomfortable, ranging from frequent urination and pain or burning when urinating, to fever and back or neck pain. If left untreated Urinary tract infections can cause serious health problems including repeated infections, permanent kidney damage and sepsis.
@Selena Gomez #Sting with @mxxooxxoo
Can wearing underwear contribute to a urinary tract infection?
No, a command will not lead directly to a urinary tract infection. This type of infection is caused by bacteria, not your choice of underwear. However, your risk of getting a UTI increases if you have sex (especially internal or “penetrative” sex), are dehydrated, use a diaphragm for birth control, or wipe from back to front after using the toilet.
As a matter of fact, Cleveland Clinic says that wearing tight-fitting underwear can contribute to yeast infections because the fabric can trap heat and moisture. Sleeping naked — or wearing loose-fitting bottoms — can allow airflow around the genitals and help keep the area cooler and drier. However, if you sleep nude or commando, be sure to wash your sheets regularly, as dead skin, sweat, and potential bacteria that would have been transferred to your pajamas or underwear now have direct access to your sheets.
When it comes to giving daytime commands, remember that certain rougher materials (think: denim or wool) can cause chafing and irritation. Also, “materials like nylon and lycra can trap moisture and heat, which is a breeding ground for infection,” the board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist says Jodie Horton, MD previously told POPSUGAR. Cotton will be the most vagina-friendly fabric, Horton says.
Because the majority of people will experience a UTI at some point, preventive measures are important to avoid future infections. Drinking plenty of water, peeing after sex, avoiding douches, and wearing cotton underwear are your best bets for preventing UTIs.
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