‘I’m a Gynecologist, and These Are the Only Types of Underwear You Should Be Wearing’
We’re officially a month into the new year, which means if you haven’t already, now would be a great time to refresh your underwear drawer. And by that, I mean it’s time to (respectfully) toss those briefs you’ve had since college in the trash, thank them for their service, and make way for a new guard of good-for-you underwear that’ll help keep your vulva happy and healthy all year long.
- 01What to look for
- 02FAQs
- David Ghozland MD OB/GYN
- Katerina Shkodzik, MD, OB/GYN and medical adviser at Mira
- Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, MS/MBA, double-board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology
- Staci Tanouye, MD, FACOG, board-certified gynecologist based in Florida
We love a comfortable and cute pair (or pack) of underthings as much as anyone—but not every undie is created equal, as far as your vaginal health is concerned, according to gynecologists. So we asked them to share their professional opinions on what we should look for while panty shopping, and rounded up the best underwear worth stocking up on this year.
What to look for in gynecologist-approved underwear
First things first, think of the fit
According to Katerina Shkodzik MD, an OB/GYN and medical adviser at Mira, the best underwear for your vaginal health are the ones that fit. “It’s important for underwear to not be tight,” Dr. Shkodzik tells us. “Besides the fact that [tight-fitting underwear] may not be comfortable, it can lead to more moisture and heat, irritate skin, and make the vulva/vaginal area more prone to infections.” Comfort is key, in other words, so prioritizing fit is always a must.
Breathable is always better
When it comes to material, gynecologists across the board say the more breathable the fabric, the better. “Many types of clothing material can be irritating or difficult to wear for a variety of reasons, and the same is true for what you put in contact with down there,” explains Staci Tanouye, MD, FACOG, a board-certified OB/GYN practicing in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dr. Tanouye recommends going for cotton or linen. “They're breathable, absorbent, and can help keep you cool and dry,” she explains. Bamboo, modal, and hemp are also great breathable options. “Anything that’s truly not breathable will create a less than ideal environment for bacteria to grow,” says David Ghozland, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN, President of the Los Angeles County Medical Association and Chairman of the Department of OB/GYN.
Moisture-wicking is major
Because excess moisture can cause an overgrowth of bacteria, and potentially lead to infection, gynecologists say to look for moisture-wicking claims while underwear shopping. “Ideally, women should look for moisture-wicking underwear to help move perspiration to the outer surface of the fabric and away from the skin,” says Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, MS/MBA, a double board-certified physician in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, and director of Perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals. “They also dry fast, so the fabric doesn't become saturated.”
Seamless for no-show lines under clothes
If you’re trying to avoid underwear lines peeping through your skirts, dresses, and pants, seamless underwear is another great thing to look for. It’s also great because it doesn’t dig into the skin compared to traditional underwear.
Which underwear strikes the healthiest balance of all the above? Scroll on to find out.
12 best pairs of better-for-you underwear
Sizes: XS-3X
At under $20 bucks for 10 pairs, this budget-friendly pack of undies from Fruit of the Loom proves you don’t need to pay a premium for good underwear. The bikini cut style offers ample coverage, and is made of 100 percent cotton for a soft and comfortable fit. Plus, they come in a bunch of fun patterns and colors.
Colors: 3
Cut: Bikini
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Comes with 10 undies
- Provides ample coverage
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons:
- Runs small, according to some reviewers
Get 7 pairs for $30
Sizes: XXS-XXL
These Aerie no-show underwear are made using 100 percent cotton—which means they’re as comfortable and breathable as it gets. It also has raw-cut edges to stay undetectable under outfits. What’s more, Aerie shoppers love them too—they say the soft fabric and comfy fit make them a perfect everyday underwear option.
Colors: 4
Cut: Cheeky
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Breathable
- Comfortable to wear
- Available in variety of neutral colors
Cons:
- Pricey per pair
Get 3 pairs for $48 or 5 pairs for $80
Sizes: XS-3X
We love Cuup’s unlined bras, so we were psyched to learn the brand’s undies are made of modal, a supersoft material beloved by gynecologists for its breathable and moisture-wicking feel. The high waisted thong offers the minimal coverage you’d expect from a thong (which also means no panty lines) but with unprecedented comfort and softness that you really just need to feel to believe. It’s even fashioned with a bamboo lining for added moisture-wicking and antimicrobial benefits.
Colors: 6
Cut: Thong
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Soft
- Made of antimicrobial bamboo
- Moisture-wicking
- Fewer lines under clothing
Cons:
- Expensive
Sizes: XS-3X
“Great options don’t have to be expensive, a personal favorite of mine are the moisture- wicking CoolBlend by Fruit of the Loom,” says Dr. Gaither. Available in high-cut and bikini styles, this affordable pack of Fruit of the Loom underwear touts a blend of breathable cotton with moisture-wicking polyester to keep you feeling cool and dry all day long. Even better, they have more than 47,000+ 5-star reviews on Amazon, so you know they’re good.
Colors: 2
Cut: Bikini
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Breathable
- Moisture-wicking
- Machine-washable
- Good value
Cons:
- Lines may show under clothing
Sizes available: XS-2X
While you probably know the brand for its socks, Bombas has actually been making underwear since 2021. For every pair you buy, another pair is donated to the homeless community (FYI: underwear is the second most requested item in homeless shelters). This tagless brief style is made of a supersoft modal (another gynecologist-approved fabric) and breathable cotton blend, offers full cheek coverage, and features a special, comfy waistband that doesn’t dig into your waist.
Colors: 6
Cut: Brief
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Supportive
- Breathable
- Comfortable waistband
- Full cheek coverage
Cons:
- Expensive
Sizes available: XS-XL
Next to cotton, bamboo is a natural material that gynecologists love for its breathability and gentle feel. And eco-friendly underwear brand, Boody, has plenty of options to choose from. These high-waisted briefs are a super comfortable, full-coverage option—perfect for folks who like to lounge in their undies. They’re made of 79 percent bamboo viscose, giving them a lightweight, breathable feel that’s quick-drying. And after more than 4,000 reviews, the Boody briefs have totally earned a near-perfect 5-star rating.
Colors: 10
Cut: Brief
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor-resistant
- Breathable
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Runs small
- Tight fit
Sizes available: XS-XXL
If you’re a regular gym-goer, you won’t regret investing in a pack of Lululemon’s UnderEase underwear. They’re made of a stretchy and soft modal material—which gynecologists love for its moisture-wicking properties—that’s naturally breathable and quick-drying, making them a must for sweaty workouts. Factor in the flat seams that help prevent chafing and the smooth dig-free waistband, and they’re a true MVP (most valuable panty).
Colors: 4
Cut: Bikini
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Breathable
- Designed for movement
- Mid-rise fit
- Silky soft
Cons:
- Pricey per panty
Sizes available: XS-4X
We love Knix’s size-inclusive underwear, and it turns out the fabric on the brand’s Essential High Rise undies are OB/GYN-approved, too. The cotton and spandex blend makes these seamless underwear supremely soft and comfortable, but also incredibly breathable—perfect for everyday wear. What’s more, it can hold up to three super tampons’ worth of liquid.
Colors: 4
Cut: High-rise
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Low-rise fit
- Breathable
- Soft
- Holds up to 3 super tampons’ worth of liquid
Cons:
- Expensive per panty
Get 3 pairs for $36
Sizes available: XXS-XXL
For a breathable, no-frills thong that’s also better for you, Everlane’s Cotton Thong is as good as it gets. It’s made of 92-percent Supima cotton—which is even more comfortable and more durable than regular cotton. The tag-free design and smooth waistband gives these underwear a seamless fit that’s so comfy, you’ll even forget you have them on, according to one Everlane reviewer.
Colors: 3
Cut: Thong
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Supersoft
- Tag-free design
- Smooth waistband
- Breathable
Cons:
- Pricey per panty
Sizes available: XXS-4X
Try as you might to resist, Skims underwear really is that good. Featuring high-cut legs, a cheeky backside, and a high-ish waist, the brand’s Cheeky Tanga underwear are proof that functional, good-for-you underwear can be sexy, too! They’re made of 90 percent cotton and feature a touch of spandex for that covetable and comfortable stretch. And after over 1,000 reviews, Skims underwear shoppers say they’re a total must-buy.
Colors: 8
Cut: Cheeky
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Stretchy
- Comfortable
- Falls below the waist
- Available in sizes up to 4XL
Cons:
- Expensive per panty
Available sizes: XS-3X
Made of 93 percent organic cotton, this bundle of Thirdlove underwear is well worth the splurge. The tag-free undies boast a fuller coverage, hipster silhouette that is still plenty breathable on your bits—per gynecologists’ recommendations. According to reviews, Thirdlove shoppers say the comfortable fit on these is unmatched, and that they don’t ride up throughout the day. With all of these qualities, it’s no wonder Thirdlove is one of the top underwear brands.
Colors: 4
Cut: Bikini
Care: Hand wash
Pros:
- Four-way stretch
- Comfortable
- Wedgie-proof
Cons:
- Not invisible under clothes
Sizes available: XXS-6X
These bikini briefs are made of a blend of 95 percent cotton and 5 percent spandex, rendering them stretchy and breathable. The bikini brief style offers moderate coverage, and the undies are tag-free, so no more itching. Also nice? They come in a set of six and in dozens of colors and prints.
Colors: 25
Cut: Bikini
Care: Machine or hand wash
Pros:
- Good value
- Available in a variety of colors
- Stretchy
- Breathable
- Tag-free
Cons:
- Runs small
FAQs
Which underwear brand is best for women?
No studies have been conducted that conclude that one brand is superior over another, says Gunvor Ekman Ordeberg, MD, PhD, OB/GYN, and co-founder of DeoDoc Intimate Skincare. Dr. Ordeberg instead recommends finding underwear that have at least 95 percent cotton in the shell and 100 percent cotton in the shell. Cotton undies and organic cotton underwear are some of the best types of underwear for women.
Which underwear is comfortable for women?
“This is very individual,” says Dr. Ordeberg. “Some prefer thongs, others briefs.” Choose an underwear that’s moisture-wicking, breathable, and comfortable.
What is the most popular style of women's underwear?
There’s not enough research to determine the most popular style. “Based on my clinical experience, too many women use lace or other synthetic materials that are not breathable,” which can cause yeast infections or irritation, explains Dr. Ordeberg. She suggests going with cotton.
What is the healthiest underwear to wear?
Dr. Ordeberg recommends cotton underwear that doesn’t cut into the skin or cause you to chafe.
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