When you want to avoid UTIs, choosing the right underwear is essential. Whether you get recurrent UTIs or only have them on rare, unpleasant occasions, the symptoms of painful urination, soreness in the urethra, bladder, or abdomen, horrid-smelling urine, or super uncomfortable sex will remind you -- proper underwear is a must-have.
So what kind should you get?
Before we get into our favorite undies, let's talk about which features you'll need to ensure a UTI-free life. The basics of warding off UTIs come down to preventing bacteria from gathering and gaining access to the urethra.
The close proximity of the urethra to the anus means the added threat of E.coli lingers, increasing a lady's chances of getting a UTI. Both of these issues can be minimized by following a few simple hygiene rules.
Wiping from front to back, staying clean, showering regularly, and changing damp or wet underwear ASAP after working out can all contribute to a UTI-free life. Don't give bacteria a chance to hang out!
Additionally, going commando overnight to let your body breathe, steering clear of douches or female deodorants, drinking plenty of water, and using the restroom as soon as you realize you need to go can all help you stay clean on the inside as well as out.
Here are some of the best underwear to prevent UTIs.
Top 10 Best Underwear for Preventing UTIs
Pro: Super comfy in pretty colors/designs.
Con: Need to be pulled up high in the back or they can be a bit saggy.
Plush-back soft waistband: Fruit of the Loom is a classic brand, well-known and trusted for generations. These colorful cotton bikinis are available in an array of eye-catching hues, prints, or subtle body tones, as well as machine washable, and 100% cotton. Available in 8 sizes, they’re backed by a soft plush waistband and high cut irritation-free side seams.
The downside is that for some ladies, depending upon the ampleness (or lack thereof) of your derriere, the back may sag unless pulled all the way up. Aside from that, some customers reportedly received a different color combo than the one they picked out -- but they liked the others as well, so kept them. But you can return yours if you don’t!
Pro: Stay-in-place design holds panties in place, with no ride-ups.
Con: May shrink a bit after washing.
Boy shorts in front, bikini in back: In sizes from 0-16, these are sexy with a bit of comfy extra coverage to keep things in place. They are soft and comfortable, high quality in design and durability. Flattering to every shape, they’re available in 10-packs of gorgeous mixed colors and designs.
The only two downsides are 1. You may not get exactly the colors you choose. Apparently some have received different assortments, although they are backed by 100% money back guarantees, so send them back if you don’t like them! 2. They may shrink a little when washed, so you may want to go with a size bigger than your usual size just in case.
Pro: Flexible and stretchy but delicate and silky to the touch.
Con: Buy a size larger to avoid muffin top and ride-ups.
Flexibility and subtlety of design: Available in toasted almond and midnight black, these subtle beauties are invisible under clothes, stretchy to enhance comfort, and easy on the lace to keep things simple yet pretty. Will hide your panty lines as well as any thong ever did.
You may want to order a size larger with these as well, as smaller sizes could allow for riding up and/or muffin top exposure.
Pro: Sexy, unique designs in 100% cotton.
Con: Cut thick across the gusset.
Perfect for larger behinds: Comes in packs of 3 with attractive, complementary colors and a cut that both flatters the curvy girls in back and hides panty lines in all types of garments. Cut nicely for well-endowed backsides
The only downside with these is that they’re cut thick across the gusset, which may not be a downside if you’re a brand new mom or otherwise prefer to wear thick maxi-pads.
Pro: Perfect for a variety of activities as well as undies.
Con: Not labeled in front or back, so it’s a surprise every time.
Great for biking, the beach, yoga: Wear them as undies or walk out the door in them for yoga class or a bike ride. They give a little extra confidence when worn under short skirts as well. No irritating seams in irritating places, these are available in black, beige (nude), or white.
The downside is they aren’t labeled in front or back, and there isn’t a tag either (thankfully). This means, however, that you may put them on only to find they’re backwards the first try. So you’ll have to take them off and turn them around if you want to be comfortable. Not totally convenient, but worse things have happened. Some also felt they were smaller and tighter than shown in pics.
Pro: Made with 94% luxurious Peruvian Pima Cotton.
Con: Available in 8 colors but only 3 sizes.
High quality breathable yet sumptuous: The Cabana Cotton collection is super soft and cozy with their high Peruvian Pima cotton content. These bikinis have optimal coverage for staying comfortably in place and pretty, trimmed, flat edges.
The downside is you can have fun choosing from 8 original colors (we like cornflower), but if you don’t fit into a standard small, medium, or large size panty, you’re out of luck.
Pro: Modern design with an iconic waistband.
Con: Some indicate unwanted muffin top effect; gusset seems narrow to others.
Cute and comfy with recognizable Calvin Klein branding: These might be the most comfortable panties you’ll ever own. Stylish with breathable, durable fabric, these bikinis are perfect for matching with bras of the same brand/color. Sporty, soft, and true to size, they give ample backside coverage without any irritating seams.
The downside is you may experience a muffin top effect (although some thought it was cute, others may not), and the gusset is noticeably on the narrow side.
Pro: Simple, soft stretch around waist and thighs.
Con: Some reported annoying tags on theirs which needed to be cut and unthreaded.
The perfect panty to wear with white pants: You’ll see no panty lines with these, nor muffin tops, nor itching of any kind. Also won’t ride up. Some have changed brands and will only buy this one for now due to comfort of fabric and fit.
The downside is tags on the backsides of these, which itch and irritate after you put them on. Make sure you remove tags well ahead of events or days you’ve planned on wearing these.
Pro: Made from an opulent, breathable European cotton blend.
Con: Uncomfortable seams.
Soft enough to wear until bedtime: Made in the USA, these boyshorts are 80% European cotton, with a line-free design for the ideal fit. The pleasant, subdued colors available will make you want to show these off!
The downside is the seam that’s uncomfortably stitched across the gusset. While panty lines don’t show as promised, this seam may be a deal ender for some.
Pro: Natural, premium fabric ideal for sensitive skin.
Con: Only available in 3 colors.
Each panty comprises 95% Global Organic Textile Standard Certified Cotton: Sizes run from XS to XL in these, so there's likely a perfect fit for everyone. What's more? They're delivered in a cute pink box that feels like a little gift to ourselves, ladies -- and of course, we deserve it!
The downside to these are only available in 3 colors: black, white, and natural. If you had blues, pinks, and yellows on your mind, you may want to choose from another of our picks above.
Best Underwear to Prevent UTIs: Choosing The Right Panties for Your Vagina
Buy underwear that breathes. This means cotton underwear -- and not just in the crotch lining. It needs to be 100% cotton (or close to it!) in the front, back, and on the sides. Lace, lycra, nylon, and polyester may be sexy and beautiful, but they don’t promote the optimal breathability needed to prevent UTIs.
100% Cotton Underwear
As mentioned above, the best choice of underwear fabric for women wanting to prevent UTIs is 100% cotton. These can be any style as long as they are comfortably fitting (not too tight) and any color. Make sure they’re cotton all around, though, and not just the crotch. To prevent UTIs, we need the best of breathability to ensure air circulates and eliminates any trapped moisture that can aid bacterial growth.
- Provides all day comfort and breathability
- Offers a perfect fit with no pinch no poke or dig-in
- Full coverage fit maintains modesty
Moisture Wicking Underwear
Find undies with moisture wicking material. Moisture wicking fabric brilliantly draws moisture out and away from the skin, keeping your nether regions dry. Rather than sitting in a moisture-laden bacterial stew all day, your lady parts stay fresh as the air circulates through the fabric.
- Women’s Classic Bikini Underwear: Featuring a classic brief shape and classic Boody comfort, the...
- Moderate to Full Coverage Fit: With our signature seamfree sides, the Classic Bikini delivers 100% in...
- Soft Waistband: Features a soft, flat-ribbed waistband lays flat, stays in place, and won't roll or...
Find Alternatives To Thongs
Thongs may be sexy and great for hiding panty lines, but they can be problematic for preventing UTIs. For one thing, if you wear them for sports or workouts, the friction they produce can be irritating. They can also move any E.coli in the region forward just enough to introduce it to the vagina or urethra, causing any number of problems including possible UTIs. Your best bet is to choose from among some cute thong alternatives.
- Comfy Daily Underwear: Hip measurement in inches. X-Small:34-35.5; Small:36-37.5; Medium:38-39.5;...
- No Show Underwear: Thin flat and stretchy elastic waistband at the top offer a smooth appearance for no...
- Hipster Panties: The waistband hits right at the waistline, about 2 or 3 inches below belly...
Find Alternatives To Shapewear And Spanx
Avoid Shapewear and Spanx as often as possible. While they do flatter the shape, they also prevent us from peeing as often as we need to (it’s never fun peeing with Shapewear on -- so most women simply avoid it for as long as they can). They’re also, at times, too tight. The combination of tight and pee-preventing creates the possibility of a UTI, which we specifically want to avoid. For a solution, we’re recommending a light control, easy-to-remove shapewear alternative.
- All-over light control shaping.Full coverage
- Move-with-you cotton, spandex blend
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