In 2019, rapper Cardi B sparked a debate after she uploaded a video where she had pulled down her skinny pants to her thighs. The reason, Cardi said, was to avoid getting a yeast infection. The video, which had 19 million views, sparked a common concern: Are tight pants bad for you?
Today, as the debate on whether the skinny fit is still in style continues, gynecologists and experts say that overly fitted bottoms going out of style may not be the worst news for your vagina’s health.
Why are tight pants bad for your health?
A 2019 study published by the Boston University School of Public Health in Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease raised the alarm when it found that wearing tight-fitting jeans or pants four or more times in a week nearly doubled the risk of vulvodynia, a condition that causes chronic pain in the vulva (outer part of the female reproductive system).
Researchers who conducted the study pointed out that wearing tight bottoms can ‘create an environment that fosters genital tract infections, which have been shown to be associated with vulvar pain onset’.
Side effects of wearing tight bottoms
Dr Karthika Reddy, consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, agrees. She adds that when women wear tight-fitting clothes, the skin in the vulvar area may have abrasions and at times, even skin irritation. This is because the skin in the vulvar area is too sensitive. “Sweat and other fluids get accumulated in the area, causing irritation and redness and creating an environment for infections to thrive.”
Can tight jeans lead to poor blood circulation?
In some cases, wearing skinny pants or leggings can also lead to poor blood circulation in the legs, adds Dr Reddy.
There have been documented cases of discomfort, such as a woman who spent many hours of the day squatting while wearing skinny jeans experienced foot numbness. This is one of the most common signs of poor blood circulation.
However, whether a pair of bottoms are ‘too tight’ or ‘comfortable’ is subjective, Dr Reddy says.
What is vulvodynia?
Dr Reddy says that vulvodynia is a condition of the vulva with no specific causes but is characterised by unexplained chronic abdominal pain and discomfort.
Dr Reddy recalls the case of a 25-year-old woman, who complained of itching, irritation and prolonged pain in the vulvar region during a routine consultation. “Locally, we did not find anything unusual on examination. We checked if she had any history of urinary tract infections and pain in the vulvar area,” says Dr Reddy. Upon probing, doctors found that the woman frequently wore skintight pants, which exerted pressure on her crotch area.
Dr Reddy says that in this case, topical steroid creams that would provide relief from the itching and irritation were prescribed alongside physical therapy sessions and psychosexual counselling. “We counselled her on basic vulvar care — how the vulvar health must be maintained. All these together helped manage the vulvodynia,” she says.
What happens with tight-fitting pants
Dr Reddy says that some of the common effects of wearing fitted jeans on the vulvar area include:
- Redness
- Rashes
- Itching
- Irritation
- Abnormal discharge
In rare cases, it can lead to abdominal pain, adds Dr Reddy.
Dr Nandita Palshetkar, Mumbai-based gynecologist and former president of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI), says that wearing skinny pants for prolonged periods can cause repeated infections in the vaginal area.
“Wearing tight pants for prolonged periods, especially in hot and humid climates, can cause excessive sweating and eventually cause vaginitis, an infection or inflammation of the vagina,” she says, adding that the most common symptoms of vaginitis include itching and irritation and a foul-smelling, unusual-looking discharge.
A study also found that wearing fitted pants was one of the risk factors for developing vaginal candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by yeast. Dr Reddy adds that apart from the fungal infection, women could have irritation caused by skin inflammation, which needs to be examined.
Dr Shanta Kumari, Hyderabad-based gynecologist, obstetrician, and past president, FOGSI, recommends consulting a gynecologist at the first sign of trouble. “The doctor may prescribe a topical medication to relieve the irritation and discomfort,” she says.
Pick breathable clothes over tight ones
Dr Kumari says it is ideal to wear loose clothes, especially in hot, humid weather and when you might exert yourself and sweat. “Pick clothes made of fabrics you can breathe in (textiles that will support good air circulation) instead of synthetic materials. Picking underwear made of breathable fabrics like cotton is also important,” says Dr Kumari. Even while choosing activewear to play a sport or for exercise, experts say it is always best to consider the weather conditions, fabric material, colour, weight, moisture-wicking capacity, comfort level and type of activity.
When one habitually wears tight pants, concerns regarding vaginal thrush, a fungal infection characterised by white vaginal discharge, itching and irritation as well as pain when passing urine or having sex also arise. According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), to avoid vaginal thrush, one must avoid wearing fitted, restrictive or synthetic clothing, including tights, nylon underwear, leggings, lycra shorts and skinny jeans or trousers.
Dr Reddy says one must avoid scented vaginal products such as scented sanitary pads and tampons. She cautions against the use of intimate hygiene products. It is best to clean the vulvar area with warm water,” she says.
Dr Kumari says that keeping the area dry and clean with a clean cloth will lower the risk of infections, apart from ensuring washroom hygiene measures are in place.
Dr Palshetkar says that those with a history of infections in the vaginal and vulvar region must avoid wearing those tight denim fabric bottoms, as it will only aggravate the problem and cause repeated infections.
Takeaways
Wearing tight-fitting jeans or trousers frequently and for prolonged periods creates an environment where moisture gets trapped, leading to fungal and bacterial infections in the vulvar region. Doctors recommend wearing breathable clothes instead of fitted ones.
