Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal condition for women and people assigned female at birth between the ages of 15-44. In fact, it impacts at least a third of the female population in the US. Today, there are multiple different types of period products, and one that we're hearing more and more about is period panties. So how do they work, and can they help prevent BV?

What is BV?

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection (not an STI!) that happens when the level of bacteria in your vagina is unbalanced. It can happen to anyone with a vagina, and some potential causes can be sex with a new partner, use of antibiotics, pregnancy, douching, or having an IUD. For some people, it can be asymptomatic, but symptoms often include a thin, grey, white or green discharge with a fishy odor, as well as causing itchiness both on your vulva and inside your vagina, and a burning sensation when urinating. It can go away on its own in some cases, but it’s also treatable with creams or oral medication. BV can be a recurring problem: 1 in 3 people’s BV comes back within 3 months, and more than half find it returns within 12 months. 

Unfortunately, BV can impact your fertility. While it doesn’t directly cause infertility, there is a correlation and it can increase the risk of fertility problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, and tissue damage causing blockages in the fallopian tubes. 

Can period panties help with BV?

Period panties may well be the answer to helping prevent BV. Visually, they’re just like normal underwear and can be washed with the rest of your laundry, but they’re made of highly absorbent materials that soak up your blood, negating the need for sanitary pads, tampons, or other menstrual products. They can usually hold multiple tampons’ worth of blood, wick away moisture, and in turn, can reduce the likelihood of infection. PSA: Google the company and “PFAS” before you buy period underwear to make sure they don’t use harmful chemicals in production. While most companies have resolved concerns about using PFAS over the past few years, it never hurts to double check.

Wrapping up and top tips

Using period panties can be a great, environmentally friendly choice - and while we think they’re a fantastic option, they don’t guarantee you won’t ever get BV. To prevent BV, here are some of our top tips:

• Make sure you’re practicing good hygiene: Shower regularly, using unscented products. This includes being selective with your bath products - those glittery, highly scented bath bombs may look the bomb, but they’re not exactly vagina friendly. 
• Your vagina is self-cleaning. Avoid putting anything inside your vagina and douching. Wash your vulva only with warm water and mild, unscented soap. 
• If you’re using sanitary pads or tampons, make sure you change them every 4-8 hours.
• When you go to the bathroom, ensure you always wipe wiping front to back.
• After sex, always pee. It helps clear out germs and bacteria from the urethra, helping  protect you from infections and UTIs. 
• If you use sex toys, make sure you clean them thoroughly after each and every use with warm, mildly soapy water, to stop the risk of bacteria spreading. 

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