Thongs and UTIs: Separating Myth from Fact

I think it’s safe to say no one wants a UTI.

From a medical perspective, we know UTIs can occur when bacteria from the back migrates to the front. This isn’t new information, but it’s still… deeply unpleasant.

There’s also been ongoing conversation around whether or not thongs cause UTIs. A cross-sectional study of nearly 1,000 women found that wearing thong underwear was not significantly associated with higher rates of urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast vaginitis, or bacterial vaginosis compared with women who wore other underwear styles. The researchers concluded that underwear style itself isn’t an independent predictor of infection, and that fabric choice and other factors (like behavior) are more relevant to urogenital health.¹

So where do thongs come into the picture?

Anecdotally, some women have found that wearing thongs seems to co-occur with higher incidences of UTIs, especially if they’re already prone to them.

In classic newsort™ fashion, we look at this from an engineering perspective.

All thongs involve a very narrow strip of fabric in the back. Because that strip is so narrow and often very stretchy, it stays in closer contact with areas where bacteria naturally live. As you move throughout the day, stretch and recovery in the fabric can create subtle back-and-forth motion that may increase the chance of bacteria being transferred. Especially when the thong is cut from highly stretchy synthetic materials.

Synthetic fabrics also tend to trap more heat and moisture than natural fibers, which can create a more bacteria-friendly environment.

So what can you do to reduce risk?

Our thong is made with a proprietary 100% cotton fabric and designed with no vertical stretch, which reduces sliding between the back and front as the underwear moves with your body. Even in non-thong cuts, very slippery synthetic fabrics that ride up can still move back and forth throughout the day, which is why we paid special attention to both material choice and stretch direction when designing what we believe is the healthiest possible seamless option.

If you’ve experienced UTIs before, upgrading to underwear that minimizes riding up and prioritizes breathability could be the healthy habit that you unlock going forwards.

Oh, and did we mention it's also really comfortable? Learn more about our iconic thong here.