Whether it be the inability to discreetly just whip it out to have a wee whenever needed or if you have periods, having to cough up money for tampons, pads, or indeed panty liners. There are, of course, benefits, but it’s sometimes difficult to remember them.
You may find yourself regularly reaching for panty liners – which basically do what they say on the tin, they line your underwear and act like a thinner version of a sanitary pad.
Some may use them to be safe than sorry, particularly when it comes to the guessing game of when your period is about to arrive or if you experience heavier discharge at certain times of the month.
However, gynaecologist Dr Nicole Williams has taken to TikTok to explain why you should use them ‘sparingly’ and certainly not ‘every day’, given the impact they could potentially have on your vagina’s health.
The dangers of ‘panty liner abuse’
In the video, the doctor revealed that she met with a patient the day before who told her she ‘wore a pantyliner every day’.
Letting out an exasperated squeal, Dr Williams exclaimed: “No wonder she had discharge, her vagina was irritated and just kind of generally unhappy.”
She resolved the patient was exhibiting ‘panty liner abuse’. And the reason why it can be so negative to use panty liners every day?
Well, Dr Williams pointed out the ‘other side’ of the panty liner she had hold of ‘looks like a plastic-y kind of substance’.
“Now, can your vagina breathe through a plastic-y kind of substance?” she continued. “Nope. She can’t.”
‘No panty liners on a daily basis or your vagina will be so annoyed’
Indeed, Flo Health echoes it’s ‘important’ to ‘keep in mind’ panty liners ‘can rub against the labia, possibly triggering redness, irritation, and itching’.
It adds: “Scented panty liners might contain chemicals that can irritate the sensitive tissues around the vagina.
“Both synthetic-fiber underwear and regular use of panty liners with an impermeable layer block air circulation to the reproductive organs and don’t allow sweat to evaporate. Experts recommend using breathable liners that don’t affect airflow and keep your clothes dry.”
Flo Health states that ‘panty liners work best when changed every three to four hours’.
In the video, Dr Williams resolved: “So these are to be used sparingly. Maybe as a tampon back-up or maybe for a light, light day. But please, no panty liners on a daily basis or your vagina will be so annoyed. Happy vaginas all the time. No liners.”
And it’s not taken long for people to flock to the post to weigh in, with many divided.
One TikToker wrote: “Queen I cannot deal with the dampness I have to.”
“People wondering why they have to use them everyday like the panty liners aren’t causing the issue in the first place,” another added.
A third commented: “As someone with frequency inconsistence [sic], I’m going to continue to wear liners daily. If my urogynecologist and pelvic floor PT don’t see an issue, neither do I.”
Well, you’ve been warned.