Bathing suit shopping often unfolds like this: you sift through a variety of styles, from daring monokinis to classic one-pieces, all in search of the perfect fit for your fabulous body. You gather a few options, with each suit’s daringness reflecting your self-confidence. Some mothers confidently pick bikinis, while others opt for strapless monokinis or tankinis. A few may even require the security of a tummy-control one-piece, which will remain under a cover-up until the last possible moment.
Once you’ve chosen your favorites, it’s time to head to the dressing room. You hang up your selected suits—typically five different styles—and begin to strip down: shirt, bra, pants, and—wait! Stop right there. Don’t forget to keep those panties on, my friend. Trying on swimsuits without underwear is like pressing your most intimate areas against fabric that has been worn by numerous others. In fact, it’s exactly that.
When we see clothing with tags still attached, we instinctively think it’s untouched and fresh. However, retail experts have revealed a startling reality. A segment from Good Morning America had microbiologist Dr. Mark Thompson examine supposedly new garments, and the results were eye-opening. Many items tested were found to harbor various bacteria, including fecal and vaginal organisms. “Some garments were grossly contaminated with many organisms,” he noted, suggesting that either multiple individuals tried them on, or someone did so with significant contamination. Essentially, you could be touching someone else’s armpit or groin.
In the case of swimwear, this is particularly concerning. You could be at risk for a yeast infection, norovirus, or even MRSA. And this isn’t just limited to jackets or tops; swimsuits tend to be the worst offenders. “But there’s a hygienic liner,” you might argue, gesturing toward the flimsy paper strip attached to the suit. However, according to Huffington Post, these liners are largely ineffective, serving only to give us a false sense of security. Dr. Thompson’s research indicated that swimsuits and underwear carried the highest bacterial loads, particularly the more revealing styles. When women shed their underwear for these suits, they often also discard the liners, heightening the risk of contamination.
The potential consequences of these bacteria hanging out in your swimwear can be quite dire. Fecal bacteria can even carry hepatitis A and traveler’s diarrhea. While contracting herpes or gonorrhea from trying on a suit is “extremely unlikely,” the presence of crabs is a different story—if you try on an infected swimsuit without proper coverage, you could end up with unwelcome guests.
On a more positive note, you don’t have to worry about contracting HIV from a used bathing suit, as confirmed by Dr. Emily Carter, a health expert on the MedHelp forums. That’s one less thing to stress about.
However, this doesn’t negate the many other risks involved. I cannot stress enough: please, for the love of all that is holy, keep your underwear on while trying on swimsuits. Exposing your intimate areas to fabrics previously worn by others is not only a health risk but also a gross experience. In fact, I recommend trying on suits with your underwear on, returning home to wash them thoroughly alongside your hands, and then giving that new bathing suit a good wash before you ever put it on. You’d be shocked at the amount of grossness lurking in swimsuit bottoms.
So, let’s show some respect for ourselves and our fellow women: always wear your underwear when trying on bathing suits, now and forever. Thank you.
For those interested in expanding their family, you can learn about at-home insemination options with the CryoBaby At-Home Insemination Kit. If you’re looking for more information on pregnancy, you can check out this resource on what to expect with your first IUI. And for further insights on related topics, visit Modern Family Blog.
Summary
Always wear your underwear when trying on bathing suits to avoid potential health risks from bacteria. The clothing we assume is clean may harbor harmful organisms. Protect yourself and respect the shared experience by keeping your undergarments on.