Not only is too-tight underwear generally unflattering (hello, visible bulges and puckering), but it can also promote chafing of the skin and vaginal irritation, especially if youre post-menopausal. For women who are menopausal, their vaginal walls tend to be thin, says Raquel B. Dardik, M.D., clinical associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center. From that perspective, any underwear thats tight enough to rub your skin can result in irritation, she explains. If your skin doesnt get irritated, then great tight underwear wont hurt you. But if you do get irritated because of friction, then its not recommended.