Getting Cheeky: What You Need to Know About Thongs, Granny Panties, and Going Commando
Ladies are very particular about their underwear choice whether they are team granny panty, team commando, or somewhere in between. I get questions about healthy underwear options a lot because I work with women, and they trust me with their health-related questions. We talk about EVERYTHING. I mean everything. We talk about how coconut oil is great for the skin on your rosy cheeks. And we even talk about the cheeks that aren’t on display every day too. We have to make sure those are covered or in some cases, uncovered.
It’s fun to get cheeky with this topic, but let’s try to stick to the health facts on this one. I’m not going to look at this question as a guy. I’m looking at it as a doc. When I consider the best option for anything from food to underwear, I am thinking about what is going to cause the least change physiologically. So, let’s go through a few of the options in our cheeky checklist to see how they rate for impacting your health.
The Thong also Known as Cheek Floss
I’m not a fan of thongs, or what I call cheek floss, because of how they get all up in your anatomy. I know a lot of guys like them, but from a health point these aren’t a good option. In recent years thongs have been losing ground in the underwear market and aren’t as popular among millennials. I like to see that because there is no health benefit to wearing a thong and it can actually cause transference of bacteria and can be very irritating. Your vulva and labia are very sensitive. Lace thongs are especially irritating to the sensitive area they are covering. A lacy thong would be your worse choice underwear from a health standpoint.
Going Commando
A quarter of women go commando at least some of the time, and 7 percent say they skip the undergarments all the time. I can see how it would save a lot of money and it is a good idea to let your lady parts breath. Is going commando hygienic? Wearing underwear can trap moisture, which is not a good idea. You can’t have bacteria without moisture, so going without underwear can cut down your risk of infections.
The thing I worry about with going commando is that there are seams and parts of the pants that will rub and irritate the genital area. Jeans weren’t made for commando. There are also women who are worried about discharge and this might not be the best option for them. If you are having a lot of discharge throughout the month you should check with a doctor to find out why. Overall, going commando can be a good idea but use it with caution. Choose loose fitting breathable clothes when going commando.
Granny Panties and Everything in Between
Boy shorts, briefs, hipsters, seamless, French cut, and so many other options are available to women. A good healthy underwear option is a light, breathable organic cotton underwear. The labia and vaginal area are supposed to be moist, but you don’t want the underwear to hold that moisture in. Where there is moisture, bacteria can grow. You really want to avoid synthetic materials like rayon because they can really trap the moisture in.
Other things you can avoid with a good organic panty are synthetic dyes, flame retardants, formaldehyde, pesticides and other harmful chemicals that can be found on other options. You don’t want those chemicals being absorbed through your skin!
Choose the Best Healthy Underwear Option for You
Get cheeky and love your underwear choice. You want to choose a healthy underwear option that is going to cause the least physical change to your body. Make a good choice for you! Your choice shouldn’t stress you out or make you uncomfortable because stress is bad for your health. Pick one that makes you feel the best.
Written by Dr. Patrick Flynn
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