Hey Dr Sue — Why Do Women Wear Panties? It Seems Really Uncomfortable.

I want to start by thanking you for the question. Because this may seem like a really obvious question, but I don’t think many people have thought about it, and I’m not sure we ever teach people why they should wear underwear.

Can anyone actually remember learning the answer to this or is it something you just do?

People of all sexes should wear underwear for a few reasons. One is because it can help with friction. Whether you have a penis or a vulva, the genitals can be sensitive. Underwear tends to be a softer fabric. It can be more comfortable for our genitals to come into contact with our underwear as opposed to our other clothing.

Another reason people wear underwear is to absorb anything that may be coming out of their genitals. Think everything from sweat to secretions. If you’re wearing underwear it gets stopped there instead of getting on your clothes. This can also help with controlling smell if there is any coming from your genitals.

Underwear can also help to stop infection, depending on what kind of underwear it is. Underwear that is slightly looser is better. I don’t mean sagging, but not super tight. Underwear made from fabric that is breathable can help to limit the risk of infections. Think fabrics like cotton. Some infections…