Is The Thong All Wrong for Women's Health?

Photo Credit: Vince Viloria
Some 93% of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women are caused by the enteric (bowel) bacteria called E. Coli. Theoretically, any mechanical movement which moves stray E. Coli from the anal opening toward the urethra should increase risk of UTIs. Thongs with their positioning in the gluteal fold would seem ideally suited to providing transit opportunities for E. Coli. Yet there is no published data which suggests that UTIs are more frequent in thong wearers. Looking back to earlier studies one can find that, despite popular opinion, there is not association between tight pants or other restrictive clothing and UTIs (Remis, Am J Epidemiol,1987; Foxman, Am J Pub Health, 1985). Overwhelmingly the strongest predictive factors for UTIs in younger women are: increased frequency of intercourse, use of diaphragm + spermicide, spermicide use, and past history of other UTIs (Hooton, N Engl J Med, 1996).
E. Coli can also be found in the vagina. Yet it is not a common cause for vaginal infections. As with UTIs one of the easier ways for bowel bacteria to get into the vagina is via intercourse. Perhaps the most important preventative measure is to clean well after bowel movements (always wiping away from the vagina/urethra) - and never have sex (just kidding).
As anyone who has ever used thongs can attest, there is a wide range in fit. The strap can be thick or thin, and the overall fit can be loose or what one women's magazine called "atomic buttocks' floss." It may be true that tight thongs can cause irritative pressure to the clitoris or to other friction sensitive conditions such as lichen sclerosus or external hemorrhoids. Alas, no one has published any data about the incidence of such problems.
Surprisingly, researchers have done experiments about the type of fabrics used in undergarments. Comparing 100% cotton to 100% acrylic, under resting and exercise conditions, both materials were found to be equal in their wicking abilities. Only in the subjects who perspired most heavily was there a difference. Cotton accululated 71 grams of sweat compared to 46 grams in the acrylic (Rissanen, Ann Physiol Anthropol, 1994).
When types of underwear material were correlated to frequency of UTIs, Foxman and Frerichs (1984) found cotton panty use linked to increased UITs. When women with documented UTIs were asked about underwear habits over the preceding month, both initial and recurrent UTI sufferers stated cotton rather than synthetic panty use.
The above fact illustrates the scientific principle, "association does not always prove causation." Rather than cotton underpants causing increased UTIs, perhaps cotton is chosen by women who are at risk for getting more bladder infections. By the same logic, before we condemn thong underwear, one would need to take into account the individual GYN history of the woman wearing the thong. In some instances the thong may be wrong, in others - no problem.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: thong, underwear, sexual health, urinary tract infections, UTI, vaginal infections, hemorrhoids, womens health, health and wellness


18 Comments:
thank you,thank you, thank you!
I've worn thongs for years and never have UTI's or other problems. I think if the sizing is correct, they are the most comfortable undies around!
what is the point of thongs really? Undies are supposed to keep your clothes clean essentially, how can a tiny panel of fabric keep your jeans clean?! May as well not wear any undies at all!
thongs do keep your clothes clean
there is material between your parts and your clothes, just not your butt and your clothes
Not only that thongs are more comfortable,there are no panty lines or embarrassing wedgies.I have never had an infection either.
I can't understand why women wear thongs....yes, I know, because of men, but I still don't understand why anyone would want to wear such an uncomfortable pair of underwear...and bad for your health!
Why are women so concerned about what underwear other women choose? I understand that some of the comments are just ways for women to put other women down. The same as I understand the phrase "research does not show more frequency of UTI in thong wearers" (so much for "bad for your health"). I also understand that wearing them does not make them less clean and that they wear them for more reasons than "because of men"
I am a 53 year old woman (married to the same man for 27 years) & believe me I do not wear thongs "because of men". I wear them because they are so comfortable. When the proper size & type are worn it feels like You are not wearing anything at all. Wish I could say the same for my bras!
I've been wearing thongs for years and definitely not for men. As a matter of fact, at this point I look better in regular panties, but thongs are so comfortable that I can't give them up. As others have stated, as long as you get the right size, they're wonderful. An added benefit is that a thong helps to keep my sanitary pads in place during my period.
im 40 years old and i have worn thongs for 10 years and i cant go back to the granny pantys thats how much more comfy they are
i can't imagine wearing a nice, well-fitted dress and having my pantyline exposed for all the world to see. it's definately not because of men. that is a misconception.
I have never had a UTI and i have been wearing thongs for 8 yrs now. And I wear them to avoid my underwear crunching up, the annoying wedgies and panty lines.
I'm sorry but this article is very misleading. The papers that you mention (Foxman and Hooton) are of low quality (small case-control and very old).
In addition Foxman et. al. do not research thongs. They research tight jeans and actually show they increase the risk of UTI!
In any case anyone who is familiar with EBM knows that when there is no good evidence, pathophysiological rational counts. Therefore, we can still suspect that thongs might cause UTI.
They are sexy, though...
For the past year I have been wearing womens panties daily. Most are thongs, but have g-strings and bikinis also. It took wearing a thong a few times to used to them. Now I love them. They are very comfortable and sexy. I like the ones with lace, ruffles, bows, etc, in feminine colors such as pink, lavender, light yellow, etc. I look and feel great in them.
From someone who refused to wear them for years, take it from me: thongs are way more comfortable. No more wedgies or pulling them out of your crack. No pantie lines! The fact that men like them is icing on the cake. Seems to me that women who like finding any kind of fault with thong wearers might think they won't look good in them themselves. But I don't care who you are or how much you weigh...they are still far more comfortable, practical and sexy than grandma undies
i love wearing thongs,up to about 6 months ago i never considerd wearing a thong but whilst in a well known supermarket i bought a black thong called bodysculp control thong by george,about a week later i tried it on,the thong instantly slipped right up my arse crack,i was pleasantly surprised how erotic and confortable it felt,they are an all round tight fit with a high waist,being slighly elastic and skin tight these lovely knickers feel pleasantly tight and cosy up my arse,the crotch is not too narrow,about 1 inch wide so they don't cut in and feel uncomfortable,the feel pleasantly tight and snug,i went back to the store and bought another 10 pairs so i always have a clean pair to put on,i've started to wear stockings & suspenders,i've been out today wearing a knee length pink skirt with black stockings and high heels,walking around like this feels quite eroctic with my thong knickers so tight up my arse,i wear them all day with no hint of sliping down or becoming loose,i now always wear them to work under a knee length skirt with stockings in the office,if i benb over or reach out a lot the knickers never move,they always stay tight,mainly because they are slightly elastic so give a lot,standard panties seem so boring by comparison,sometimes when getting out of my car my skirt rides up showing part of my stocking tops and feeling my knickers slightly pulling up into my arse,i realy like that moment,i wear these knickers so often now it feels quite normal to have them up my arse.are there any women out there who find wearing a standard thong unconfortable well try a waist high support thong for that sexy tight feeling of wearing knickers tight up your arse. Jane
I am 27 and love wearing thongs and simply would not consider anything else as they are so comfortable. I generally wear cotton thongs for everyday use and I have a good selection of sexy thongs for special occasions.
I have never had any UTI`s or other problems related to wearing my thong and thongs have any advantages over big knickers like no VPL through light coloured and tight fitting clothes or knickers riding up my bum.
Also my thongs seem to drive my boyfriend wild, dont know why.. I told him he is weird but he certainly prefers them over normal knickers.
So overall wearing a thong has many advantages for me.
I have been wearing only thong panties for several years now and find them to be very comfortable and I love the lacy ones. Yes, you do have to change them for sanitary reasons, everyday of course, but make sure you are clean and dry after using the potty. I prefer cotton thong panties in warm weather though. Wearing nylon thong panties with pantyhose in warm weather is not my idea of feeling comfortable.
I feel great in them in shorts or pants and you don't have to worry about panty lines and they give me great support.
I have never worried about UTI but do watch out for tail bone rash or fungus if you sweat a lot.
I am a guy, and you have no idea how many men do wear women's thong panties. After a few times wearing them, you hardly know you have them on. Certainly more comfortable than "jock straps" or athletic supporters. No! I do not wear them for a sexual thrill, but I would suppose some men do.
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