Is wearing a thong bad for your health? Here's everything you need to know

Invisible under jeansand a perfect way to enhance your buttocks under a skirt or tight trousers, the thong has many advantages, which is why it is such a popular choice of underwear.

But have you ever wondered what it might be doing to your private parts? Gynaecologists have looked into the item and have made a rather alarming observation about the impact of G-string underwear on our bodies... Let's get into it.

Is a thong dangerous for your private parts?

Many doctors have been questioned on this subject and their answers are irrefutable: thongs can be dangerous.

Dr Shieva Ghofrany, obstetrician and gynaecologist, and Dr Jill Maura Rabin, Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Women's Health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the United States, explained that a thong worn daily for several hours can cause a lot of irritation to the intimate area.

But that's not all, it also promotes the proliferation of bacteria and can lead to urinary and vaginal infections and irritation. This is mostly due to the material from which thongs are made. There are rumours that thongs can even give you hemorrhoids, but Heathline says this is very unlikely.

Hemorrhoids are swollen, bulging veins that appear around the anus. They can be painful and cause intense itching and even blood when you poo. They happen when there’s too much pressure on the veins around your anus, and - though they sound awful - they’re actually very common. According to Healthline:

But even the snuggest of thongs won’t put enough pressure on your veins to cause hemorrhoids.

That said, if you already have hemorrhoids, the rubbing of a thong could exacerbate the situation.

To make this underwear piece elegant and sexy, brands that sell this type of lingerie often use lace with very fine cuts. Even if this choice makes the piece visually pleasing, this is not quite the case when it comes to comfort. Under clothing, the thong tends to create friction at the hips, between the legs, and on the buttocks. It is this friction that can have serious health consequences.

What kind of underwear should be worn?

So, wearing a thong on a daily basis is not recommended, and even less so when in bed! INTIMA's in-house gynaecologist Dr Susanna Unsworth says:

I would not recommend this – best to allow some time in the day for air to circulated around the vulva – better to not wear any underwear at all.

It can, however, be worn occasionally. The best time to wear one is when you are wearing something loose and comfortable on top.

For long days spent sitting or running between appointments, gynaecologists recommend cotton underwear. This soft material is more gentle on a woman's body and her private parts.

Read more:

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⋙ Queefing: what is it, and should you be worried about this vaginal flatulence?

⋙ This woman was intimate with a ghost for 20 years before she realised what he looked like

Sources used:

Cosmopolitan: EYNTK about thongs and when you shouldn't wear them

HuffPost: Why Your Thong May Be Bad For Your Health

Healthline: Can Thong Underwear Give You Hemorrhoids?