Given the chance, we would walk around with none but because we are not living in the 70’s anymore, we have to cover up.
However, an obstetrician and gynaecologist John Ong’ech holds a slightly different opinion. He has no problem with women who choose to go commando only if they are within a clean environment.
“There is no serious evidence conducted on the same but I can hypothesise if you are in a dusty environment, the dust can go below and you can pick infections from the environment easily. But again if you are in a clean environment, I don’t think there is any problem if you don’t put on an underwear,” he says.
Dust he says can carry viral infections from yeast to fungus. This will ultimately get into vagina and cause infections.
In essence, If you are in a dusty environment, you stand the risk of getting an infection if your cookie is all out in that summer dress.
Ong'ech says the Vagina is designed in such a way that it cleans itself naturally. That’s why it's not advisable to put or use soaps down there.
“The body does it naturally. As long as there is no infection, vagina is safe. So what you can do is to avoid getting infections by having multiple sex partners. Practice sex with protection,” he says.
“The colour of the fluid within the vagina should be colourless…anything outside that like yellow or green indicates the presence of an infection. A vagina responds by changing its colour when there is an infection."
According to a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Reproductive Biology in 2003, the choice of fabric for your underwear also matters.
The study revealed that out of 931 patients recruited, a total of 77 patients had a history of recurrent vaginal yeast infection. The report indicates that the most frequent associated factors were related to lifestyle: synthetic fabric underwear, vaginal douching and bike training.
Ong’ech says women should wear what makes them comfortable but a good panty should be of cotton material. This is so because the fabric is gentle to the skin and allows for ventilation.
Regarding thongs and g-strings, the Doctor said there was a lot of debate around it.
"Some people think it's not very healthy, some think there is no issue. I haven’t done any research on it. Some think it predisposes the vagina to more infection others say it doesn't. I cannot take a position,”he said.
When it comes to vaginal discharge the doctor explains that it’s the vaginas way of cleaning itself. A normal discharge he says appears as a white clear fluid with some mucus.
“A vagina responds by changing its colour when there is an infection. There is also an abnormal and normal smell emitted by the vagina. The only way to know if your scent is pleasing is to see a gynae,” he says.
To get an honest review on what women prefer and how they keep it clean, I reached out to a number of people including two males.
MOTHER'S UNION SQUAD?
A photojournalist with the Star Newspaper Moses Mwangi concedes that hygiene is key. He likes it when women wear thongs but admits the commonly known ‘mothers union’ or the granny types are the best fit.
Owing to the nature of his job, Moses has seen it all. He has a dislike for going commando but then again believes women should just wear what makes them comfortable.
“Thongs are good as long as it properly fits someone and it doesn’t interfere with vaginal lining. She must know how to wear it. It should also be noted that it's not something to wear for a long period,” he says.
His love for the ‘mothers union squad’ is undescribable. He insists it's the best because it holds everything together.
“But it can be sweaty for a physically active lady who is always on the move. A lot of hygiene is required and must be changed often,” he says.
His counterpart, Annette Wambulwa, a Reporter with the Star Newspaper, keeps her ‘cookie’ clean by showering twice a day. She also learnt way back on campus that not wearing underwear for 24 hours allows the vagina to breathe.
“My gynaecologist told me that the Vagina cleans itself so we don’t have to use any soap products down there. Just eat healthy and it will thank you,” she says as she smiles.
But she detest g-strings but doesn’t mind thongs.
“There is a difference between thongs and g-strings. I can never wear a g-string. It's uncomfortable. But since a thong has more fabric, it's good for me especially when wearing certain outfits. Generally, I have a mix of thongs (not for everyday wear) and normal lace and cotton underwear. I guess each panty has its own occasion,” she says.
Mercy* a female Nairobi resident said she prefers comfortable mothers union any day, any time. She says she goes Commando only when she is wearing dresses and feels it shouldn’t be faulted by panty lines at all.
“Vaginal health is important. All you need to do is wash up well. I don’t believe in putting things down there. I read somewhere its self-regulating…so I wouldn’t want to mess up with my hormone levels by putting things down there,”she said.
John* a Nairobi resident said he prefers women who wear well-fitting panties and not nylon made. He advocates that women should sleep commando after showers.
“I find thongs and g-strings to be uncomfortable and irritating. I wouldn’t be surprised if one contracts some infection out of the bacteria that could be lurking in the back part of the thong which finds its way to the vagina. But all in all, it’s a matter of preference,” he says.
With that said, I guess underwear or not is a matter of personal preference. Just maintain proper hygiene.
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