# Would women be gynecologically healthier if they wore skirts and no underwear? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 4, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007 "2003-08-04T23:51:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/21 "2003-08-05T19:21:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Great Unwashed \* > \*\*I guess, if you like your women in pre-pubescent mode. > > Real women have hair, real men like hair on their women. \*\* Bah…you like hair on the legs, underarms, back and chest then too I take it? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/22 "2003-08-05T20:54:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nim \* > \*\*I don’t think you need protection from dirt and dust. Unless you live in the wilderness maybe. \*\* You are grossly overestimating my housekeeping skills. BTW, WTH is “thrush?” Whatever it is I’ve never had it, nor a yeast infection and I’m only bare long enough to take a shower and dry off. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/23 "2003-08-05T21:28:28Z")
So why did the notion of underwear take-off? (he he) And how do I put this delicately…who wants vaginal juices on their sofa or back of skirt or trouser crotch? ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/24 "2003-08-05T21:40:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndrewT \* > \*\*According to that site: > > “Pre-20th century women had to do without knickers and the like because of the perpetual threat of thrush [i.e., yeast infection],” writes authors Janet and Peter Phillips in History From Below: Women’s Underwear and the Rise of Women’s Sports. “Since the vagina is naturally warm and moist, any covering increasing the temperature will put out a welcome mat to thrush.” > > \*\* Not bathing frequently may have had quite a bit to do with this, I should think. Hell, considering how itchy they were all the time (especially given that a lot of people were perpetually infested with fleas and lice) how would a woman \*know \* she what she had was a yeast infection? Secondly, even if she had an infection, there wouldn’t have been much that could have been done. Gynecological medicine really didn’t exist until recently. The only medical help available would have been that of a midwife, since most physicians didn’t deal with problems with the “nether regions.” Not having a name for her ailment, nor, probably even recognizing that it was one, to whom could a woman have turned? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/25 "2003-08-05T22:16:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by voguevixen \* > You are grossly overestimating my housekeeping skills. > > BTW, WTH is “thrush?” > [@](#): > > any of numerous small or medium-sized oscine birds (families Turdidae and Muscicapidae) which are mostly of a plain color often with spotted underparts and many of which are excellent singers. I want to know how you get one into a vagina. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/26 "2003-08-05T23:07:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bongmaster \* > \*\*Bah…you like hair on the legs, underarms, back and chest then too I take it? 😉 \*\* Actually, I once knew (as in Knew) a young woman for a while in college. She was covered all over her body in soft, downy hair, noticeably thicker on the tops of her feet for some reason, but none on her face. Remarkably nice, it turned out to be. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/27 "2003-08-05T23:07:47Z")
“I want to know how you get one into a vagina.” K-Y Jelly. “It warms” ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/28 "2003-08-05T23:18:53Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by voguevixen \* > \*\* > BTW, WTH is “thrush?”_\* From the “Man From Uncle” FAQ: THRUSH stands for Technical Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesireables and the Subjugation of Humanity ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/29 "2003-08-06T00:28:16Z")
Thrush = _candida albicans_. Just in case you were serious about the question. ---
**Author:** ![sleepytimebaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@sleepytimebaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleepytimebaby)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/30 "2003-08-06T00:59:35Z")
In a word: no! Men sometimes need to keep their fantasies to themselves! ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/31 "2003-08-06T03:02:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by voguevixen \* > \*\*BTW, WTH is “thrush?” \*\* I think they make headers for cars. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/32 "2003-08-06T04:01:36Z")
\>BTW, WTH is “thrush?” \>\>any of numerous small or medium-sized oscine birds (families Turdidae and Muscicapidae) which are mostly of a plain color often with spotted underparts and many of which are excellent singers. I want to know how you get one into a vagina. Ironically, something thrush-like is known as turdiform. ---
**Author:** ![Spit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/33 "2003-08-06T05:30:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Berkut \* > \*\*I think they make headers for cars. \*\* Those, as well as glass-pack mufflers. The mind boggles. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/34 "2003-08-06T06:29:30Z")
Firstly: overwashing contributes to thrush, as the body naturally has defences against it (“good” bacteria). Secondly: natural fibres such as cotton are actually absorbent of moisture, IMO they keep things drier and more comfortable. Thirdly: thrush is also exacerbated by certain modern conditions such as diet (high sugar) and man-made fabrics. Fourthly: women never “did without underwear” because of thrush, gussets hadn’t been invented. But they wore oodles of bloomers and layer of (often tight fitting) petticoats, and would have arguably had less air circulating than a woman today wearing cotton undewear under a skirt or loose-ish pair of trousers. Fifthly: some women no matter what they do are very prone to thrush, others never get it. I imagine this is just as true now as it was in the Middle Ages. ---
**Author:** ![Shrinking\_Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Shrinking\_Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shrinking_Violet)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/35 "2003-08-06T12:28:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndrewT \* > \*\* … often with spotted underparts … \*\* Anyone else read this as spotted **underpants**?? 😃 Julie ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/36 "2003-08-06T12:42:56Z")
Look! There’s one! ---
**Author:** ![Skillet38](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Skillet38](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skillet38)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/37 "2003-08-06T13:33:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sleepytimebaby \* > \*\*Men sometimes need to keep their fantasies to themselves! \*\* You’re no fun anymore ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/38 "2003-08-06T13:41:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dogface \* > \*\*Actually, I once knew (as in Knew) a young woman for a while in college. She was covered all over her body in soft, downy hair, noticeably thicker on the tops of her feet for some reason, but none on her face. Remarkably nice, it turned out to be. \*\* underlining mine Maybe she was of hobbit descent 😃 ---
**Author:** ![patchbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dc4da7/32.png) [@patchbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/patchbunny)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/39 "2003-08-06T14:17:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dogface \* > \*\*Actually, I once knew (as in Knew) a young woman for a while in college. She was covered all over her body in soft, downy hair, noticeably thicker on the tops of her feet for some reason, but none on her face. Remarkably nice, it turned out to be. \*\* Frodo’s sister, perhaps? –Patch ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007/40 "2003-08-06T19:07:45Z")
BTW, candida infection in the mouth is known as thrush. (babies and people who are immune-supressed get it). When horses get it in their hooves you call it thrush as well. I’ve never heard it called thrush when located in the hoo-hah, but it is the same culprit at work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-women-be-gynecologically-healthier-if-they-wore-skirts-and-no-underwear/193007.md?page=3)