G-Strings The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
January 17, 2013 Beauty, Fashion, Featured Stories
By Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Founder, Prima Nora Medical Centre

G-strings, the tiny piece of underwear mostly worn by women, have been all the rage since Hollywood celebrities such as Britney Spears was seen sporting them. Since then, a wide range of g-strings have appeared in the market, attracting young women who want to sport a trendy, sexy look.

These skimpy wear are not without hazards, however. Gynaecologists are now warning against wearing g-strings for long periods of time, particularly when worn with tight jeans or pants. Let’s take a closer look at this fashionable apparel that has captured the imagination of people around the world:

WHAT’S GOOD

The reason behind the g-string craze lies mainly in its shape: a small piece of material covers the genital part, while a string passes through the buttocks and is attached to a band around the hips. As such, the buttocks are left uncovered, which effectively removes the problem with panty lines.

This makes g-strings a perfect match for tight-fitting pants, body-hugging dresses, even gym tights and swimwear. No panty lines to spoil an otherwise perfect silhouette, more so when you are wearing light-coloured clothing.

What’s more, they give you an even suntan especially at the exposed buttocks area, making them popular as swimwear.

WHAT’S BAD

The truth is that g-strings are not exactly the most comfortable underwear.

Underwear were created for a reason, which is to protect our outer clothing from being soiled by body secretions. Having a string passing through your buttocks may make you feel sensual, but it may also injure the skin around the genital area if it is made of course material.

Like most underwear, you cannot try a g-string before buying, hence many women end up buying unsuitable sizes and shapes.

G-strings that are too tight cause friction and irritation at the string part that is in constant contact with your skin. Others sometimes cause chafing by our outer clothing due to the lack of protection at our private parts.

WHAT’S UGLY

The biggest irony is when this piece of lingerie that is supposed to make you look and feel good ends up making you ill instead. G-strings are believed to contribute to the development of vaginal yeast infections, as well as infections of the urinary tract.

This is because G-strings are commonly made from synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, which easily retain moisture within the genital area and encourage the rapid growth of pathogenic bacteria. This constant friction can damage the skin and increase the risk of anal fissures or haemorrhoids.

Think twice before you splurge on this hazardous apparel for the upcoming Valentine’s Day celebrations. Consider switching to hot pants or tight slips instead.

GOOD G-STRING PRACTICES

Do not wear G-strings when the weather is hot and wet.
Wear G-strings made from natural fabric, such as cotton or silk.
Choose the right size at all times. Do not wear tight-fitting G-strings, choose those that are somewhat loose, as these may be less likely to spread bacterial infection.
Do not wear G-strings around the clock. Change into more closed underwear at the earliest opportunity.
Try to avoid wearing G-string swimwear.
Finally, why not try wearing different types of clothing that do not require you to wear G-string underwear? Do not let fashion trends dictate your health!