Granny Panties Are Back. Are They Better for Your Health?

Have you given up your thongs for granny panties? Or have you always been a fan? (Photo: Getty Images)

The 2000s will undoubtedly go down in infamy as the era of the uber-uncomfortable G-string, often sported visibly by the Juicy Couture-clad celebutantes of the moment. These days, however, there’s a new trend (back) in town: granny panties. Young women are seemingly ditching uncomfortable thong underwear in favor of full-coverage styles.

According to a recent column in the New York Times’ Style section, data from the NYD Group shows thong sales have dipped seven percent in the past year, while sales of modest cuts like briefs and boy shorts have grown by 17 percent. Granny panties are even gaining a cool factor as a feminist decision; women are dressing for themselves over men, choosing underwear that scream comfort over sex.

After The Times’ story, granny panty hysteria ensued on Twitter, with some coming out as for them, and others, staunchly against them.

Granny Panties Are Back. Are They Better for Your Health?
Yahoo Health•May 30, 2015

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Have you given up your thongs for granny panties? Or have you always been a fan? (Photo: Getty Images)

The 2000s will undoubtedly go down in infamy as the era of the uber-uncomfortable G-string, often sported visibly by the Juicy Couture-clad celebutantes of the moment. These days, however, there’s a new trend (back) in town: granny panties. Young women are seemingly ditching uncomfortable thong underwear in favor of full-coverage styles.

According to a recent column in the New York Times’ Style section, data from the NYD Group shows thong sales have dipped seven percent in the past year, while sales of modest cuts like briefs and boy shorts have grown by 17 percent. Granny panties are even gaining a cool factor as a feminist decision; women are dressing for themselves over men, choosing underwear that scream comfort over sex.

After The Times’ story, granny panty hysteria ensued on Twitter, with some coming out as for them, and others, staunchly against them.

View photos
View photos
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But here at Yahoo Health, we wondered: Are those briefs actually better than an itty-bitty G-string from a health perspective? Well, not really. Your thongs-of-old are still fine to wear if that’s your thing, says gynecologist Fahimeh Sasan, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

What is the healthiest type of panties from a health perspective? (Yes, it does exist.) “The only underwear recommendation that is medically-substantiated is that cotton underwear is more breathable, and therefore has less risk of yeast infection and irritation compared to synthetic fabrics,” Sasan tells Yahoo Health.

Related: 5 Underwear Questions You’re Too Embarrassed to Ask

Since synthetic fabrics can cause more sweating “down there,” and can subsequently cause irritation and odor, you should probably keep at least a few pairs of cotton briefs in your undie arsenal. “With that said, occasionally wearing underwear made of synthetic fabric is totally okay,” says Sasan.

As long as you let things breathe from time to time, your lady parts should be plenty healthy. According to Consumer Reports, women own around 21 pairs of underwear on average — so you probably have plenty of options based on your needs of the day, and enough to fabrics and styles to rotate between cotton and synthetic.

“The bottom line is the most ideal type and style of underwear, if you choose to wear it, is completely a personal choice,”says Sasan. But since 30 percent of women complain about poor fit and 27 percent of women say ugly underwear impacts their mood, do choose wisely.

And just remember: These days, “ugly”is a relative term. Long live the granny panty.