Why do girls and women wear panties?

Answer 1

Just like for males wearing shorts or boxers, females wearing panties is for:

• modesty
• personal comfort
• the fabric absorbs droplets of urine -- for both males and females
• the fabric absorbs sweat -- Because the genitals create a warm, moist, and dark place on ALL humans, yeast and bacteria love to grow in warm, moist, and dark areas on the body. Since we cannot increase light or stop body warmth, we can control moisture which reduces chances of skin yeast infections.
• helping absorb and contain vaginal discharges -- the vagina produces fluids all day, every day. Without panties, females would leave moisture marks anywhere they sit. It would seep through outer clothing.
• periods! - Since women do not know exactly when a period might start, underwear gives a small amount of protection and avoids embarrassment. A beginning period can "flood", quickly soaking through outer clothing---quite embarrassing!
• to prevent any sudden fluids from running down the inside of the thighs, including menstrual blood or "broken water" when the amniotic sac ruptures at the end of a pregnancy before full labor begins, or the sudden loss of urine such as during a urinary infection or in certain conditions. Sudden fluid would spread upward through the fabric, especially with cotton panties. Silk panties or thongs provide no protection.
• to protect the urethra and vagina from external germs
• to protect sensitive skin
• to protect irritated skin
• to prevent vaginal medications from running everywhere

Size of the vulva or labia has nothing to do with wearing underwear!

Since the 1970s-1980s, a trend has been to go without underwear. But many females find undies are beneficial and comfortable. Cotton panties are best to allow air flow and keep the area drier--both prevent infections. Silken undies do not allow air flow and do not absorb moisture.