Topics: Explained, Fashion, Health, Life, Reddit, Social Media, Women's Health, Periods
There's simply not much better than a really comfy pair of knickers, but one interesting feature that they all have in common is a secret 'compartment'.
Now, whether you're a thong, brief, boxer or Brazilian knickers girlie, it's clear we're all familiar with that little bit of cotton sewn into the bottom of our pants.
But the actual purpose of the 'little pocket' in women’s underwear has left people seriously stumped after they thought it was for periods - a theory which couldn't be further from the truth.
"What’s the pocket thing in our underwear for?" penned one very confused Reddit user, adding: "I've never understood its purpose, like when I was younger, I thought it was for our periods."
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Despite posting the query to the 'AskWomenNoCensor' thread on the social media platform, it didn't stop people from sharing joke answers to the question.
"To store trinkets," quipped one Reddit user, while a second penned: "Bonus pocket cause our pants don’t have them."
A third piped up: "I keep my witchcraft supplies in there."
"Movie theatre snack storage," suggested a fourth, while another agreed: "My personal snack stash."
And a final jokester commented: "To put lipstick!"
Well, we can confirm that the pocket is actually none of those things. Instead, the small square of cotton is known as the gusset, and it’s super important when it comes to protecting your intimate areas.
More often than not, women’s underwear tends to be made from synthetic materials such as lace, and while that can certainly look pretty, it’s not the most breathable fabric for your bits.
Wearing them over extended periods can also cause a buildup of bacteria and sweat, which can get trapped in your underwear.
However, gussets tend to be made out of cotton or another non-synthetic material, which helps keep your intimate area dry and more ventilated (via Cheeky Wipes).
By including this small piece of fabric, your gusset helps reduce the risk of contracting uncomfortable conditions, such as urinary tract infections and yeast infections, as it allows your genitals to breathe.
The softer material of a gusset also provides a more comfortable place for your intimate areas to rest and helps prevent friction.
Thankfully, a couple of Redditers decided to share their knowledge on the subject, as one wrote: "That's the gusset. It's meant to make that area more breathable. It's open on one side because a stitched seam there could irritate your skin."
And another reiterated: "It’s called a gusset, and it’s to reinforce the area for comfort, give more breathability, and more moisture control.
"A lot of gussets are made from cotton, which is more breathable against your skin. Whereas the rest of the panty a lot of times are made from synthetic materials."
So, they’re actually of vital importance! Who knew?
