People are left shocked as small ‘pocket’ in women’s underwear is finally explained

Women’s underwear has contained a mystery since the dawn of time, and people are now just learning about the purpose of the extra layer of fabric in their drawers.

Finally, we have answers. Having worn knickers since I was a baby, I feel like I’m not the only one who never realized just exactly why underwear contains the additional pouch that is always sewn into the crotch area.

Is it to be popped open so we can store tampons and lipstick? Or is it a little extra cushioning so we’re not uncomfortable when we sit down?

Until now, it was a mystery that only the underwear gods could answer – and many took to social media to have their questions answered.

Someone on X asked: “I’ve always wondered why underwear has these holes???”

Meanwhile, another said: “Don’t listen to the people saying it’s for ‘reinforcement’ or some rubbish.

However, nobody could have expected the true reason.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a thong, G-string, Brazilian, panties or briefs- they’ve all for that little pocket sewn in. And apparently, it’s called a gusset (ew).

Sweeping aside the name of it, which sounds like a drainpipe, its gusset is usually made of cotton and is supposed to support hygiene.

This online user was spot on with their explanation, saying: “The extra piece of fabric is called a gusset, and it’s there to reinforce the crotch area.

“It makes the piece more durable and stops moisture from seeping through. You could topstitch so there’s no hole, but it’s not really necessary and can cause irritation.”

According to Cheeky Wipes, it also serves a few purposes.

They state that a gusset is used to keep the person cool, prevent sweating, and stop discharge from the vagina from damaging your trousers.

It also allows your vulva to breathe, too.

Underwear company Leonisa also pointed out that while men’s underwear may also have this feature, it’s ‘far more common’ in women’s pants.

“Gussets can be found in just about every type of underwear for women, from boy-shorts, to bikini panties, to thongs.”

“The panty gusset serves several purposes. For one, the extra layer of fabric reinforces the underwear in the crotch area, which is often the narrowest part of the underwear,” their website states.

“This prolongs the life of the underwear and helps it to last longer. The extra layer of fabric also helps catch discharge, sweat and other things, keeping you cool and dry as you go about your day.”

The more you know, eh?

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A doctor has revealed which symptoms of colorectal cancer are often dismissed as something else and why people dismiss them.  Colorectal cancer and the symptoms of the illness has been a topic that’s been widely discussed in recent days following the death of James Van Der Beek.  Van Der Beek, best known for starring in films and TV shows like Dawson’s Creek, Varsity Blues, and The Rules of Attraction, as well as being a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, died on Tuesday (February 11) aged 48.  His family, who have had a GoFundMe page set up for them following his death, announced the news of his passing on Instagram in a tear-jerking tribute to man they described as ‘a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend’.  Van Der Beek went public with his cancer diagnosis in 2024 after privately battling the crippling illness for over a year.  He went on to make it his mission to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, which is said to claim the lives of more than 900,000 each year across the globe.  One thing Van Der Beek was open about what the symptoms he experienced and admitted that he initially thought he was drinking too much coffee and that’s why his bowel movements had changed.  According to Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, it’s not unusual for people to dismiss colorectal cancer symptoms as something else.  Speaking to UNILAD, Dr Grant said: “With so many overlapping symptoms, it can be easy to mistake colorectal cancer for a different condition, which can often delay diagnosis and reduce prompt treatment.  “The death of the actor James Van Der Beek this week highlights the importance of understanding the telltale signs of the condition, especially the symptoms that can often be mistaken for something else.”  He proceeded to share which symptoms people might think are something less serious, and when it’s time to go see a doctor.  Changes in bowel habits  “Firstly, changes in bowel habits are a significant sign of colorectal cancer, but with so many other potential causes, such as stress, dietary changes, IBS or minor infections, they can be quickly dismissed as harmless or temporary,” explained Dr Grant.  “Persistent diarrhoea, constipation and blood in the stool can be warning signs of this cancer, so continuous bowel issues should always be addressed to ensure it’s not a sign of a potentially fatal condition.”  Stomach pain  The healthcare professional shared: “Abdominal discomfort such as bloating and cramps can also be a sign of colorectal cancer. Again, with so many potential causes, these symptoms may be attributed to indigestion, trapped wind, food intolerance or hormonal changes, and therefore overlooked.  “Occasional cramping or bloating is common, but anyone experiencing symptoms that last for weeks should seek medical advice from their GP.”  Fatigue and weakness  “Finally, colorectal cancer can cause slow internal bleeding, which can quickly lead to iron-deficiency anaemia,” noted Dr Grant, who added: “As a result, people may experience unexplained fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath or dizziness.”  He continued: “However, as tiredness is so common, it’s no surprise that it’s often mistaken for stress or poor sleep. Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest should always be investigated to rule out serious conditions such as colorectal cancer.”

A doctor has revealed which symptoms of colorectal cancer are often dismissed as something else and why people dismiss them. Colorectal cancer and the symptoms of the illness has been a topic that’s been widely discussed in recent days following the death of James Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek, best known for starring in films and TV shows like Dawson’s Creek, Varsity Blues, and The Rules of Attraction, as well as being a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, died on Tuesday (February 11) aged 48. His family, who have had a GoFundMe page set up for them following his death, announced the news of his passing on Instagram in a tear-jerking tribute to man they described as ‘a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend’. Van Der Beek went public with his cancer diagnosis in 2024 after privately battling the crippling illness for over a year. He went on to make it his mission to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, which is said to claim the lives of more than 900,000 each year across the globe. One thing Van Der Beek was open about what the symptoms he experienced and admitted that he initially thought he was drinking too much coffee and that’s why his bowel movements had changed. According to Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, it’s not unusual for people to dismiss colorectal cancer symptoms as something else. Speaking to UNILAD, Dr Grant said: “With so many overlapping symptoms, it can be easy to mistake colorectal cancer for a different condition, which can often delay diagnosis and reduce prompt treatment. “The death of the actor James Van Der Beek this week highlights the importance of understanding the telltale signs of the condition, especially the symptoms that can often be mistaken for something else.” He proceeded to share which symptoms people might think are something less serious, and when it’s time to go see a doctor. Changes in bowel habits “Firstly, changes in bowel habits are a significant sign of colorectal cancer, but with so many other potential causes, such as stress, dietary changes, IBS or minor infections, they can be quickly dismissed as harmless or temporary,” explained Dr Grant. “Persistent diarrhoea, constipation and blood in the stool can be warning signs of this cancer, so continuous bowel issues should always be addressed to ensure it’s not a sign of a potentially fatal condition.” Stomach pain The healthcare professional shared: “Abdominal discomfort such as bloating and cramps can also be a sign of colorectal cancer. Again, with so many potential causes, these symptoms may be attributed to indigestion, trapped wind, food intolerance or hormonal changes, and therefore overlooked. “Occasional cramping or bloating is common, but anyone experiencing symptoms that last for weeks should seek medical advice from their GP.” Fatigue and weakness “Finally, colorectal cancer can cause slow internal bleeding, which can quickly lead to iron-deficiency anaemia,” noted Dr Grant, who added: “As a result, people may experience unexplained fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath or dizziness.” He continued: “However, as tiredness is so common, it’s no surprise that it’s often mistaken for stress or poor sleep. Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest should always be investigated to rule out serious conditions such as colorectal cancer.”

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A doctor has revealed which symptoms of colorectal cancer are often dismissed as something else and why people dismiss them.  Colorectal cancer and the symptoms of the illness has been a topic that’s been widely discussed in recent days following the death of James Van Der Beek.  Van Der Beek, best known for starring in films and TV shows like Dawson’s Creek, Varsity Blues, and The Rules of Attraction, as well as being a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, died on Tuesday (February 11) aged 48.  His family, who have had a GoFundMe page set up for them following his death, announced the news of his passing on Instagram in a tear-jerking tribute to man they described as ‘a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend’.  Van Der Beek went public with his cancer diagnosis in 2024 after privately battling the crippling illness for over a year.  He went on to make it his mission to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, which is said to claim the lives of more than 900,000 each year across the globe.  One thing Van Der Beek was open about what the symptoms he experienced and admitted that he initially thought he was drinking too much coffee and that’s why his bowel movements had changed.  According to Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, it’s not unusual for people to dismiss colorectal cancer symptoms as something else.  Speaking to UNILAD, Dr Grant said: “With so many overlapping symptoms, it can be easy to mistake colorectal cancer for a different condition, which can often delay diagnosis and reduce prompt treatment.  “The death of the actor James Van Der Beek this week highlights the importance of understanding the telltale signs of the condition, especially the symptoms that can often be mistaken for something else.”  He proceeded to share which symptoms people might think are something less serious, and when it’s time to go see a doctor.  Changes in bowel habits  “Firstly, changes in bowel habits are a significant sign of colorectal cancer, but with so many other potential causes, such as stress, dietary changes, IBS or minor infections, they can be quickly dismissed as harmless or temporary,” explained Dr Grant.  “Persistent diarrhoea, constipation and blood in the stool can be warning signs of this cancer, so continuous bowel issues should always be addressed to ensure it’s not a sign of a potentially fatal condition.”  Stomach pain  The healthcare professional shared: “Abdominal discomfort such as bloating and cramps can also be a sign of colorectal cancer. Again, with so many potential causes, these symptoms may be attributed to indigestion, trapped wind, food intolerance or hormonal changes, and therefore overlooked.  “Occasional cramping or bloating is common, but anyone experiencing symptoms that last for weeks should seek medical advice from their GP.”  Fatigue and weakness  “Finally, colorectal cancer can cause slow internal bleeding, which can quickly lead to iron-deficiency anaemia,” noted Dr Grant, who added: “As a result, people may experience unexplained fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath or dizziness.”  He continued: “However, as tiredness is so common, it’s no surprise that it’s often mistaken for stress or poor sleep. Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest should always be investigated to rule out serious conditions such as colorectal cancer.”

A doctor has revealed which symptoms of colorectal cancer are often dismissed as something else and why people dismiss them. Colorectal cancer and the symptoms of the illness has been a topic that’s been widely discussed in recent days following the death of James Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek, best known for starring in films and TV shows like Dawson’s Creek, Varsity Blues, and The Rules of Attraction, as well as being a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, died on Tuesday (February 11) aged 48. His family, who have had a GoFundMe page set up for them following his death, announced the news of his passing on Instagram in a tear-jerking tribute to man they described as ‘a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend’. Van Der Beek went public with his cancer diagnosis in 2024 after privately battling the crippling illness for over a year. He went on to make it his mission to raise awareness about colorectal cancer, which is said to claim the lives of more than 900,000 each year across the globe. One thing Van Der Beek was open about what the symptoms he experienced and admitted that he initially thought he was drinking too much coffee and that’s why his bowel movements had changed. According to Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, it’s not unusual for people to dismiss colorectal cancer symptoms as something else. Speaking to UNILAD, Dr Grant said: “With so many overlapping symptoms, it can be easy to mistake colorectal cancer for a different condition, which can often delay diagnosis and reduce prompt treatment. “The death of the actor James Van Der Beek this week highlights the importance of understanding the telltale signs of the condition, especially the symptoms that can often be mistaken for something else.” He proceeded to share which symptoms people might think are something less serious, and when it’s time to go see a doctor. Changes in bowel habits “Firstly, changes in bowel habits are a significant sign of colorectal cancer, but with so many other potential causes, such as stress, dietary changes, IBS or minor infections, they can be quickly dismissed as harmless or temporary,” explained Dr Grant. “Persistent diarrhoea, constipation and blood in the stool can be warning signs of this cancer, so continuous bowel issues should always be addressed to ensure it’s not a sign of a potentially fatal condition.” Stomach pain The healthcare professional shared: “Abdominal discomfort such as bloating and cramps can also be a sign of colorectal cancer. Again, with so many potential causes, these symptoms may be attributed to indigestion, trapped wind, food intolerance or hormonal changes, and therefore overlooked. “Occasional cramping or bloating is common, but anyone experiencing symptoms that last for weeks should seek medical advice from their GP.” Fatigue and weakness “Finally, colorectal cancer can cause slow internal bleeding, which can quickly lead to iron-deficiency anaemia,” noted Dr Grant, who added: “As a result, people may experience unexplained fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath or dizziness.” He continued: “However, as tiredness is so common, it’s no surprise that it’s often mistaken for stress or poor sleep. Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest should always be investigated to rule out serious conditions such as colorectal cancer.”