I think you both missed the part where I said they're fine once in a while, just not constantly. If you want to wipe up before sex or once a day or so, that's fine, but every time you pee is excessive and can mess up your vulva's delicate pH balance.

My gynecologist was talking about women in general, not just ones with "incessant wetness."

Most women do wear cotton panties, I don't know too many women who wear pantyhose daily (actually, I know of none), and wetness and a musky scent are normal. Besides, what's worse: natural muskiness, or a yeast infection?

It's fine if you prefer your genitals or your partner's genitals a certain way, I was simply countering the idea that things will "grow" in your pubic hair, and I felt the need to point out that MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS have told me it's fine to have a bit of a smell down there, male or female.

Olive oil and crisco can be used as lubricants anally.

Oh, and let me answer your questions, since you asked so nicely:

I do wear cotton underwear, pretty much every day.

I only own...two thongs? NO, wait, 3, but I haven't worn the 1; it came in a set. And I only wear them under certain outfits, so...about once a month, tops.

I do not use scented fabric softener.

I agree with everything you said, but your post that you originally made did not communicate that. Yes, wetness and a scent are normal, but I said incessant wetness and rancid scent, and from the websites that you linked, they seemed to say that wetness was not normal (nothing about scent though). Quite honestly, every person is going to have some sort of scent down there. I was not talking about that though.

On the website, it also said to not use baby wipes, period. That's what I was not agreeing with. And they said to not normally wear pantyhose, which there isn't really anything wrong with (other than the fact that they do sometimes get a bit sweaty in that area). Just because you only own two thongs does not mean that everyone else does and also does not mean that people who do wear thongs are not as clean or healthy. Thongs or g-strings simply need to be well maintained.

As I said, I do agree with what you say in this post, but your other one did not exactly communicate that. I also was not picking out your post specifically, so if you felt offended or anything of the sort, I was not meaning to make you feel that way. I was speaking of the thread in general, and I know that I did come across as a jerk, which I certainly wasn't trying to.

For the record, I did not say that I am every woman. I answered Gunsmoke's questions, one of which was about whether or not I wear thongs, and spoke about women I know personally.

I was never a fan of douching because I've always heard all the fragrances and chemicals are bad for your lady bits. And vagina's in my opinion should smell like vagina's not lavender and melon dew lol.

I like to use Summers Eve Feminine wash. It also comes in a sensitive formula. It's very gentle and get's rid of any oils and bacteria that can cause bad odors. A quick lather in the morning with it always leaves me feeling clean

I totally agree. Everyone has different chemistry. I use soap externally too - every time I shower. I use scented fabric softener sheets in the dryer for all of our laundry. I use scented lotions and what not.

I have not had any issues. But hell, one of my friends could not wear tight jeans without getting a yeast infection. I remember another friend who would change out of her swimsuit as soon as she was done swimming for fear of yeast infections.

Now, smells? Sure. Wearing tight clothes + sweating = stinky. Being damp and stinky for too long is bad news for your body. Smell is an indicator - if it smells bad, then pay attention. Trace your steps - is it your clothes, your habits, your products? Could be.

I tend to get yeast infections and general irritation pretty easily even in my external zone. I can see there are a wide range of experiences here. So I'm going off bravely to find some pH balanced soap and some baby/feminine wipes to see if they'll agree with me. Maybe I'll post again once I try them. Thanks to all for input and suggestions!

If you tend to get a ton of yeast infections change your diet...seriously. I take acidophilus daily and eat yogurt. Because I live in the south and it is SO humid I get infections easily (along with meds I take), so I take precautions.

I wash outside, and the outer labia as well, but not inside the vagina (if that makes sense). Your body does keep itself clean, but if you live in a humid environment sometimes you need to help. I am super anti-douching, like it isn't allowed in my house because I hate it.

When I start to get irritated I switch from thongs (I wear them everyday normally, unless I am on my period) and wear bikini style underwear (I generally only wear cotton unless I have a reason not to). Also, don't go commando in denim.

Actually, all sorts of things will grow in moist, dark, warm pubic hair - and to a lesser extent, in your friend's goatee and your hair. Humans are covered in microorganisms. Having hair on one's labia would definitely add to the flora since hairs will trap heat and moisture (and the nutrients found in excretions).
Sorry, humans are covered in all sorts of icky little things.

Only if you don't wash..... Actually, if you are going for "germ free" shaving increases bacteria in the pubic area, as there is no protection from external bacterial sources AND micro cuts from shaving (and even some from rough waxing) can open the skin and let in MORE bacteria than just leaving it be.

I trim up, but leave some shorter hair on the outer lips. One, because of the truth of the "micro cut" issue, and also the idea of a RAZOR near my clit scares the hell outta me.

What people enjoy, like or what turns them on differs, but pubic hair, if the person bathes regularly is NOT a source of ANY bacterial problem. In fact, we see MORE post partum infections in young women who shave their pubes entirely, than those who don't. It's a problem we stopped seeing about 20 years ago, (the post partum infection in large numbers) and the problem has re-appeared as shaving the pubes have become more popular.

As a nurse, I do have a concern, not only with micro cuts, but with thongs worn regularly, as they can bring anal bacteria forward (the material can act like a wick or anal bacteria moves forward when they shift) toward the vagina and urethra. And, to be honest, if you have NO hair to protect yourself, the thong is going to be more likely to transfer bacteria where you don't want it. Although, I can't honestly imagine wearing a thong without shaving (I stay away from thongs like the Plague, I've had my share of minor vaginal and not so minor urinary tract infections (latter due to a constricted urethra) and the last thing I'm gonna do is INVITE them into my puss. So, nice little cotton bikinis or tanga backs are my style.) I've told my dd's this, yet I still always find little bitty thongs stuck in the rim of the washing machine. *sigh* People will wear what they like. And, everybody's body is slightly different.

Mileage and all that.

My point was that pubic hair is just like any other hair, and nothing "bad" will grow in it if you keep it clean. The world is covered with bacteria and microorganisms; I'd assumed most people knew that.

Actually no matter how clean you keep it you can get public lice and the reason that pubic lice is on its way out as an STI is solely because of the bare genital trend going on for the past 15 years. It is dying out because of this.

This may be true with teens and 20s, but Crabs are still alive and well with older people and in a lot of the "Alternative ("Swapping") Lifestyle" Communities. In fact it is considered one of the top health issues for Swingers in some places....seeing as most who are part of the Lifestyle are older, it may be due to that. That being said (and no, I've never had them) Pubic Lice or Crabs are VERY easily treatable, not nice to have, but not really dangerous, just kind of.....icky.

...or maybe because condoms have become more readily available?

Also, I'll gladly take pubic lice over some of the other STIs that people can get regardless of their pubic hair.

And what does that have to do with DIRTINESS? It's an STI, you get it from an infected person, not from being unhygienic.

It is a general statement and since older people typical have pubic hair more so than younger, you are probably right. But it is because of the younger people following the trend that public lice is expected to disappear completely.

No, it has nothing to do with condoms. Idk about you, but my guy doesn't have hair on his penis and I don't have it inside my vagina. Condoms don't cover public hair and so it doesn't protect you in any way.

I consider having hair being un-hygenic because of this reason and others. That is why.

I have that soap! Haven't tried it down south but I love it! A big bottle lasts a while too. I dilute it and put it in a foam pump for the kids' bathroom. I'll have to try it on my coochie. I'm shaved too, lasered actually and I think lack of hair keeps odors down too.

I do the same as your wife does. I appreciate the same in reversed roles, so I do my best to stay clean shaven down there and I actually prefer to use a baby wipe after urinating anyway, because I just feel more clean.