You may not have noticed, but there’s often a small pocket-like feature in the underwear you wear regularly. It blends in with the rest of the fabric because it’s usually the same color, yet it serves an important purpose. This feature, known as a gusset, is a flap in the crotch area of women’s underwear that helps protect the vagina.
The gusset is typically made from breathable, moisture-absorbing material, and its design—stitched on one end and the sides—leaves it looking like a small pocket. Its main role is to reduce the risk of vaginal yeast infections by keeping the area dry and protected from irritation.
