But on Behalf of a Grateful Nation, Thank You for Doing the Genital Heavy Lifting

Hollywood has its share of dubious fashion trends: the purse-sized chihuahua, the oversized sunglasses, the return of leg-warmers.

But the apparent desire by some of Hollywood's hottest young female stars to be photographed getting in and out of limousines in short skirts while wearing absolutely no undergarments is arguably one of Tinseltown's most disturbing new crazes. . . .

Gynecologist Jackie Thomas cautions against fans following in the footsteps of their Hollywood idols. In terms of vaginal infections, no underwear at all can often be better than constricting synthetic panties, she says, but there are other considerations to take into account.

"It's unhygienic not so much for the woman who's not wearing underwear, but to the people around her," says Thomas, who practises in Toronto. "Let's face it - like every other woman, they've got a certain amount of discharge and they are hanging around with other people."

Thomas points out that doctors often advise women who have just given birth to forgo underwear for a few weeks to let "their vaginas air out."

Sometimes, I don't know how you people walk around with those things.*