60 min, MPAA Rating: PG13, Color, Not yet available on DVD and DVD.

02/18/2011 – The daytime syndicated television show, The Doctors, has covered an eclectic and diverse range of topics related to personal health during its three years on the air, but their show a couple of weeks ago was their first one devoted to the health benefits of nudism and skinny-dipping as well as how to feel comfortable in your own skin. And they were pretty positive.

For those who have never seen it, the series is hosted by emergency room physician and former The Bachelor participant Travis Stork, a Vanderbilt University trained emergency room physician. The panel of four also includes pediatrician Jim Sears, obstetrician/gynecologist Lisa Masterson, and plastic surgeon Andrew Ordon. The four usually have a guest panelist for the day who helps them weigh in on health issues raised by their guests as well as questions from viewers at home. For this show, the guest was – who else? – Dr. Ruth Weistheimer.

Dr Ruth’s feisty little personality kept the energy level high. When someone asked about nudist resorts, her response got a loud laugh and applause from the live audience: “Some people like to go to nudist camps. Let them have a good time." Other callers asked:

(1) Is it healthy to sleep while nude (Answers: “Yes! The vagina needs to breathe…never wear a thong to bed because of possible vaginal and anal infections…be sure to wash your sheets more often…”)

(2) “Is it healthy to go commando and not wear underwear?” (Answer from Lisa, the OB/GYN: “No problem, just be careful of zippers and warm seats.” Dr. Sears added that going without a diaper is good for babies too as it reduces the chances of diaper rash.)

(3) “Are day spas and community hot tubs safe?” (Answer: “Reputable spas clean their tubs regularly so they should not be a problem, nor should backyard hot tubs…Whatever germs are in the water will get to you whether or not you are wearing a bathing suit… Never use fabric softener on swim suits as they promote germ growth.” Also, “In a dry sauna, always sit on a towel and don’t stay in longer than 10-15 minutes as the heat will kill your good bacteria as well as the bad ones, and that could lead to yeast infections.”)

(4) ”How safe is skinny dipping in a pool?” (Answer: same as above: the germs are there regardless of where you are nude or not…all kids talk about skinny dipping so let them do it.”)

(5) ”Is it healthier to groom down there?” (Answer from Dr. Lisa: “Grooming makes it easier for me to see any skin lesions, otherwise there really are no health issues [cutting public hair] or not.” She added that people should not have sex within 24 hours before a pelvic exam, nor should women douche after sex. “A shower is okay if you want to, but there is no health reason to do so, or not.”

In the audience was Tom and Mary Claire Mulhall, owners of Terra Cotta Inn, although they were only referred to on the show as “practicing nudists.” The didn’t get to participate much but did say how much nudity benefited people with low self-esteem and body image issues. The benefits of getting Vitamin D was mentioned along with a warning not to overdo it due to an increased skin cancer risk.

The only point that raised our eyebrows was a comment from Dr Lisa who stated that women need the support of a bra to prevent breast sagging in later years. Nudists know that sagging occurs anyway from the body aging, and the Mulhalls did not dispute this claim on camera (Tom told us about 15 minutes of his segment was edited out of the show). Near the end of the show, the producers showed a nude photo of Dr. Ordan taken by his wife while visiting a Florida nudist resort. Ordan admitted enjoying going to nude beach resorts with his wife. Dr. Stork remarked he would be “incredibly uncomfortable” going to such a place himself, but agreed that “people need to figure out their own comfort level with nudity…don’t feel forced to join in if that is not your comfort level.”

Which is the advice SCNA gives to newcomers all the time.