First congratulations on biking to work, you'll love it.
I do not recommend that seat. Sounds counterintuitive but you actually steer with your hips!! Not so much wrenching, turning the handlebar but moving, leaning the core.
You will have far less control with this seat. My fiancee nearly lost control on a downhill run with one of these seats.
Now as for comfort with a standard seat, that's a function of fit, and equipment. I'm hearing you say "reports of" "I do now want to endure" ... have you gotten on your bike?
Have you done a test ride?
How does it feel? Does it actually hurt? You will .... drum roll .... need to ride your bike to find out. If it does ....
Fit: have your bike fit for you, and if it still is the least uncomfortable try different saddles. Remember the only part of you that touches the saddle are you "sitz bones". These are bones like u-shaped that protrude at the base of the hips.
If you're reading this whether you're a guy or a gal your "man bits" and "girl parts" do ... not .... touch ... the ... saddle. If the saddle fits you it only touches the hip bones. So no worries about impotence etc.
Note to the guys: biking to work or for fun increases your cardiovascular fitness which increases bloodflow which ... well, you get it. Chicks dig cyclists. ;-) Get out there and ride your bike.
So now back to your question.... if this is NOT your experience ie pressure, pain get thee to your LBS (local bike shop) and exchange the seat.
Anyone riding buying a Trek bike? I NOBODY and I mean nobody keeps the Bontrager piece of cr@p that comes with them. My LBS stocks Trek and has a crate of discarded/traded in saddles.
Get another seat!!
Now on to Shorts: 5 mile ride you might not need bike shorts at all.
But if you've fit your bike, found a saddle you like and still not comfy now we're looking at what you wear.
You could chose any pants that do not have seams in the crotch.
Or if you want to ride in street clothes and are uncomfortable there are liners with the chamois built in. You wear what you want and have a light padding.
Or bike shorts. MTB shorts just look like shorts, even have pockets!!! Portand Cyclewear makes great pants that just look like pants, light chamois, tons of handy pockets.