It is important to understand how to take care of our body, which includes our feminine hygiene.
Most of us grow up thinking that wearing an undergarment is absolutely necessary, but there are surprisingly many who eschew the practice, especially during the night. Not only does it feel comfortable to not have a piece of cloth pressing against our private parts, but there are some health benefits to it, too. If you're having issues below the belt, your undergarment could be contributing to the problem.
"You really should sleep without underwear if you're prone to vaginal issues," says Nancy Herta, M.D., an ob-gyn at Michigan State University, to Glamour. Our undergarments, even the comfortable cotton tighty whities, can trap moisture overnight causing infections. One of the best ways to avoid any infections in the nether region is by keeping it dry and clean, for which warm water is enough.
If you want to know more about other benefits of ditching your panties, at least during the time you are home, here are five solid reasons backed by experts:
If you don't want to stop wearing underwear during the day, it's understandable. But, at least at night, try to sleep without them. Your skin needs to breathe to avoid moisture getting trapped inside. The trapped moisture can cause infections down there, which leads to discomfort and irritation. When we give our private parts time to breathe, it can take care of itself, board-certified ob-gyn Dr. Pari Ghodsi told Glamour. If sleeping without underwear isn't appealing to you, try switching to loose-fitted cotton underwear. Silk and lace can irritate the skin.
There aren't enough words to emphasize how important sleep is to our health. It literally keeps us functioning at our optimal and keeping our vitals healthy. Lack of sleep can cause multiple problems, like stress and anxiety as well as lower our immunity. To sleep better, it is recommended that we have the ideal temperature, which is about 65-degrees, but that's not always possible. In the summer months, for instance, it's harder to maintain cool body temperature, but taking off our clothing, including our underwear can help. You will feel cooler and sleep better, suggests Elite Daily.
The bacteria, Candida, which is responsible for yeast infections, grows in warm and moist environments, reports Healthline. When we wear tight undergarments that are made out of material that's not breathable, it can be a conducive environment for yeast infections. Most women love silky and lacy undergarments, but limiting them to rare occasions is a good lifestyle change for better hygiene. Also, if you're prone to yeast infections, allow your genital area to breathe, recommends Bustle. If you don't want to go commando, then you can opt for loose pajama with no underwear. However, if you have never had problems with wearing underwear to sleep, you can probably continue doing so, says Dr. Ghodsi.
When we avoid wearing undergarments, it can prevent dampness, which leads to odor and discomfort. With moisture and heat trapped in your genital area due to tight underwear, your private parts can develop a strong odor. When you ditch the underwear, you are letting the sweat evaporate while keeping the odor to a minimum. It can also reduce chafing since moisture can worsen it, says Healthline. There are many scented products sold as douche for the genital area, but introducing harsh chemicals to your sensitive parts is a bad idea. It can cause multiple skin issues. Using sprays, gels, and sometimes even water can disrupt the bacterial balance, which can lead to bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, and other irritation, according to Healthline. A bit of natural odor is a sign of normal health, and you don't need to cover it up with artificial scents.
When you skip the undergarment, you're giving your genital region a break from harsh chemicals that can settle into the fabric after washing, Dr. Kameelah Phillips, an OB/GYN based in New York City, tells Bustle. It could be your detergent or fabric softener, which gets settled into the pores of the fabric causing irritation, which is why taking a break from it is a good thing.
However, your undergarment could also be protecting your genital skin from those chemicals in other clothes. "Wearing underwear protects your labia from direct contact with clothes that can be abrasive, have dyes, or chemicals that can irritate you," she says. It's ideal to try out different things to figure out what's best for you.
References:
https://www.glamour.com/story/why-you-shouldnt-wear-underwear-to-bed
https://www.elitedaily.com/wellness/commando-sleep-good-for-you/1489495
https://www.healthline.com/health/going-commando-men#benefits
https://www.bustle.com/p/11-health-benefits-of-not-wearing-underwear-according-to-experts-3567510
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-your-vagina#feminine-wash
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
