Should Women Wear Underwear to Sleep? (2024)

Should you sleep naked or wear pajamas to bed? Everyone has their personal preference. However, even if you are a pajama wearer, you should consider going to bed “commando” (without underwear).

Health Benefits of Sleeping Without Underwear

Excess moisture around the genitals may lead to increased yeast infections, irritation and pH changes due to bacterial overgrowth. The best way to prevent this is to allow some time for everything to air out and stay dry.

Sleeping with covers, tight-fitting pajamas or clothes, and underwear can lead to even more moisture buildup. Wearing underwear keeps that moisture close to your genitals. This allows bacteria and yeast to grow, which can cause infection and other problems.

If you are prone to yeast infections, vagin*l infections or vagin*l irritation, going commando at bedtime could be a great—and healthy—choice. Allowing moisture to build up can make these conditions worse, so giving your intimate area some panty-free time can help. Most women prefer to wear underwear during the day, so nighttime is a good time to let it all air out.

Other Reasons to Ditch Underwear at Night

If you are very active or sweaty during the day, consider skipping the underwear at night for the same reasons as above. Also, wearing lace or non-cotton underwear or using underwear liners during the day, does not allow much airflow. This can cause moisture buildup during the day. Switching to cotton underwear at night can help, but the better choice is to sleep without underwear and wear loose-fitting or no pajamas.

Feeling Comfortable Sleeping Without Underwear

For some women, going commando at bedtime can feel like we are exposed and unprotected. After a few nights, however, you will adjust to this new freedom and will likely feel more comfortable. If you feel like sleeping without underwear isn’t clean, try showering before you go to bed and use an external intimate area shower wash that is pH balanced, like our Summer’s Eve® Daily Cleansing Washes .

If you don’t shower at night, that’s okay. You can use our Summer’s Eve® Daily Cleansing Cloths to quickly clean your intimate area before bed. These pH balanced wipes help remove odor causing bacteria. They are also easy to add to your nighttime routine for a quick refresh with a safe scent.

One caution: try to avoid using soaps and wipes that are not pH balanced to your natural intimate area pH range, as this can lead to bacterial growth, odor and other conditions.

Should Women Wear Underwear to Sleep? (2024)

FAQs

Should females sleep with underwear on? ›

Sleeping without underwear can help keep your vagin* dry and free from an environment that encourages bacterial or yeast overgrowth. Moreover, some studies link going commando at bedtime with a lower risk of developing vagin*l infections such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.

Should I sleep in just my underwear? ›

It turns out that sleeping in panties is more than OK! According to OB/GYN and clinical assistant professor Dr. Alyssa Dweck, it's not medically necessary for most women to go commando at night.

What happens if you don't wear underwear as a female? ›

You can expect a range of skin irritations and even some skin damage when opting to go commando. Without that protective layer between you and your pants, there are some things you'd be putting at risk that you might want to think wisely about before opting for no panties. Skin chafing is one of them.

What do most women wear to bed? ›

What you wear to bed can also depend on your gender or generation. Women most often wear a T-shirt or tank plus underwear to bed, and men most often wear underwear bottoms only. While all other generations typically wear a T-shirt or tank plus underwear to bed, millennials sleep in a different outfit.

Is sleeping naked healthy? ›

Sleeping nude can help your core temperature cool faster and lead to better sleep. Sleeping naked may improve health, partner intimacy, anxiety, and self-esteem. When sleeping naked, make sure your bedding is comfortable, the room temperature is optimal, and you prioritize personal hygiene before bed.

Why do people sleep in their underwear? ›

Wearing underwear to sleep can help by assisting you in controlling your body temperature. Cool, breathable fabrics can keep your skin from touching other areas of skin and can also help your body feel like it's all one temperature.

Is it good to sleep without a bra on? ›

There is no evidence that sleeping in a bra is an effective way to maintain breast shape, size, fullness, or position on the chest. There are several factors that are known to contribute to breasts sitting lower on the chest, including: Pregnancy.

Is it better to sleep with underwear or without male? ›

It's recommended to avoid wearing tight underwear at night, and going to bed naked is the best approach to assure restful sleep. If you are still concerned about your privacy and can't go naked, consider wearing lightweight cotton breathable boxers to bed rather than tight underwear.

Should you sleep with socks on? ›

Research suggests that wearing socks to bed can help people not only fall asleep faster, but sleep longer and wake up fewer times throughout the night. One study found that young men wearing socks fell asleep 7.5 minutes faster, slept 32 minutes longer, and woke up 7.5 times less often than those not wearing socks.

How often should you replace your underwear as a female? ›

However, as a general rule of thumb, we'd recommend replacing your underwear every six months to a year. How often you should replace your underwear comes down to various factors, one being how many pairs of knickers you have. The fewer knickers you have, the more each pair will go through daily wear and wash cycles.

How to wear underwear for females? ›

Underwear Rules Every Woman Should Live By
  1. No white on white. Matchy-matchy, but white underwear under white clothing is a nightmare. ...
  2. Change them. Duh, we know, but let's admit we can be pretty lazy sometimes. ...
  3. Do not wear thongs to bed. ...
  4. Use laundry detergent.
May 21, 2024

What is the purpose of underwear? ›

Underwear protects the body from the environment and abrasion from outer clothes, as well as those garments from the body. It preserves modesty, by keeping the body covered in socially and morally acceptable forms. The visible parts of undergarments offer opportunities for decoration and adornment.

What is the healthiest thing to wear to bed? ›

Natural materials such as cotton, silk, bamboo, and wool are optimal for sleep, as they provide breathability, moisture-wicking, and temperature regulation, making them the best breathable fabric choices. Cotton, bamboo, and linen are optimal choices for sleepwear in warm weather, especially for those who sleep hot.

What does it mean to go commando while sleeping? ›

“Going commando” is a way of saying that you're not wearing any underwear. The term refers to elite soldiers trained to be ready to fight at a moment's notice. So when you're not wearing any underwear, you're, well, ready to go at any moment — without pesky undies in the way.

What side of the bed do most females sleep on? ›

Almost everybody has a side of the bed they sleep on, and most couples need to establish this as soon as they decide to start sleeping together. Research shows that men often tend to sleep on the right as it makes them feel dominant while women prefer the left as it makes them feel safe.

Is it good to sleep with bra and underwear? ›

Just like there are no major benefits of sleeping in a bra, there are also no major negative side effects. “Contrary to the common rumors, sleeping in a bra does not impair blood circulation, cause breast cancer, stunt breast growth, etc.” Sekhon says.

Do girls wear underwear with pajamas? ›

Whether you choose to wear underwear under your pajamas or not is entirely a personal choice. However, if you decide to wear underwear to bed, it's best to opt for loose-fitting underwear made with breathable cotton fabrics that don't constrict or irritate your skin.

What to wear at night while sleeping? ›

Natural materials such as cotton, silk, bamboo, and wool are optimal for sleep, as they provide breathability, moisture-wicking, and temperature regulation, making them the best breathable fabric choices. Cotton, bamboo, and linen are optimal choices for sleepwear in warm weather, especially for those who sleep hot.

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