Generally there are two kinds of sleepers: pajama wearers and naked sleepers. Odds are, if you're a pajama wearer, you never sleep without underwear. You might not even think about why. But experts say sleeping without underwear can actually be a good thing for your vagina.
“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, who highlights conditions such as yeast infections, vaginismus, and bacterial vaginosis). Why? Between discharge and sweat, your vagina is prone to product moisture overnight, Dr. Herta explains. Underwear can trap that moisture, creating a breeding ground for the bad bacteria that cause those conditions. “Allowing that area to get some air helps to keep it dry and clean,” Dr. Herta says. Giving your vagina some breathing room lets it take better care of itself. Going underwear-free is an especially good idea if you have a yeast infection right now or are very prone to them and get them often, says board-certified ob-gyn Pari Ghodsi, M.D.
If sleeping without underwear isn't terribly appealing to you, Dr. Herta recommends that you switch to loose-fitting cotton underwear. Cotton can help absorb some of the moisture instead of keeping it right against you, the way silk or lace would. Silk and lace can also irritate the skin around your vagina, Dr. Ghodsi says, so at the very least if you've been wearing silk or lace underwear all day, it's a good idea to switch out of them before you go to sleep. If you can't imagine giving up your PJs, go commando under a pair of loose-fitting cotton pajama pants.
It's worth noting that if you find you can't sleep without wearing underwear but you've never had a problem, Dr. Ghodsi says you’re probably fine to keep doing what you’ve been doing. Sweet dreams.
