7 Health Benefits of Sleeping Naked: Why you shouldn’t wear underwear to sleep

Many people are used to always wearing their underwear, even while sleeping. This may be because while growing up, parents are used to telling kids to always wear their ‘panties’ and never allow anyone to see “down there”.

Key Points

• Underwear is an item of clothing worn underneath/inside the outer clothing.
• Underwear functions to protect the outer garment from being stained by sweat, vaginal discharge, semen, pre- seminal fluid, menstrual blood, drops of urine, and faeces.
• The health benefits of sleeping naked are to enjoy a comfortable sleep and to promote intimacy among couples.
• The health benefits of sleeping naked for women are to allow the vagina to breathe, reduce the risk of bacterial and yeast infections, help prevent vaginal odour and discomfort, and reduce the risk of damaging the skin around the vulva.
• The health benefits of sleeping naked for men are that it reduces the risk of jock itch and other fungal infections, reduces the chances of injury, and allows the testicles to stay cool.

Many years later, there is now a controversy over the issue of sleeping naked and whether it is right or wrong to wear underwear to sleep.

Are you wondering if it is a good (or bad) idea to sleep in your underwear? Well, there is no clear answer to this. Most people are more comfortable sleeping in their underwear and do not see anything wrong with doing so, while others find it outright uncomfortable, hence, they prefer to sleep naked. 

However, come to think of it, after a long day in lacy satin panties, thongs, or briefs and trunks for men, why shouldn’t you opt for sleeping naked?

Why do you still want to cover your genital area tightly even while sleeping? When are your genitals going to take a break from underwear and breathe some fresh air? 

No doubt, Underwear has their Benefits

Underwear is an item of clothing worn underneath/inside the outer clothing. There are different types of underwear, and they serve different functions. One of such functions is to protect the outer garment from being stained by sweat, vaginal discharge, semen, pre- seminal fluid, menstrual blood, drops of urine, and faeces. They also protect the genitals from irritation caused by the friction between the outer clothing and the genitals. 

Surprisng health benefits of sleeping naked

At first, you may not be very comfortable with the thought of ditching your underwear when going to bed, but you can give it a try. If you are not comfortable sleeping naked, you can go for loose and comfortable pyjamas, nightwear, shorts, tees, and boxers instead. 

Sleeping naked has a lot of health benefits for both men and women, and here are some good reasons you should sleep without underwear:

●     Enjoy a comfortable sleep. When you sleep without underwear, you may discover that you sleep more comfortably than when you sleep in your tight and uncomfortable panties that bunch up, twist, and itch along the seams.

●    An added benefit of keeping undies off while in bed is that it may promote intimacy among couples.

Sleeping naked has a number of health advantages, including increased circulation, a lower risk of illness, and a higher metabolism since it keeps the body temperature lower. A better night’s sleep can also be further enhanced by sleeping unclothed, which can aid in relaxation and stress relief.

Making an informed decision about whether or not to sleep naked can be aided by knowing the health benefits of this sleepwear option. You can adjust the conditions in which you sleep for better health and wellbeing by taking into account the possible advantages.

Health benefits of sleeping naked for women:

Wearing loose clothing at night might lessen the health hazards linked to tight clothing and encourage healthy skin suppleness. There may be problems if you wear a bra to bed. It can impair blood flow, make breathing difficult, and irritate the skin.

As a female, the only reason you should wear undies to sleep is when you are on your period to protect the bedsheets from being stained. The following are some of the reasons you should start sleeping naked:

●    It allows your vagina to breathe: After covering your vagina the entire day with underwear and the underwear absorbing and trapping the sweat and secretions from the vagina, the most logical thing is to sleep without undies. This will allow the vagina to get fresh air, relieve dampness, and keep the vagina dry and healthy.

●    Prevent or reduce the risk of bacterial and yeast infections: Bacteria and yeast thrive in warm and damp environments. The vagina is one part of the body that is always warm and moist as a result of sweat and regular vaginal discharge.

Wearing underwear, especially tight and non-cotton underwear, can prevent air circulation and trap moisture in the vaginal area, making the vagina damp. This creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast, resulting in vaginal issues such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and vaginal irritation.

●    It can help prevent vaginal odour and discomfort: The moisture from sweat, secretions, and heat trapped in the genital area by underwear can cause the vagina to develop a strong smell or odour and that can be uncomfortable.

But skipping underwear can allow the vagina to get more air, release heat, and let sweat evaporate, thereby helping to reduce the odour to a minimum. 

●    Reduce the risk of damaging the skin around the vulva: The vagina and vulva are delicate areas prone to inflammation and infection. Always wearing underwear, especially tight ones made of synthetic fabrics, can irritate the vulva and the skin around them. This can cause injuries and bleeding in the groin area. This hurts and may even expose you to infections.

Health benefits of sleeping naked for men:

Just like women, there are some benefits and reasons men should consider sleeping naked. They are:

●    To prevent or reduce the risk of jock itch and other fungal infections: Just like in females, a warm, wet genital organ is a good breeding ground for fungi like tinea cruris, popularly known as jock itch. This can cause irritation and itching.  A breath of fresh air helps the groin area stay cool and dry, especially after prolonged periods of vigorous activity, and reduces the chances of jock itch or any fungal infection.

●    Reduces the chances of injury: Sleeping without underwear and instead in loose and comfortable shorts or pyjamas can reduce the chance of chafing. The friction between the skin and underwear may cause irritation and even injury to the penis or scrotum. And if this happens often or is left untreated, it may lead to infections.

●    To allow the testicles to stay cool: An increase in scrotal temperature can make the testicular environment less favourable for sperm production, resulting in testicular hyperthermia.

Underwear, especially tight underwear, can press the testicles against your body and raise the scrotal temperature. With time, this may lower the sperm count and increase the risk of infertility.

Many people have a sense of exposure when they are not adequately covered. As previously mentioned, the secret to obtaining high-quality sleep is to ensure your comfort. Continue sleeping naked if it makes you comfortable. If wearing clothing that covers you feels comfortable, wear loungewear and light, comfy underwear to bed.

It is a matter of personal preference whether or not you sleep in your underwear, but if you do, you must wear the appropriate materials and styles. Select breathable, light, and soft materials for your clothing, and go for cuts that won’t snag on your skin or limit your range of motion.

How Telemedicine can help

Telemedicine is a means through which an individual consults healthcare professionals through a telecommunication device without having to visit a physical office. You can consult through this link.

Telemedicine grants you the platform, regardless of your location, to access medical services with confidentiality.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are you supposed to sleep with underwear on?

By wearing underwear, you can maintain the dampness near your genitalia. This promotes the growth of bacteria and yeast, which can lead to infections and other issues. Going commando before bed could be a fantastic—and healthy—choice if you are prone to yeast infections, vaginal infections, or vaginal discomfort.

2. Are you supposed to wear underwear under pajamas?

It might not be required to wear underwear when wearing breathable pajamas. Absorbency: Because fleece and synthetic materials absorb more moisture, it is more important to wear underwear to guard against perspiration and bodily oils. Irritation: Certain materials, like wool, can cause skin irritation, necessitating the use of underwear to shield the skin.

3. Why do I sleep better in my underwear?  

You can regulate your body temperature more effectively by wearing underwear when you sleep. It’s possible to prevent skin-to-skin contact and create the illusion that your body is at one temperature by wearing cool, breathable materials.

4. What happens if you don’t wear underwear?

If you don’t wear underwear, your perspiration may evaporate. reduce the amount of smells. lessen chafing that is exacerbated by wetness.

5. Should guys wear underwear to bed?

Going to bed naked is the best way to ensure peaceful sleep, and wearing tight underwear at night is discouraged. Instead of wearing tight underwear to bed, consider wearing lightweight, breathable cotton boxers if you still have privacy concerns and are unable to go without clothing.

6. Is it better to sleep with or without pajamas?

Enhanced quality of sleep

One can safely rule out the likelihood that warming from wearing pajamas may disrupt their sleep by sleeping unclothed. It’s the very last thing you should do to shed clothing and keep cool. Without a doubt, for general sleeping, cooler temperatures are preferable to warmer ones.

7. What is the healthiest thing to wear to bed?

Silk, bamboo, and cotton are all appropriate materials for sleepwear; silk pajamas are a popular choice because of their opulent feel and ability to regulate body temperature. Selecting breathable textiles for your sleepwear is crucial to ensuring a good night’s sleep by regulating your body temperature.

Reference

Beyond Basics. (n.d). Opinion: Should I wear underwear to bed?

Gloot. (2022). Important reasons why men should never wear tight underwear to bed while sleeping at night.

Jewell. T. (2019). Benefits and precautions of not wearing underwear.

Summer’s Eve. (2024). Should women wear underwear to sleep?

Stevens, J. (2023). What to wear to sleep for maximum comfort and a better night’s sleep.

Undersummer. (n.d). Should I wear underwear under my pajamas?

ALSO READ: Male Infertility – causes, evaluation and treatments

Caution:

Sleeping naked is not a treatment for any health condition, Urinary Tracts Infections, vaginal infections and low sperm count. Consult a Doctor if you are suffering from any urinary tracts or sexually transmitted infection

Let bedtime be the time for underwear break. We all love our undies but let’s also show our vaginas, vulvas, penises, and scrotums some love by giving them some time off from underwear. Take off that underwear and let your genitals breathe; let blood and air circulate down there.