Ditching our clothes while sleeping is considered a very western activity to date and most Indians are not used to it or probably not even aware of this idea. Our upbringing and socio-cultural parameters are such that we consider sleeping naked as a deeply private act and feel uncomfortable in practicing it even when alone. Because most of us are brought up in a large family set-ups wherein shared feelings take precedence over privacy.
However, it is important to know that choosing to sleep with clothes or without is a personal choice. And in this article we will give you expert-backed reasons why ditching your underwear, in fact, all your clothes during sleep have multi-dimensional benefits to your health. In fact, it is quite crucial that you sleep without underwear if you have vaginal issues.
- It enables free flow of air
Having a piece of cloth pressed to the genitals while you are trying to sleep can be very uncomfortable. Not just that, the synthetic fabric of a panty does not allow your vagina to breathe and get rid of the moistness. The vagina self-cleans itself by releasing a fluid that keeps the underwear wet almost all day. Therefore, it is important to allow it some breathability time, so that there is no moisture build-up leading to infections. "Going commando lets the labia and vagina spend some time away from underwear fabric," Kameelah Phillips, MD, an OB/GYN based in New York City, tells Bustle.
- It helps you sleep faster and better
One of the factors that play an important role in helping you fall asleep and stay asleep is body temperature. A 2012 study by the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) had revealed that the body’s exposure to heat can increase wakefulness and hamper the quality of your sleep. Kicking off your underwear can help cool your body, thereby, inducing sleep faster. The ideal temperature of the body when trying to sleep should be 60-65 degrees but that cannot always be achieved, especially, during summers. Therefore, it is recommended that you take off your underwear before sleep or better, sleep naked.
- It reduces the risk of yeast infections
When we wear tight undergarments or trousers made with fabrics that prevent the passage of air, your private part becomes warm and damp. Experts believe that this allows the growth of bacteria in your vagina which in turn leads to yeast infection. "Allowing the air to hit this area is important because it stops the moisture trapped by our underwear from causing a yeast infection and skin irritation externally," Cindy Barshop, a sexual health expert tells Bustle. If you are susceptible to yeast infection but don’t want to sleep naked, you can wear loose pajamas or skirts that would allow your vagina to breathe.
- It reduces the risk of allergies
The night time may be the only time when the skin of your vagina is not directly in contact with harsh chemicals used to wash your underwear. Dr. Kameelah Phillips suggests that taking an occasional break from underwear can be healthy for your vagina and labia because they will be away from chemicals that detergent or fabric softeners leave over after washing, thereby, reducing the risk of skin rashes, allergies, and other skin conditions.
