Should Women Wear Underwear to Sleep?

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, vaginal infections or vaginal 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.