Every evening, it’s the same question: should you put on panties or boxers under your pajamas, or let your skin breathe freely during the night? Behind this innocuous gesture lies a real debate about hygiene and health, on which Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical, sheds his light.
For or against?
Bedtime habits are sometimes as personal as a pillow secret. However, the question divides: should you wear underwear under your pajamas or not? For Dr Gérald Kierzek, the answer is clear: “Sleeping without underwear under your pajamas has several advantages for skin health, in particular by allowing better skin respiration, reducing humidity and therefore limiting the risk of irritation and infections, such as mycosis or cystitis. This practice also promotes better thermal regulation, essential for restful sleep.“.
Benefits differ depending on gender
The absence of underwear at night does not have the same effects depending on whether you are a man or a woman. The doctor specifies: “For women, sleeping without panties helps maintain a healthier intimate environment, limiting vaginal irritation and infections, particularly during sensitive periods (periods, contraception, menopause).“.
Conversely, “In men, not wearing underwear at night helps regulate testicular temperature, which benefits fertility and reduces the risk of local irritation or infections.“.
Overall, you can drop the panties at night. The benefits are numerous regardless of the gender, but hygiene recommendations exist and remain essential.
Hygiene precautions to adopt
If the idea of sleeping without underwear is attractive, it nevertheless requires a minimum of rigor.
- Wash your pajamas regularly: “Without a textile barrier, the pajamas are directly in contact with the skin and secretions, so nightclothes should be washed ideally every two days for good hygiene.” ;
- Choosing the right pajamas fabric: “Natural, breathable materials should be favored for pajamas (cotton, silk) in order to optimize ventilation and limit skin maceration.” ;
- Appropriate personal hygiene: “Showering before bed helps reduce bacterial growth“.
In summary, the doctor concludes: “Sleeping without underwear is beneficial for intimate and skin health if you follow appropriate hygiene, including frequent washing of linen and nightwear made from natural materials.“.