.Do you wear pants to bed? Many women would likely
answer in the affirmative. However, experts say when a
woman does so on a daily basis when it’s not
necessarily because she is having her period, there may
be untoward side effects to it!
Physicians aver that the female genital needs to
breathe in order to maintain its PH levels and prevent
fungi and odour. And that’s why doctors advise going
bare below when it’s bed time at the close of day.
"With BV, there is an increase in harmful bacteria and a
decrease in good bacteria. BV is the most common
va'ginal infection in women of child-bearing age."
Part of the problem, says Family Physician, Dr. Grace
Obong, is that during the day, women wear a variety of
panties and tight outfits that hardly allow their privates
to breathe. She says though it’s advisable and
absolutely preferable to wear cotton panties, many
women still opt for polyester panties, with the
attendant heating up of the genital area while the day
lasts.
And as for those who may not like to go to sleep
without having pants on, Obong recommends wearing
of boxers or pyjamas.
Bacterial va'ginosis
Talking about the need to maintain the PH levels of the
va'gina, experts at womenshealth.gov say the va'gina
normally has a balance of mostly “good” bacteria and
fewer “harmful” bacteria. However, a condition, called
bacterial va'ginosis, develops when the balance
changes.
Obong says women with BV may have an abnormal
va'ginal discharge with an unpleasant odour, while
some women may complain of a strong fish-like odour,
especially after se'x.
“The discharge can be white (milky) or gray. It may
also be foamy or watery. Other symptoms may include
burning when ur'inating, itching around the outside of
the va'gina, and irritation; while some women with BV
have no symptoms at all,” she adds.
Yeast infection
To further underscore the negative effects of wearing
panties to bed, online portal, Medline Plus, also notes
that too much moist in the female genital area can
lead to va'ginal yeast infection, most commonly due to
the fungus Candida albicans.
“Wearing tight underwear or a pair made from polyester
or some other material that doesn’t breathe can lock in
moisture and lead to yeast infections,” the warning
goes.
Again, Certified Se'xuality Counselor, Evelyn Resh, says,
“I do not recommend that women wear underwear to
bed. Taking a break from underwear for the eight or so
hours that you’re asleep gives you an opportunity to
‘air-out’ down there! Best to have an underwear-free
zone while sleeping.”
And while yeast infection is not a se'xually transmitted
illness, physicians say some men will develop
symptoms such as itching and a rash on the penis
after having se'xual contact with an infected partner.
The symptoms of yeast infection are as obnoxious as
they are embarrassing, and they include abnormal
va'ginal discharge, which ranges from a slightly
watery, white discharge to a thick, white, chunky
discharge; painful intercourse, painful ur'ination,
redness and swelling of the vu'lva; and itching in the
va'gina and the lab'ia. You may also feel burning
sensation when you have yeast infection.
Go natural
The online physician, Dr. Mehmet Oz, counsels, “It’s
time to go au naturel. You don’t want it to be so moist
down there. Let it dry out a little bit.” The reason for
this timely advice, Oz says, is because the underpants
can abrade on your skin a little bit, and can cause
pimples. And you don’t want that.
BUT I WILL STILL OPPOSE WITH SOME TEXT
There's really no right or wrong answer here, because it
depends solely on your body and your preference. If
you've never had a problem wearing panties to bed,
then it's perfectly healthy to continue wearing them.
Definitely opt for cotton undies, since this natural
material is breathable. Wearing tight underwear or a
pair of polyester panties can lock in moisture and lead
to yeast infections. If you're uncomfortable with the
idea of sleeping with nothing between you and your
sheets, try slipping on some loose cotton boxers!
On the other hand, if you love to sleep without
underwear, then going panty-free is OK, too. Just do
what allows you to feel the most comfortable and get
the most restful night of sleep. And, if you're prone to
yeast infections, going commando while you snooze
may help prevent this issue.
