We all have our own habits and preferences when it comes to our nighttime routines from how we do our skincare to what we wear to bed. Some people don matching pj sets, others throw on any clean t-shirt they can find, and some sleep in the nude. When it comes to wearing underwear to bed, is there a best choice? Or does it all come down to preference?

Is sleeping in panties or boxers advisable? Or is the best solution for nighttime freeballing or women going commando? Well, those are the questions we’re looking to answer today!

There are positives and negatives to both sleeping without a stitch and wearing your favorite knickers to bed. Being aware of all the pros and cons will help you decide which option is best for you. Without further ado, let’s get to answering the question “Should you wear underwear to bed?”

Obviously, there’s a stark difference between male and female genitalia so the pros and cons of wearing underwear to bed aren’t the same for both sexes. Let’s begin with the question “Should women wear underwear to bed?” We’ve all been told at some point that it’s good to let our kitties breathe throughout the night, but is sleeping with a bare butt the best move? Ladies, here are the pros and cons of wearing underwear to bed:

PROS

• Undies provide a barrier against bad bacteria:  Why do we wear underwear?  To protect our privates! That’s the main case for wearing underwear to bed. It keeps you safe from any germs that may sneak into your bed. 

• Underwear catches messes: If you’re on your period or experiencing heavy discharge, then the idea of ditching your undies may seem unfathomable. Underwear is necessary for the use of certain period products, like pads, and it helps catch leaks from cups and tampons. 

• Underwear can help regulate your body temp: Underwear is great for adding an extra layer of warmth if you’re sleeping in a cold climate. Certain fabrics and types of underwear can also help keep you cool.

• Underwear keeps your sheets from needing extra washes: You may think not wearing underwear to bed will save you a few loads of laundry. Think again! 

• Underwear keeps you decent: If you live with roomies then you may feel more at ease wearing underwear to bed. Imagine running into one of your housemates on a midnight jaunt to the toilet with your butt fully exposed!

• Undies won’t let your kitty breathe: If you often deal with a  sweaty vagina , wearing underwear to bed could exacerbate the problem. Certain fabrics trap moisture and block airflow which can lead to a swampy feeling. 

• Underwear may not be comfy: Some underwear styles, while good for daytime use, can prove to be too restrictive for bedtime. Bedtime is the only time we get to shed all social expectations so that means getting as comfy as possible!

• Undies could lead to skin irritation: If you are a warm sleeper and prone to sweating, wearing underwear to bed may put you at risk of developing a rash or skin redness. 

For women, the difference between wearing or not wearing underwear to bed is pretty slim. If you wear night dresses or long shirts to sleep in then you still have a barrier between your booty and your sheets which makes underwear kind of unnecessary.

It also depends on the conditions you’re sleeping in and whether or not you feel comfy baring all. There may be times when you just want to let your coochie breathe and others when you feel the need to keep your tush safe and secure. Go with the beat of your own drum!

In addition to the question “Should women wear underwear to bed?” you may be wondering if you should sleep in a bra. Sleeping in a bra is not something that has a ton of benefits but it’s definitely something you can do. Reasons for wearing a bra could be to keep the girls contained for extra comfort or to help with back pain if the girls are a bit too large.

If your motivation to wear a bra to bed is to prevent your breast from sagging you may want to reconsider! There’s no stopping Mother Nature and bras do nothing to prevent sagging. If you do choose to wear a bra to bed, avoid sports and underwire bras and get a sleep bra, instead. 

Since there are extra bits to consider, the pros and cons of wearing underwear to bed are more complex for men than they are for women. Men require support from their underwear the same way women do from their bras and ditching the undies during the night could feel a little too exposing. Gentlemen, here are the pros and cons of wearing underwear to bed:

PROS

• Undies hold everything in place: Men’s underwear is designed to be supportive and keep your parts from bobbing around too much. This sensation of knowing everything is secured where it needs to be may prove to be more comfortable for sleeping.

• Underwear keeps your sheets clean longer: Your genitals are known for getting down to some dirty business so exposing them directly to your sheets will result in the need to wash your sheets more frequently. 

• Undies can regulate your body temp: Underwear is a great way to stay warm, but it can also help to keep you cool. If you’re prone to genital sweat, a pair of breathable undies will contain the moisture and help keep you dry. 

• Underwear keeps you covered in case of emergencies: If you find yourself caught in a middle-of-the-night emergency and need to vacate your bed quickly, you’ll be glad you decided to sleep in a pair of boxers!

• Underwear can squish the family jewels: Underwear (especially styles like briefs or trunks) is designed to be snug and supportive. Sometimes you just want freedom when you sleep, and who could blame you for that?

• Underwear may prevent airflow: Some types of underwear block airflow. You already keep the boys under layers of clothing throughout the day, so nighttime is the time to let them get a little breeze!

• Undies could irritate your skin: If you tend to get warm at night, your underwear is at risk of turning into a swampy mess. If the undies you’re wearing don’t wick away moisture, then your skin could rub against the wet fabric and become irritated. 

   

The case for going without underwear at night is harder to present for men than it is for women. If you’re prone to night sweats or just get uncomfortably warm in bed, there may be a good reason for you to skip the skivvies.

However, there could be some (for lack of a better term) floppage to account for. Underwear helps to keep your junk in place, so without it, you’re at risk of accidentally crushing your own balls with your body weight (something to avoid at all costs!)

If baring all in bed works for you, then stick to it! If you’re planning on keeping your tush covered, be sure to choose your underwear carefully to ensure it’s the best underwear to sleep in! (Read on for more tips about that!)

While there’s nothing wrong with sleeping in the nude, there is also no evidence that suggests it’s better for you. There’s no problem with wearing underwear to bed—unless you’re wearing the wrong kind of underwear. Fortunately, it’s pretty much my job to keep that from happening. So, here are the factors you need to consider to ensure that you’re sleeping in the right kind of undies:

FABRIC

The bottom line is that natural fabrics are always the best choice! The main argument for ditching underwear is to let your privates breathe, and synthetic types like polyester underwear can trap moisture, block airflow, and cause skin irritation.

Of course, not all underwear is the same! Hemp underwear is all of the things that synthetic underwear isn’t. Hemp undies are breathable, antibacterial, and super cozy! Organic cotton, linen, and merino wool are also great natural fabric options.

FIT

Making sure that your underwear fits you properly is always important, but you especially don’t want to deal with any underwear fails or discomfort at night. Underwear that’s too tight will ride up your crevices, and underwear that’s too loose won’t protect you against bacteria (so you may as well just sleep with a bare booty).

How should underwear fit? Well, it’s meant to be snug all around without pinching or squeezing anything. For sleep, however, you may prefer looser underwear to keep your body cool and not restrict your movement.

STYLE

The style of underwear that you gravitate towards is based on personal preference and there is no “wrong” style of underwear for daily use but the same isn’t true for wearing underwear to bed. For the sake of your comfort, stick to loose and airy styles.

Men typically gravitate towards boxers for nighttime use and that’s an excellent choice. Wearing tighter underwear, like briefs, could lead to fertility issues and a decreased sperm count.

My advice for women is that almost any underwear style (made of a natural fabric) is fine to sleep in but you may want to avoid thongs. That’s due to the potential bacteria spread that could occur (from your backdoor to your front) if the middle strap of the thong moves throughout the night. Try boyshorts underwear for full coverage and warmth or bikini underwear if you prefer the extra breeze on your cheeks. 

• Sleep in Clean Underwear: All of this lovely advice becomes moot if you choose to sleep in dirty underwear. Your undies catch a lot of sweat and grime throughout the day so it’s imperative to switch them out before hitting the hay. Even if you don’t shower before bed, putting on a clean pair of undies will make a huge difference. 

• Hand Wash Your Underwear: Learning how to hand wash underwear is an easy way to prolong the life of your intimate garments but it also benefits your genital health. Handwashing undies with a delicate soap or detergent will keep them from absorbing any harmful chemicals that will be exposed to your privates. 

• Get Sheets Made of Natural Fibers: Whether you plan to sleep in your birthday suit or not, investing in a set of natural bedding is a good idea.  Breathable underwear can only do so much if you’re sleeping in moisture-trapping sheets made of synthetic fibers. Look into hemp sheets or linen, cotton, and silk if you’re fancy!

• Don’t Ditch the Undies If You Sleep with Pets: We all love our furry friends and some of us don’t even mind letting them sleep in our bed. That said,  pets (namely dogs) can carry a lot of dirt and bacteria! There’s no problem with letting your pets share your bed, but it’s a good idea to stick to pjs if you do, just to protect your privates from any nastiness!

   

Wearing underwear to bed is a decision only you can make based on your lifestyle and preferences. So long as your undies are breathable and comfortable, there’s no harm in wearing them! And if you prefer to sleep in your most natural state, go for it!

Do you wear underwear to bed? Or are you a bare booty sleeper? Let’s discuss the benefits of each in the comments!