Why It Might Be Better For Your Body To Sleep Without Underwear

There's nothing like ending a long day by getting ready to go to bed. After all, getting comfy helps induce sleep. Achieving the right temperature is one way to ensure a good night's sleep — both room temperature and body temperature.

According to Dr. Alon Avidan, director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center, you should aim to keep your bedroom between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, via WebMD. Avidan says that's optimal for good restorative sleep, "Not only in terms of maintaining sleep but also of falling asleep."

Another soothing nighttime ritual is changing into your favorite pair of pajamas. Making yourself as comfortable as possible will help you sleep better. "Getting a good night's sleep is important for your overall health and well-being," Ryan Fiorenzi, certified sleep coach, tells Real Simple. "Most people think of sleep as the time when the body rests, but it's actually a time for the body to rebuild and recover. The best sleep environment is one that's cool." But why might it be better for your body to sleep without underwear?

For some, sleeping naked helps achieve just the right balance of reaching ideal comfort and a suitable body temperature. Just remember to change your sheets more often. For others, sleeping in pajamas but without underwear can also help achieve your best sleep. Interestingly, both can have potential health benefits.

In addition to losing the elastic bands often found in underwear, sleeping without underwear can promote better vaginal health by enabling air to circulate better, as per Healthline. For those who are prone to yeast infections, sleeping with the freedom of no underwear helps the vagina get better air and since the ideal environment for yeast to grow is one that is moist and warm, whatever you can do to get more air to the vaginal area can help.

OB-GYN Dr. Nancy Herta said that in addition to yeast infections, other problems that can be prevented by giving your vagina more air include vaginismus and bacterial vaginosis. "You really should sleep without underwear if you're prone to vaginal issues," says Dr. Herta, via Glamour.

The benefits of not wearing them aren't just for those with vaginas either. Going sans underwear can also benefit scrotal health and male fertility. When briefs or boxers are too snug, the temperature of the scrotum and the sperm inside of it can increase. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, tight underwear and increased temperatures can impact sperm production. While boxers seem to be better than briefs and jockeys in keeping the scrotal area cool, taking a nightly break from underwear may help keep sperm healthy.

If you must wear underwear to sleep, make sure they are loose, via Sleep Foundation. Not only will that be more comfortable, which helps to ensure a better night's sleep, but loose underwear will retain less heat than snug underwear. Nylon, polyester, and tight underwear are the worst offenders for inducing yeast and other vaginal infections. Opt for cotton undies that allow air to circulate a bit better.