Experts reveal seven reasons you shouldn't sleep in your underwear or risk health issues
You’re never going to sleep in your underwear again after reading what these experts say can happen if you go sans PJs in the future.
Okay, so there’s always an expert warning us about something that is generally safe to do.
But I’m going to tell you beforehand - you're not going to want to risk wearing underwear anymore once you know what these risks are.
Currently, there are seven unknown health dangers to sleeping in your underwear that the Belle Lingerie team have issued.
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Even though millions of people enjoy keeping themselves covered, it could be interfering with their health.
Here are seven surprising health dangers of keeping your underwear on at night and why choosing to take them off could benefit your health.
Increased risk of yeast infections & UTIs
There’s nothing quite like the comfortability that comes with a urinary tract infection or yeast overgrowth.
It’s itchy, painful, and overall, something you don’t want to have to deal with.
So, why does wearing underwear at night increase your risk of developing one or two of the two conditions?
Essentially, underwear creates a warm space for your genitals, which is the perfect kind of environment to breed yeast and bacteria.
For ladies who don’t sleep in the buff, they could be risking a UTI or yeast overgrowth, which has to be treated with topical ointments and antibiotics.
I know what you might be thinking: but Britt, I’m wearing my ultra-breathable cotton undies that feels like I’m wearing air.
Sadly, it’s still not enough to stop the trapped warmth if they are tight against your skin all night.
The team at Belle Lingerie say ‘it’s recommended to allow this area to 'air out' overnight, giving the body a break from clingy clothing and lowering the chances of recurrent infections’.
Skin irritation and even rashes
The team say: “Night-time is a time when your skin rests and repairs; however, underwear can disrupt this process.”
Whether it’s lace, elastic, or synthetic material, it all rubs against your skin as you toss and turn in bed.
Add in our natural sweat to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for friction, causing rubs, redness, rashes and even fungal infections.
It can be even worse for sufferers of eczema.
It can reduce your sperm count
Did you know that testicles need to be kept in an airy and temperature-regulated environment?
Human testicles are usually kept at 95 ˚F (two degrees lower than your body temperature), and you may notice that they contract or relax to either draw the testes closer to the body for warmth or away to cool down.
This is because if scrotal temperature is increased just a few degrees higher, it can lead to spermatogenesis and cause infertility.
One study which exposed participants’ testes to microwave radiation for thirty minutes at three-week intervals found that their testes maintained heat of 104-108˚F and some ended up with infertility.
A different study had men wear insulated jockstraps for six to fourteen weeks, leading to decreased sperm count after three weeks of use.
Underwear can also promote this warmth.
Lack of air circulation down below
Proper ventilation is key when it comes to down below.
According to the experts: “Our skin regenerates at night, but it can only successfully do so with proper ventilation.
“Underwear reduces airflow to these areas, keeping bacteria and sweat close to the skin.”
If you don’t have proper air circulation, it can lead to folliculitis, blocked pores, and odors.
It might even cause acne-like breakouts in the thigh and groin area.
Not so great sleep
If you’re not comfortable at night, your sleep quality will plummet.
Underwear material can become twisted, bunched, or even dig into the kin, interrupting your sleep.
Lack of good quality sleep has been linked to poor focus, grogginess and overall annoyance.
Fungal infections
Remember how I said you can get fungal infections via skin irritation?
You can also get them (and thrush) because the bacteria thrive on a damp, dark and warm environment.
It’s also quite easy to develop this if you go to bed wearing the same underwear you wore in the day.
Hormone disruption
A lot of underwear is made from synthetic fibers, which are then treated with flame-retardant chemicals, dyes, and finishes.
This can transfer to the skin after wearing them for a long time, which could then mess with your 'endocrine system, disrupting hormone balance’.
According to the underwear company: “The long-tern risks are still being studied; it’s recommended to avoid unnecessary exposure where possible, like during the six to nine hours of sleep.”
So, what’s the cure? Take off your undies.
Without them, you’ll let your skin breathe, reduce the risk of infection and also support male fertility.
If you don’t want to go fully nude, wear some light cotton PJs, so you’re covered but able to get that air flow.
Britt Jones