If You're Going To Sleep In Underwear, These Are The Best Kind To Wear

Sleep has become such a rare commodity for many of us. Between the constant on-the-go capitalist society we live in and the everyday worries that creep up at night, we just cannot sleep. Many adults live with varying degrees of insomnia, which is trouble not only getting to sleep but staying asleep.

One lifestyle modification advised by sleep experts is to make sure your bedroom is a comfy yet cool environment. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the ideal temperature to keep your bedroom is between 60 and 67 degrees. This is because it's difficult to sleep when you're hot so keeping cool is important.

For this reason, many people sleep in comfortable lightweight clothing and skip wearing underwear. Others choose to sleep sans clothing at all, in which case you'll want to change your sheets more often. However, if you do wear underwear to bed, there is one kind that is better than others for your health.

Don't wear this underwear to bed

Many people don't wear underwear to bed because it's uncomfortable. It may be too tight or just leave you feeling confined which doesn't help the tossing and turning when you already can't sleep. Others find it makes them hot which keeps them awake.

However, for some people, wearing underwear to bed is a habit they've always done so it actually makes them feel cozy and comfy, which in turn, helps them sleep. In the cases of people who typically run warm, they may choose to only sleep in their underwear and skip the pajamas. For whatever reason underwear is worn to bed, there are some things to know.

The type of material your underwear is made out of can affect vaginal health. The worst kind to wear is anything nylon or polyester which can trap bacteria. "If you're more prone to vaginal infections, I would avoid wearing thongs altogether," OB/GYN Dr. Marsha F. Granese told PopSugar. "At night, there's no pros or cons to wearing underwear or not, but I would say avoiding thong underwear would be the most preventative way to prevent infections."

Cotton underwear is ideal for sleeping

If you're committed to wearing underwear to bed, there is one type you should seek out to boost vaginal health. Opt for all cotton underwear which enables air to gently flow throughout the vaginal area. This can help prevent bacteria buildup which can lead to infections, including yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.

"Since it is healthy to have a vaginal discharge — similar to the moisture you always have in your mouth — you want your underwear to gently absorb any extra moisture," OB/GYN Dr. Alyse Kelly-Jones told Healthline. Cotton is also highly absorbent so will soak up any normal vaginal secretions that occur while you sleep.

While cotton underwear isn't the sexiest, it is one of the best underwear fabrics for optimal vaginal health and also a good idea to wear during your waking hours at work or at home. Of course, a good pair of cotton underwear is always the way to go during your period, too.