While some women prefer to wear panties throughout the day, others choose not to wear underwear on a daily basis, leaving the area more “free”. But is it safe to go without panties?
Read also
-
Claudia Meireles
After all, is it better to sleep without panties? The doctor specifies
-
Claudia Meireles
Can washing panties in the shower cause candidiasis? The doctor explains
-
Small shame
A sexologist highlights the risks of having sex with “sideways” panties
Sleeping without underwear, for example, is a practice beneficial to genital health. According to gynecologist Helena Von Eye Corleta, this habit helps reduce humidity and heat in the vulvovaginal region. The use of articles made of synthetic fibers tends to increase local temperature and humidity, which can promote irritation and infections.
“The vagina is a microenvironment conducive to the proliferation of normal microbial agents of the vaginal flora. Avoiding underwear during sleep promotes air circulation, facilitating the drying of the vulvar and perianal skin, which limits the proliferation of these microorganisms”, explains the professional of the National Specialized Commission in Gynecology of the Brazilian Federation of Associations of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FEBRASGO).
Ideally, panties should be made of non-synthetic fabric.
Regarding leaving the house without underwear, Helena explains that it all depends on the type of clothing and the comfort of each person. Clothing made with “coarse” materials or with seams in the groin area can cause direct friction on the vulvar skin, leading to micro-abrasions, diaper rash, or even dermatitis.
“In the absence of panties, the synthetic fabric of the garment comes into direct contact with the skin. If this material does not have adequate breathable properties, body moisture can be retained, neutralizing the benefit of ventilation and contributing to fungal proliferation,” explains the doctor.
In other words, if you opt for loose clothing and natural fabrics, wearing panties remains the woman’s choice.
Is it okay to go without panties a lot?
According to gynecologist Helena Von Eye Corleta, there is no scientific basis to suggest that not wearing panties leads to genital health problems. On the contrary, reduction is a prophylactic measure.
Complications result exclusively from the interaction of inappropriate clothing, as mentioned above, or inadequate hygiene practices.
“The vaginal epithelium produces a normal physiological secretion (including cervical mucus and exfoliated epithelial cells). Without panties, this secretion is absorbed directly by clothing. For some people, this can give the perception of hyperhydration or the feeling that clothes are damp and need to be washed/disinfected more frequently,” explains the expert.
Daily care
There are some daily precautions for those who want to walk without panties more often. Among them, Helena mentions:
- Choose outer clothing whose contact area with the perianal/groin area is made of natural, breathable fibers, such as cotton and linen.
- Avoid pants or skirts with harsh seams or materials that cause significant friction on the vulva and groin.
- Clothing that makes direct contact with the vulva and perianal region (pants, shorts, leggings) should be disinfected after each use. This is essential to prevent the reintroduction of microorganisms into the genital area.
- Not wearing underwear during the day can be positive, however, outerwear should be made of soft, breathable fabric and be washed more frequently (after each use).
- For synthetic or rough-textured outerwear, cotton briefs are the clinically superior option.
About The Author
