There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wearing underwear (or not). It’s really a choose-your-own-adventure situation.
Still, you might wonder whether going sans undies in certain situations is kinda sketchy. Here, all the things you should keep in mind before bailing on your underwear.
Going commando in your workout gear is legit.
If that’s the case, don’t stress about planting your butt on a germy bike seat or workout bench, says ob-gyn Amanda Kallen, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Medicine. Your pants alone are a solid barrier against any bugs lurking on fitness equipment.
The most important thing is that you don’t feel friction or chafing as you sweat, says Dr. Kallen. If you’re uncomfy without that li’l cotton barrier between you and your leggings, shorts, or whatever, definitely throw on a pair.
The second most important rule: Hop out of your leisure as soon as you’re done working out, says ob-gyn Andrea Chisholm, MD, in Cody, Wyoming. “Whether you are going commando or not, get out of your sweaty workout clothes immediately,” she says. That quick move keeps moisture-loving yeast from multiplying and causing a full-on yeast infection.
It’s also totally fine to go underwear-free in regular clothes.
“Again, do what feels comfortable, and if you're comfortable going commando in jeans or your everyday clothes, go for it,” says Dr. Kallen.
That said, when you pass on panties, pay attention to how things feel down below after you’re dressed, says Dr. Kallen. Scratchy or tight fabrics can be really irritating, especially in pants, so don't skip underwear if your ensemble feels too itchy or snug around your vulva, she says.
Adopting an underwear-free lifestyle = more laundry.
Just as you wash your underwear after every use, you need to wash whatever bottoms you wear sans undies every time you wear them, says Dr. Kallen. You can thank odor-causing bacteria as well as discharge that collects on the fabric for more frequent laundry days, she says. Win some, lose some.
Sleeping without underwear might be good for you, but it’s hard to say for sure.
If you’ve ever had a yeast infection, you’ve probably heard a doctor (in person or on the internet) suggest sleeping without underwear to air out your vag overnight. “Even cotton underwear can retain moisture and minimize air circulation that can lead to vulvovaginal problems like yeast infections,” says Dr. Chisholm. And while there’s no harm in sleeping naked, there’s not enough evidence to make it mandatory, says Dr. Kallen.
You can totally ditch your panties during your period.
If you’re using tampons or a menstrual cup, it’s still okay to skip underwear, says Dr. Chisholm. “Just be mindful that there’s one less layer between you and the outside world, so be careful of leaks.”