We’ve all done it once or twice – gone commando to avoid panty lines.
Or perhaps you just had no clean underwear and that was the easiest option.
Dr. Vanessa Mackay, a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, agrees.
She said: “Wearing your underwear all the time, if nothing else, can lead to chafing and irritation. Especially for menopausal women as they have thinner skin down there so are more susceptible to irritation and rubbing.”
“Sleeping without underwear may be beneficial to women with vaginitis, which is inflammation of the vagina and those who suffer from thrush, a common yeast infection.
“Thrush thrives in warm, moist parts of the body, so avoiding tight-fitting underwear or tights can help prevent the infection.”
“Women have vaginitis, wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear or not wearing underwear while they sleep, may improve the condition.”
Thrush is a common yeast infection that affects most women at some point in their lives.
In most cases, the yeast infection is easy to treat, with help from your pharmacists and over-the-counter medications.
Signs you could be suffering thrush including itching and soreness down there, pain during sex and a stinging sensation when you pee.
Those suffering for the first time, pregnant women and those who’ve suffered two bouts of thrust within six months should speak to their doctor.
Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina that can cause itching, discomfort and discharge.
Women with vaginitis may experience pain while having sex or peeing.
MacKay suggested wearing cotton underwear during the day to reduce the risk of infection, changing your underwear after you’ve had a workout and making sure you wear clean pants every day.
“Try and make sure the crotch is cotton, synthetic underwear increases the moisture trapping in that area because it is not breathable,” she said.
“If there is more moisture there is more risk of bacterial infections and yeast infections because they thrive in that environment.”
“You might want to think about using non-perfumed or hypoallergenic washing power as well. And thongs may increase your risk of irritation and, in theory, there is a risk of bacteria from your back passage to your vagina.”
But there is a small downside to going commando – apart from the risk of accidentally flashing someone.
You also run the risk of irritation if your tight fitting clothes rub against your vulva.
Think seams on skinny jeans and yoga pants.
According to Moore this “can lead to very small nicks in the skin that act as portals for bacteria.”
So if you are wearing jeans pair them with cotton pants that protect from seams but are breathable and absorb sweat, she said.