What to sleep in in hot weather? [WE EXPLAIN]

High outside temperatures also heat up the rooms in which we sleep. Warmth accompanies us all night long. What should we sleep in during hot weather so as not to harm ourselves? Dr. Anna Horbaczewska, a gynecologist from the Superior Medical Center, explains for MedTvoiLokona.

1. – The answer to the question of what to sleep in can be summed up in two words – the doctor explains. Although such a solution is not always possible
2. In women, in hot weather, the risk of unpleasant infections increases significantly. Therefore, the question “what to go to bed in” is more important than it might seem
3. The situation of women and men in this matter is diametrically different. – Gentlemen, it is much easier – explains the doctor
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage.

Agnieszka Mazur-Puchała, Medonet: The heat in Poland does not let go even at night. As a result, in the morning we wake up in a sweat. And this raises the basic question: what should we sleep in in such difficult conditions?

Dr Anna Horbaczewska: The answer is really two words: nothing. This is by far the healthiest in terms of possible risk of infection. If for some reason we do not have such a possibility, then it is best to put on underwear made of natural materials – cotton, airy, relatively loose.

Underwear made of synthetic materials, one that is impermeable to air, is not a solution conducive to the health of a woman during hot nights. The environment in the perineum is moist, which means that pathogenic microorganisms automatically multiply there. This is especially important for women who struggle with recurring intimate infections. Especially fungal.

1. Why you shouldn’t sleep in panties? [WE EXPLAIN]

So women should sleep naked. And the gentlemen? The same rules apply to them too?

Gentlemen have it much easier in this respect. In their case, all that is needed is hygiene, i.e. the use of soapy water. If they remember it, it doesn’t really matter later whether they sleep in their underwear or not. I haven’t heard of men who have problems with infections other than sexually transmitted infections. However, in women, this spectrum is much wider, many more factors influence the risk of infection. It is the hormonal economy, hygiene habits, but also sexual intercourse, the quality of the natural bacterial flora, more frequent visits to swimming pools and saunas, drugs that are taken (especially antibiotics) – all this does not work well and increases the risk of intimate infections.

Is there anything else we can do in hot weather to avoid intimate infections?

Yes, we can counteract them by properly caring for hygiene. This “appropriately” means a balanced method. Not too little, but also not excessively, and ladies often have trouble finding a balance in this matter. Paradoxically, too much intimate hygiene can also lead to infections. Especially if we use detergents around the vaginal and perineal mucosa. In this way, we can simply destroy our natural bacterial flora. And if it is not there or when it is weakened, the door to the development of fungal infections opens for us.

If you are prone to infections, it is a good idea to get tested regularly for infections. Now you can make them in a convenient, mail-order form.

How should such hygiene look like then?

Running water is the best for proper intimate hygiene – i.e. not a bathtub, but a shower. We use such a stream of water to clean the area around the mucous membranes. On the other hand, when it comes to soap, we can clean the abdomen, pubic mound or groin with it. But let’s try to keep the detergent in as little contact with the mucous membranes as possible. Washing twice a day is enough, unless there are other indications – such as menstruation or increased physical activity. Proper hygiene is the second step to success when it comes to preventing infection in hot weather. Right behind the underwear we sleep in.

1. Same razor for legs and bikini area, stretchy underwear, use of a jacuzzi. Yes you “invite” intimate infections

You told the doctor that you should use running water for washing. No intimate cleanser?

Intimate hygiene fluids are often overused and can therefore do more harm than good. Of course, if the patient is healthy and has no tendency to infection or any other aggravating factors, nothing will happen if she uses such a fluid. Reasonably. However, in the case of a patient with infectious problems, we always ask them what they use to wash, how often, because it happens that they unknowingly hurt themselves precisely because it happens too often or because washing is too strenuous.

I will also ask about menstruation in hot weather. Which means to use during the day, what to use at night?

When it comes to hygiene during the day, we choose what is most comfortable, what we are used to. When we decide on tampons – great. Sanitary towels are OK too, and so are the menstrual cups. Here, the most important thing is to remember to change these funds on a regular basis. Let’s try not to allow a situation where one sanitary napkin or one tampon is worn for several hours, or even for the whole day.

Menstrual cup – ecological and very convenient to use. It’s worth a try!

At night, however, the recommendations are different. Here, pads work better than tampons. This is because hardly anyone gets up at night just to change the tampon or pad. This means that automatically such a hygiene product is not replaced for a long time, and therefore bacteria can multiply in it. And it is better if it is on the outside of the vagina and not inside.

We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time, we asked Orina Krajewska what, according to her, a holistic approach to health is. How to combine the three aspects – body, spirit and mind to enjoy balance and good health? You will hear about this and many other aspects of the topic in the latest episode of our podcast.