A SLEEP WITH BRA : HEALTH CONSEQUENCES BY OMOLOLA ADAMS OLATAYO.

                 

                     A SLEEP WITH BRA
Omolola Adams Olatayo. Public Health Expertise

The desire to simply fall into bed without removing your bra after a long night is nearly irresistible to every woman. In addition, there is the myth that wearing a bra to bed will make your breasts perkier. Regardless of how much you hear about the detrimental effects of wearing a bra all day and night, the temptation is always there. Nevertheless, taking an extra minute to remove it will make a significant difference on your health in more ways than one.

Wear A Bra While Sleeping
Once educated on the ramifications of skipping it altogether, it will likely be the first thing you think about before turning off the lights. It should be stated that an ill-fitting bra is the main cause of trouble, but the majority of women are wearing bras that are too tight, therefore causing the problems associated with sleeping in a bra. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry and sleep without one, whether you believe that it fits well or not.

1.Circulation is one of the main things that suffer when you sleep in your bra, particularly if the bra is underwire. If the wire is too tight against your skin, your pectoral muscles will be constricted, affecting the circulation of nerves in your arms. In addition, a bra with tight compression like a sports bra can hurt breast tissue if worn too often because of constantly restricted circulation.
2. Another significant side-effect of wearing an ill-fitting bra to bed is skin irritation. The hooks can protrude into your skin, as well as the straps, that can actually cause lesions or even cysts if left for too long (particularly if the bra is underwire). You may not even notice the slight pain during the night.
3. This same issue can cause restlessness due to the slight irritation that is preventing you entering into a deep sleep.
4. Hyperpigmentation can also occur due to straps and hooks that are too tight and in constant contact with the skin, causing darkening of that particular area.

5. Breast fungus is an additional ramification of wearing an ill-fitting bra to bed regularly. The warm and moist environment can be a breeding ground for fungi, and because the majority of woman spend most of their lives wearing a bra (that typically do not fit properly to begin with), the development of a breast fungus can be likely. Taking the small step to remove the bra at night, particularly if you live in a hot climate and have a larger bust size, can greatly reduce your chances of allowing fungi to grow.

Although the reasoning behind choosing to remove your bra at night is based mainly on the assumption that the bra does not fit appropriately, it is always better to be on the safe side and let your skin breathe for part of the day. If poor circulation, skin irritation, restlessness, hyperpigmentation and breast fungus are things you would like to avoid, removing your bra at night is a small and easy precaution you can take.
There's nothing wrong with wearing a bra while you sleep if that's what you're comfortable with. Some doctors may even recommend it when a girl's breasts are very sore.

You've probably heard all sorts of rumors, both positive and negative, about wearing a bra at night. But the truth is, there's no scientific basis to any of them. Sleeping in a bra will not make a girl's breasts perkier or prevent them from getting saggy. And it will not cause a girl to develop cancer or stunt her breast growth. (It's also not true that underwire bras cause breast cancer.)

Some women want to wear a bra to bed because they think it feels more comfortable. Your best bet is to choose a lightweight, non-underwire bra. Some camisole-style pajama tops even come with a bra built in. The bra you choose to sleep in shouldn't be too tight or have parts that dig in: that could disrupt your sleep or cause breast irritation.

On the subject of staying comfortable, it's never a good idea (day or night) to wear bras that are extremely tight or don't fit properly. Visit a department store or specialty bra shop for regular fittings while you're growing and developing.

Health Risks of Night-Time Wear

It isn’t wearing a bra at night that can create health risks, but rather, the kind of bra that you wear as underwires, as mentioned, can dig into your skin throughout the night and can even cause cysts and irritation. Additionally, no bra, whether for day or night should be extremely tight as it can cut off certain forms of circulation which can create fluid accumulation in the breasts and even result in non-cancerous changes in the shape or size of a lymph node which are found in your underarm. These are responsible for draining any fluids from your breasts, and if your bra is too tight, it can deter this process causing infection. Again though, it isn’t that you are wearing a bra at night, but rather, that you’re wearing the wrong kind of style and no bra should ever be extremely tight whether you’re wearing it for day or nighttime.
And there you have it, ladies. There is absolutely no problem sleeping in a bra and it will not cause any health problems. However, you must always place important on the quality and style of bras to ensure proper wear and comfort. At the end of the day, it comes down to whether you want that extra support.


REFERENCE
Anita Team (2015), Should I sleep in my Bra? http://www.anita.com/blog/en_us/2015/08/27/to-sleep-with-a-bra-on-or-to-not/

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Wear A Bra While Sleeping. http://positivemed.com/2015/10/26/5-reasons-you-shouldnt-wear-a-bra-while-sleeping/

 Mary L. Gavin, MD (2013) is it ok to sleep with my bra? http://m.kidshealth.org/en/teens/bra-sleep.html?WT.ac=

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