a better sleep: to bra, or not to bra
it's a myth that wearing a bra to bed causes cancer or sagging. in fact, when it comes to sleep time, wear what you want.
2 minute read
that bras cause cancer or sagging are myths. stock/getty
it’s a question that’s divided women for years: whether you should (or should not) wear a bra when you are going to sleep. some love it and some hate it, others find it comfortable while some don’t.
there are a lot of myths around wearing a bra to sleep, one of which claims that sleeping in an underwire bra can lead to breast cancer. these claims are “entirely false†according to neelima denduluri, md, oncologist with virginia cancer specialists, the associate chair of the u.s. oncology network breast committee, and a clinical assistant professor at georgetown university medical center.
she told the healthy that the only thing bras and cancer have in common is that they’re linked with boobs. “underwire bras are not associated with causing cancer at all, sleeping or awake,†she said. “in fact bras of any type are not associated with causing cancer.â€
in one study, the researchers emphasized that nothing about wearing a bra (like cup size, how long you wear one, or the age that people started wearing a bra) had any impact one someone’s risk of breast cancer.
another myth around wearing bras to bed is that sleeping with a bra on will increase their chances for sagging (although interestingly, marilyn monroe wore a bra to bed to prevent them from sagging).
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but dr seth rankin, founder of private gp chain london doctors clinic told cosmopolitan that breast sagging will happen regardless when women age: sleeping with a bra or not. he added that it’s because the connective tissue holding breasts in place loses its elasticity over time.
rankin notes that there are various factors that can contribute to sagging breasts, including “pregnancy and breastfeeding, genetics, smoking, dramatic weight-loss or gain, and perhaps even high-intensity activity”. he explained that this makes it “very hard to measure the effect of wearing a bra to bed, with so many other factors having far more significant effects”.
so while there’s no medical reason for sleeping braless or with a bra, there’s a significant reason you should consider: comfort. denduluri says that for those women who find bras uncomfortable, they should go braless to help them sleep better. but some women, particularly those with larger breasts or very sensitive nipples, may prefer the support and protection of a bra.
she added that for those who do prefer to wear a bra when they sleep, they should one that’s comfy. if you are in the market for a bedtime bra, there are lots of options to choose from. some women tend to skip the tight or heavy-duty underwire bras and choose light options like a bralette, which allow for comfort, support and breathability.
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jordan heuvelmans is a freelance journalist with healthing.ca. you can follow her on twitter at @jordanheuvelm
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