I quit using pads after 10 days. I hate them. I sleep in my underwear, no problem at all. I slept without, but my sheets rubbed against the area which hurt and changing sheets everyday isn't feasible. I see no problem in wearing underwear, I did and it did not change anything to the healing process. Moisture is needed for granulation tissue to heal, so I take a piece cotton put it under the tap and squeeze the water unto the labia and go to sleep. Sometimes I mix in betadine to prevent any infection, although it isn't needed. The risk of infection is extremely low, unless there is an open wound, then I use betadine until there is enough granulation. Airing out a wound is a medical myth. For wounds to properly heal they need to be covered and "moisturized", just like a plant: not too much, and not too little. But a wound without moisture will never heal properly. In fact, dry wounds promote cell death and is counterproductive in autolytic debridement and therefore slows wound healing. Bacteria are the least of your concern, the body deals with it.
