It’s a normal evening routine (albeit a boring one)… you have some dinner, watch TV, take a shower, put on some moisturiser, brush your teeth and start changing into your pyjamas. Sounds simple enough, but therein lies a dilemma that has plagued women for years: do I take off my bra or do I keep it on?

We’ve all heard the rumours: sleeping with a bra may cause pores from being able to breathe which can result in breast cancer and, on the other, wearing a bra can eliminate back pain and keep your breasts… well…up. But how much of it is true?

Discomfort has led people to think there are potential risks but, as is often the case with many rumours, there is no evidence to back these claims. The rumour linked to breast cancer, for instance, was initiated from a study which was not even considered fit for peer review because it ignored factors like age and weight.

Another factor which is important to consider when faced with this Sophie’s choice is size. A-cups and B-cups do not necessarily need a bra when sleeping but D-cups could actually benefit with that little bit of extra support, especially because it can be helpful to prevent back pain.

Nevertheless, Linda Becker, a professional bra fitter in New York, told the Huffington Post in 2012 that women “should never sleep in a bra with a wire, it should be a soft-cup bra. Sleeping with a bra with a wire can give you cysts or irritate your breasts”.

The only thing women should worry about is whether they are wearing a good bra.

So, sleep without a bra or follow in Marilyn Monroe’s footsteps, who according to her good friend Amy Greene wore a “big bra” to bed. Either way, the decision should be individualised and based on your body and not others’ opinion.