Men’s Underwear and Fertility Risks Go Viral as Doctors Reject Claims

Men are changing their underwear due to growing concerns about fertility and hormonal health.

The movement has taken place online and some men are trying to swap their polyester shorts and underwear for cotton, wool and other organic materials.

They are avoiding synthetic fabrics over concerns about microplastics, “permanent chemicals” and a possible link to infertility, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

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Recent studies have suggested that microplastics (most commonly found in the environment, air, water and food) can transport pollutants to human organs and cause health complications, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular problems and cellular damage.

As more organic men’s underwear brands emerge and grow in popularity, these concerns have also been fueled by conversations on social media and podcasts.

Dr. Paul Turek, a reproductive urologist and microsurgeon in California, told the Journal that “conversations about microplastics are constant now.”

Although he advises his patients to reduce plastic exposure, Turek said he has not yet seen research that validates these concerns.

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Dr. Jaime Knopman, director of fertility preservation at CCRM Fertility New York and author of “Own Your Fertility,” told News Digital that “theoretically” wearing briefs can pose a risk to fertility, but not just because of the material.

“While a change of underwear could help improve fertility, it is rarely the only cause of infertility.”

“Tight fitting can raise the temperature of a man’s testicles, which could reduce the quality and quantity of sperm, leading to decreased fertility,” he said. “However, in my experience, I have not found a direct correlation between wearing panties and a patient’s fertility.”

Knopman added that he has seen no changes in patients who have changed the material or style of underwear.

In an interview with News Digital, Dr. Alex Robles of the Columbia University Fertility Center in New York echoed that “there is no strong evidence that certain tissues alone have a significant impact on male fertility.”

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“That said, higher scrotal temperatures for any reason (heat exposure, tight clothing, prolonged sitting, or cycling) have been linked to reduced semen quality in some studies,” he said.

“Changing underwear alone rarely causes significant changes in fertility. However, some men may see small improvements in sperm quality if they move away from tight-fitting styles that increase heat production and retention.”

Reduce risk

If a male patient has an abnormal semen analysis, Knopman said, she always suggests making some lifestyle modifications to improve sperm health, including sleep, diet and exercise, in addition to consulting a urologist.

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“Adding a change of underwear to the mix doesn’t hurt, but it’s nearly impossible to determine whether a semen analysis is irregular because of a man’s choice of underwear,” he said. “Therefore, while a change of underwear might help improve fertility, it is rarely the only cause of infertility.”

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Knopman emphasized that fertility “is not just a female problem” and that modifications in lifestyle choices should apply to both men and women.

“If a male patient tells me he rides a bike two hours a day or spends an hour in a hot bath, I will tell him to stop,” she said. “While it may not be the reason for your sperm problems, modifying your lifestyle won’t hurt you.

“Just like I tell my patients, ‘You can’t blame yourself for your infertility,'” she added. “Most habits in life are totally fine as long as they are in moderation.”

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Robles advised men to choose comfortable, non-restrictive underwear, avoid excessive exposure to heat, increase food variety and reduce exposure to toxins, including smoking and excessive alcohol.

“The main drivers of declining male fertility are age, obesity, smoking, heat exposure, environmental toxins and underlying medical conditions,” he said. “If you are having fertility problems, I recommend seeing a fertility specialist.”