Boxers, Briefs and Fertility

When it comes to a couple’s fertility, there are many factors that go into determining whether a couple will conceive and when. There is also a lot of misinformation out there about infertility issues, and there are some misconceptions, too. For example, one of the lesser known but potentially problematic fertility issues doesn’t have to do with fallopian tubes, ovaries or even sperm (at least not directly). It has to do with the man’s choice of underwear.

It’s important, first of all, to understand that men are just as responsible as women for infertility struggles. About 40 percent of fertility problems in couples have to do with female infertility, and about that same percentage have to do with male infertility. The remaining 20 percent of the time, there are usually both male and female issues. This means that 60 percent of the time you need to be concerned about the male partner’s role in conception and fertility.

So, how does underwear affect fertility? It’s actually very simple. You see, studies show that men who wear briefs may actually have a lower sperm count, on average, than men who wear boxers. Why is this, exactly? As it turns out, the testicles and scrotum of the men who wear briefs tend to be at a higher temperature than for men who wear boxers. The scrotum and testicles are likely to be at body temperature.

In contrast, when a man wears boxers, the scrotum hang down as designed and are not pressed up against the body. This means that the testicles will be at a lower temperature than the rest of the body, just like the other extremities. This is the optimal position for sperm production.

All of that said, the odds that a fertility issue for a couple is solely related to underwear are pretty slim. Wearing briefs isn’t likely, in and of itself, to prevent you from becoming pregnant, although it could theoretically make it a little bit more difficult and take more time to get pregnant.

Diggdel.icio.usFacebookStumbleUpon

This entry was posted under Fertility Issues.