Sperm quality boxer shorts or better briefs - Which underpants should man ideally wear?

Boxer shorts protect fertility?

For a long time there has been discussion among men about what kind of underwear should be worn. An important argument in this discussion is the impact of the worn underwear on fertility. Researchers have now investigated which underwear should be worn to support the production of healthy sperm.

The researchers from the Harvard TC Chan School of Public Health in their latest study sought to find out what kind of underwear men should wear to ensure the production of healthy sperm. The physicians published the results of their study in the English language journal "Human Reproduction".

Sperm are an elementary factor in male fertility. How does the choice of underwear affect the fertility and sperm production in men? (Image: Sebastian Kaulitzki / fotolia.com)

Underwear should not limit fertility

What is important in the choice of underwear for men? Is it about which underwear is most comfortable or which underwear looks the best? Physicians say that men should pay particular attention to their underwear so that it does not restrict or reduce fertility. For a long time it was said on this subject that so-called boxer shorts are much healthier for the testicles and the production of healthy sperm. But this statement also corresponds to the facts?

Tight-fitting underwear hurts fertility

Physicians at the Harvard TC Chan School of Public Health found that tight-fitting underwear is indeed associated with decreased sperm concentration and can lead to lower blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Researchers find compensation mechanism

An important strength of the study is that it explored the possible relationship between the type of underwear worn and testicular function indicators, such as reproductive hormone levels and DNA damage, which were not included in any previous studies on this topic, study author Dr , Lidia Minguez-Alarcon from the Harvard TC Chan School of Public Health. The physicians also found a potential compensatory mechanism in which reduced sperm production associated with the type of underwear signaled to the hypothalamus to enhance the secretion of gonadotropin (testicular hormones) to increase sperm production.

656 men participated in the study

For the study, 1,186 sperm samples from 656 different men were analyzed who wanted to have fertility treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital between the year 2000 and 2017. These participants also took a blood sample so that doctors could examine the level of FSH, estradiol (a form of estrogen) and luteinizing hormone (a hormone used in reproductive cell development). The experts found that the men who wore boxer shorts (53 percent of the participants) had higher sperm concentration (plus 25 percent), higher sperm count (plus 25 percent), and lower FSH levels (minus 14 percent). Factors that could affect sperm, such as age, BMI, smoking, and the time between sampling and the last ejaculation, were also considered by the scientists.

What limitations did the study have??

However, the results of the study could be affected by the fact that 67 percent of the participants submitted only one sample. In addition, the quality of sperm also change with the daily rhythm, explain the authors of the study. The so-called circadian variation can affect hormone production as well as a hot bath, the researchers say. The scientists tried to take these factors into account as much as possible in their study.

Further research is needed

Future studies will hopefully further examine the molecular mechanism of hormone level changes and testicular damage from underwear. Lidia Minguez Alarcon. Thus it can be determined whether any clear (risk) patterns occur. (As)