Boxers or Briefs?
Believe it or not, it’s a question I get fairly often: “Grok didn’t wear tighty-whities. Should I?”
From time to time, I like to have some fun and expand the scope of this blog beyond the regular topics. Health and wellness, after all, come down to far more than just diet and exercise (and sleep and sun and stress, for that matter). So I’ve written about everything from the benefits of squat toilets, going poo-less, and stand-up workstations to the dangers of excessive sitting, nighttime light exposure, and passive living. Today, I’m going to branch out again. Today, I’ll attempt to answer what sages, wise men, gurus, and guys sitting around in gym locker rooms could not: boxers or briefs (or nothing at all)? So fill your cup and let’s dig in.
This topic was prompted by a reader’s email:
I thought this could be an entertaining topic.
We’ve all seen the Seinfeld episode where Kramer starts wearing boxers when Elaine tells him boxers are better for his sperm count.
Is there any hormonal drawbacks associated with briefs that could be caused by the low sperm count or vice versa?
Our ancestors were certainly “out there, and loving every minute of it.”
Sean
Here’s the Seinfeld clip in question:
Having watched that, I’m not even sure a post is necessary. Kramer pretty much covers it. Still, not everyone has access to YouTube at work, so I’ll continue.
I’m not going to discuss the subjective effects of wearing boxers, briefs, or nothing at all. People have their preferences. Some people like providing a safe, secure, snug house for their boys, while others take a more free-range approach. No value judgements cast here.
But what’s our natural state?
While it could be argued that going commando is “most natural,” seeing as how we’re all born in the Hanes-less state, I’d say that loose-fitting boxers are pretty close to natural, too. Loincloths were the earliest undergarments, and those were essentially just a piece of fabric loosely looped between the legs. Plenty of air flow and very little confinement. Grok’s private bits definitely breathed, whether he wore a loincloth or nothing. Okay, so one is more natural than the other(s), but does that make a difference for our health? Natural doesn’t always mean better, you know.
“Everyone knows” that wearing tight briefs reduces sperm count, and I briefly discussed this in a Dear Mark that asked about laptops and infertility. It’s true that scrotal heat stress does have the potential to affect sperm quality, count, and motility, as in men with varioceles – enlarged testicular veins that lead to excessive blood flow, elevated scrotal temperatures, and sometimes infertility – but it’s unclear whether choice of underwear represents a significant-enough thermal stress to the scrotum to induce negative changes. The questions we must ask are: does the choice of underwear truly affect scrotal temperatures? And if it does, is it sufficient to negatively affect male fertility? Let’s look at the evidence:
In one study, healthy young men wearing tight-fitting polyester-lined athletic support garments consistently displayed elevated scrotal temperatures between 0.8 and 1 degree C. This increase, however, did not affect any fertility parameters, including sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology, sperm viability, sperm hyperactivation, and the ability of sperm to penetrate hamster oocytes (sadly, no hamster-human hybrids were created throughout the course of this study).
Another study found no difference in scrotal temperatures between wearers of boxers and wears of briefs. In fact, the average temperature was actually a hair lower in the brief group, though it wasn’t significant. Fertility parameters all checked out, as well.
In another study, the author measured how various garments and positions affected his own scrotal temperature. Boxers were 0.5 degrees C cooler than briefs. Scrotal slit underpants were 1.2 degrees cooler than boxers. Sitting with thighs apart was 1.6 degrees cooler than sitting with thighs together. He didn’t measure his fertility parameters, however, so we don’t know whether or not those were affected.
And finally, a team of researchers studied the effects of boxers, briefs, and going commando on the scrotal temperatures of 50 healthy men without a history of infertility. They found conclusive evidence that wearing tight-fitting underwear such as briefs resulted in elevated scrotal temperatures, though it “remains to be elucidated whether these differences are linked to semen quality and consequently male fertility.”
Choice of fabric might make a difference, too. In an Egyptian study, one researcher used polyester slings (that allowed penis exposure but kept the scrotum confined) to induce azoospermia – the state of having no measurable sperm in semen – in previously fertile men. These were like briefs on steroids, fully preventing the tendency of the scrotum to “hang low” (which it does for thermoregulatory purposes). They caused the testicular temperatures to approach the rectal temperatures, which is way hotter than testicles are built to withstand and which apparently contributed to the infertility. But the author also thought that scrotal-polyester friction-induced electrostatic charges might have played a role as well. To figure out which was responsible, that same researcher did a followup study, this time using dogs in specially-fitted underwear. To eliminate the confounder of scrotal temperature, he made the underwear loose fitting. And sure enough, testicular temperature didn’t change much. Not even in the polyester group. The dogs wore the underwear for 12 months straight. Once again, the polyester underpants killed fertility (without affecting temperature), while cotton underwear dogs and control dogs (commando) experienced no change. I was alive during the seventies, and I can certainly vouch for the friction that occurs between bare skin and polyester.
As for the hormonal stuff? While scrotal temperature changes do affect follicle stimulating hormone, which controls sperm quality and count, they do not seem to affect testosterone levels. Fertility can be affected, but not via testosterone.
I wish I could give you an absolute proclamation, here, but I can’t. How about some general guidance?
- If you’re having trouble conceiving, or your sperm count comes back low, and you wear briefs or some other tight-fitting underwear, switching to boxers, or cotton, or nothing at all might help. Either way, it’s not going to hurt.
- Normal scrotal temperature – the kind that promotes fertility – is one or two degrees C below body temperature. As seen in the Egyptian study, once the scrotal temperature approached the rectal (body) temperature, fertility was impaired. The best way to measure your scrotal temperature is with an infrared thermometer, which can be a bit pricey.
- Don’t wear tight fitting underwear – polyester or not – for 12 months straight. Give your boys some time off, whether that comes through targeted ice baths, walking around (walking and standing and even running lead to cooler scrotums than sitting) more, or switching to more forgiving undergarments.
- Switch to a natural fabric, whether it’s cotton, animal skin, or nothing.
- Don’t be in such a rush to always replace your underwear with a gaping hole in the crotch. It might actually be helping, especially if it facilitates scrotal drooping.
Thus, as is usually the case, there’s no right or wrong answer here. While wearing tight-fitting briefs can increase scrotal temperature, which can affect fertility, it’s not a sure thing. The research is unclear, and the ultimate choice rests in your hands. Go ahead and mess around with infrared thermometers if you’re really concerned, and get your sperm count tested, but you probably don’t have much to worry about as long as you’re adhering to the general guidelines listed above.
So, dear readers, what say you – boxers or briefs?
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
That’s it – my better half is getting a loincloth for Christmas!
What about during workouts? Especially runs and sprints. I was always told to wear tight underwear during runs to prevent things from bouncing around too much and getting damaged.
Let your junk bounce free!!!
I use under armor compression shorts when I work out. I find that there is less chaffing than if I wear boxers. If my balls are really tight against my body for an hour or two, will that have a negative impact on fertility?
these are made out of poly type stuff right?
I’ve always been under the impression during sprints you need to wear tight fitting boxer briefs to avoid testicular twisting where the bloods supply can get cut off. A quick google calls it “testicular tortion”. Seems some other issues may be at play but I’m going to protect the boys during exercise with some boxer briefs.
I knew a guy who had to have surgery to correct that. Quite painful. Not that I have any insight as to the current topic. Just felt like sharing.
Cotton=pesticides Hemp or cotton=no pesticides. I wear hemp boxers although pricey at $38 a pair, best pair of underwear I ever owned. I have two pair and me thinks I need them in all the colors.
i mean organic cotton=no pesticides
I turned my back on underwear several years ago, I let the boys hang loose as nature intended.
I can pretty much guarantee the comment of the week will come from this article. I’d be willing to bet it also uses the phrase “scrotal drooping.”
“What’s worn under the kilt?”
“Nothing, ma’am, it’s all in perfect working order.”
Well, I’m definitely partial to boxer briefs. They’re so cute!
That’s what this Toad where’s – exefficio boxer briefs. Perfect for traveling
A greater and more overlooked threat to your swimmies is your cellphone kept in a pants pocket. Grok sure as hell never thought that microwaving his ball sack would be a good idea, neither should you.
luckily its getting cold so my cellphone will be kept in my jacket pocket, so hopefully someone wont be stealing my outdated droid x
So true. I’ve been keeping my cell phone in my backpack more recently to not spend so much time on it. I guess this is a side benefit!
holy crap!!! XD lol
I really need to start keeping it in my backpack when walking to class.
Middle-aged comedians joke about their sagging ballsacks. How they have to move them to sit. How the dangling mess is always in the way. Like a bra, tighty whities support that thin skin so you aren’t a sagging mess later in life. Your decision but plan for your future.
It is my understanding that it is a myth that bras prevent breasts from sagging.
It is totally a myth about bras preventing anything except fun.
Actually, Bras prevent breast ligaments from over stretching. While they might not eliminate all possibility of saggy boobs, a proper fitting bra will definitely help prevent breasts from sagging (ask my 92 year old grandmother, haha).
It is a myth indeed, as far as I can tell. While bras do prevent the ligaments from stretching, they also prevent the ligaments from doing their job of holding up a breast. So, they get weak and it leads to sag anyway. Those puppies are going to sag if they want to no matter what we do. Non-sagging seems to be completely out of our control.
Without embarrassing my little mum, she’s still pert at 81, and I’m in the footsteps at 47. Of course, micro-bosoms are gravity-agnostic to start with…
Point being that bras may help.
It’s my understanding, thin skin is a result of natural aging, and cannot be prevented by garmentry.
In other words, skin continues to lose it’s bouyancy with age. Nothing will ever prevent the droop bar surgery.
Totally anecdotal, but… my husband has always required a snug home for his boys, and we’ve got four kids…
serves me right for reading the comments… did not need to know, mom!!
At my age, I could honestly care less about fertility
but…I still go commando. an old habit from the military that I have yet to experience any desire to break.
I also run and work out with the same. throw on the sweats and go. I have never experienced any issues with soreness or anything else even in full sprints. only time i get sore is when im getting kicked there
But, that’s what cups are for.
I was a boxer dude my whole life. I now own 3 pair of exefficio boxer briefs. They are PERFECT for traveling. I wash them in the shower and they can dry in a few hours.
This: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001M0MN16?dpm=1&pi=SL75&qid=1352223165&ref_=mp_s_a_1&sr=8-1-spell (NOT an affiliate link)
Ah the simple life is so beautiful….i
I’ve actually had better results with Merino Wool than Exefficio.
I recommend Smartwool underwear, and Icebreaker shirts.
It’s INCREDIBLY comfortable, organic, AND flame resistant.
equal time between boxer-briefs and just boxers. Gave up the tighty whities in college. They just felt embarrassing to wear.
it took you til college to realize tighty whities weren’t cool…?
My father’s 93, a boxer fan all his life, he’s hanging down around his knees. I think you got to mix it up, if you hearing “Born Free” when you wake up go Commando! I’m just sayin……..
“Fill your cup”… Really Mark??? LOL
That was my thought also. LOL
After my third child was born (and I always wore tighty whities then) I had a vasectomy (so long ago the doctor used a stone knife). So the sperm issue became a non-issue and my wife and I had a lot more spontaneous fun. Then, in my 30′s I went commando, in my 40′s, boxers, and in my late 50′s I switched to boxer briefs, which suit me just fine.
Forgot to mention: When my children were born I was living in Arizona (Mesa, Phoenix area) and working outside doing construction work in the sometimes incredible heat. So I know my boys got really hot most summer days.
I recommend getting a vasectomy and not worrying about it.
+1
We live in Florida, and my fiance used to love his boxer briefs. Loved the support, he said. They got so worn out that I bought him a new pack about a year and a half ago, but the same size was so incredibly tight and uncomfortable (evidently the old ones were REALLY worn out) that he started letting it all hang free. He says it’s much, much cooler during the summer now, far fewer incidents of sweaty man parts. Never having had sweaty man parts myself, I can only assume it isn’t pleasant. Here’s to being naked under our clothes.
One word: Kilt!
This confirms my choice to go commando about 70% of the time. And yes, I gotta hook up a kilt soon.
Fascinating topic:)
“I was alive during the seventies, and I can certainly vouch for the friction that occurs between bare skin and polyester.”
L – O – L!
Yet another use for butter and oils.
Rectum? Damn near killed’em!
I live for your hilarious, witty comments!
”
“What’s worn under the kilt?”
“Nothing, ma’am, it’s all in perfect working order.””
If you wear anything under it, it is a skirt
I wear robes, you know like hefty robes that Greek scholars or Shogun use to wear. Amazing!
Aren’t socks almost universally worn under the kilt?
I wear lipstick under mine
Traditionally? No. The English decided to tell the Scots what Scottish fashion and heritage was a couple centuries ago (in an attempt to make them more loyal or something). Prior to that all Scots were barefoot at all times, including winter, and including even the highest nobles.
“What’s worn under the kilt?”
“Boots.”
Boxers are the most comfortable imho. Gotta love the levity of MDA haha
Yes!
I just want to see the thermometer they used.
I wear boxer-briefs.
Do your balls hang low, do they waggle too and fro~
Sorry, couldn’t resist. XD
Can you tie ‘em in a knot?
Can you tie ‘em in a bow?
Can you throw them over your shoulder?
Like a continental soldier?
Would you like them
in a house?
Would you like them
with a mouse?
Say!
In the dark?
Here in the dark!
Would you, could you, in the dark?
Would you, could you,
in the rain?
Could you, would you,
with a goat? Er, forget that.
Would you? Could you?
in a car?
Eat them! Eat them!
Here they are!
I’m a big fan of ScottEVest “Travel Boxers 2.0″, with not one, but *two* pockets in them, and a button to close the fly for those modest times, and dry-fast fabric to wash in the sink while you’re on the road a lot (like me).
I love men’s boxers (for me) for sleeping.
I have a stack of 2(x)its brand, size small, plain white. So soft. They’re perfect with a long sleeved white tee shirt (I have a stack of those too, from places I’ve traveled).
The perfect jammies.
Now my boxer briefs are feeling a bit more snug.
Way to be a creep, dude. How can you think for just one second this is appropriate behavior?