Underwear…To Wear, or Not To Wear
When it comes to maintaining a healthy prostate, does it matter if you wear boxers or briefs, or no underwear at all?
It is estimated that 5-7% of men, do not wear underwear. Many do this because they think it’s more comfortable, but is it also better for your prostate health?
Not necessarily, but there is some research to show that tight-fitting underwear could have adverse effects.
In 2018, the medical journal, Human Reproduction, published the results of a study on the impact that tight underwear has on male fertility. Though more research on the topic is needed, researchers found that there was a 25% higher sperm concentration in men who were boxer briefs, as opposed to men that wore tighter-fitting underwear. Scientists believe this is due to the fact that tight underwear increases the temperature of the scrotum, which affects the body’s production of sperm.
Though there is some evidence to suggest that tight underwear can affect sperm count, there is also evidence to suggest that going without underwear, or “going commando” as it’s often called, could have its own issues as well.
These issues can range from hygienic issues due to easy exposure to bacteria, chafing from being without a layer of added protection, and a higher risk of injury without the barrier of some type of underwear. However, most experts agree, that it all comes down to personal preference.
Will tighter underwear or boxer briefs cause prostate issues?
Not necessarily. But anything that restricts blood flow to your groin area can be potentially problematic. So the better choice overall is wearing slightly looser-fitting cotton boxers or boxer briefs. This is especially true when experiencing the effects of an enlarged prostate, be it something that’s just a normal product of aging, or something that needs to be treated.
