The key facts
- The study covered 26,836 men; the results were published in the Asian Journal of Andrology
- Fans of tight underwear had an 18% higher risk of reduced ejaculate volume, and sperm DNA fragmentation was roughly twice as high
- Erectile dysfunction was noted in 62.7% versus 57.8%, and premature ejaculation in 30.8% versus 23.2%
What data from nearly 27,000 men showed
Wearing tight underwear may be linked to poorer sperm quality and impaired sexual function in men. Chinese scientists came to this conclusion after studying data from nearly 27,000 people; the results were published in the journal Asian Journal of Andrology. This was reported by Life.ru.
Who was examined and what was found
Specialists examined 26,836 men who had sought an assessment of their reproductive health; the average age of participants was about 30. Of these, 21,221 preferred loose boxer shorts, while 5,615 regularly wore tight styles. Among fans of tight underwear, the likelihood of detecting reduced ejaculate volume was 18% higher; they more often showed impairments in sperm motility and morphology, and the probability of elevated sperm DNA fragmentation was roughly twice as high as among those who wore loose underwear.
Differences in sexual health
The researchers also recorded differences in sexual health: signs of erectile dysfunction were noted in 62.7% of men in the tight-underwear group versus 57.8% in the other group, and premature ejaculation in 30.8% versus 23.2%, respectively.
A possible cause — overheating
One possible cause, the scientists say, is overheating of the testicles: normal sperm production requires a temperature roughly two to three degrees below body temperature, and tight underwear can impair heat exchange and create unfavorable conditions for the maturation of germ cells. A similar mechanism was previously described by Life.ru in an article about working with a laptop on one's lap: urologist-andrologist Timur Bitsoev warned that prolonged exposure to heat from the device can temporarily impair sperm production, and that the danger comes not from the gadget's radiation but from the heating of the testicles, which is intensified by a posture with the thighs pressed together. The doctor advised men, especially those planning fatherhood, to place the laptop on a table or a special stand.
