If you are a fan of Seinfield, you may remember that episode where Kramer goes into full panic mode when he’s told that his briefs might cause a low sperm count. He actually gets tested and it turns out his sperm count is actually low. 

That may be fiction, but it’s true that your choice of underwear can affect your fertility as a man. If you are planning to start a family or get another child in the near future, here’s what you need to know about underwear and male fertility. 

Tight Underwear (and Clothing) Lowers Sperm Count

In one study, researchers tested the sperm count of 656 men. They found that men who regularly wore boxers had 25% higher sperm concentration and 17% higher sperm count compared to those who wore other types of underwear such as briefs and jockeys. 

Not only that, the sperm of the boxer wearers was more motile, meaning they were better swimmers and thus were more likely to fertilize an egg.  

We have to mention that the science is not fully conclusive on how much tight underwear affects fertility. It could cause a drop in sperm count, but not enough to threaten your fertility. We still don't know yet. 

But if you are planning to conceive or you already have a low sperm count, you don't want to take any risk. 

Sperm Production is Sensitive to Temperature 

The main reason to be concerned about the kind of underwear you wear is temperature. Scrotal temperature needs to be a few degrees lower than body temperature for sperm to be produced. That’s why men have testes hanging outside the body. 

Tight underwear does two things. One, it reduces airflow over the skin. So there is more heat trapped around the scrotum, which raises temperature. 

Two, overly tight underwear holds the testes closer to the body for prolonged periods. This brings scrotal temperature closer to body temperature, which is not ideal for sperm.  

If the tight underwear is also made from a non-breathable fabric, it can further cause things to heat up down there and that could be bad for your baby making factory. 

It’s not just tight underwear that could be a threat to male fertility. Tight clothing is a problem, too. It doesn’t matter if you wear loose boxers. If you have a pair of tight fitting pants on, you are still trapping heat around your boys. 

Best Underwear for Sperm Count

Boxers vs. Briefs

In the boxers vs. briefs debate, obviously boxers win when it comes to keeping your balls cool. They are looser, so they allow more air flow. 

But some experts say it’s not a matter of picking boxers or briefs. You can wear any of them, as long as they are not too tight. You shouldn’t feel any discomfort, no matter what kind of underwear you are wearing. 

That said, if you are already struggling with low sperm count, we recommend sticking to boxers as they provide the best cooling. 

Breathable Underwear

Whether you pick boxers or briefs, make sure they are breathable. Breathable underwear reduces the amount of heat trapped on your skin, helping keep your scrotal temperature at the optimal level. 

Wearing breathable underwear is especially important if you spend a lot of time seated (seating traps more heat), when doing anything active like sports or hiking, and during hot weather. 

The Kribi Sport boxer briefs from Hercleon are perfect for men who want to protect their fertility. They are snug but not tight. And with their highly breathable and moisture-wicking material, they keep you cool and dry all the time. Oh, they are also anti-odor. 

Loose Clothing

Don't undo all that good work switching to looser and more breathable underwear by wearing tight pants over them. 

If your pants are squishing your balls, they are too tight. Wear close or loose fitting pants most of the time. And when you are lounging at home, go even looser with baggy sweats or a pair of lightweight shorts. 

Other Causes of Low Sperm Count

Tight underwear is likely bad for sperm count, but there are worse ways to heat up your scrotum and kill your sperm. 

The most common is spending too much time in hot tubs, jacuzzis and saunas. An occasional dip is okay. But if you are dunking your body in a hot tub several times a week, it will cause a significant drop in sperm count and quality. 

As we covered in another article, using your laptop on your lap for prolonged periods is also a hazard to your fertility. 

Keep in mind that it can take weeks to reverse damage caused by heat exposure, whether it’s from wearing jockeys or using a hot tub everyday. So if you are planning to conceive soon, the sooner you take corrective measures, the better your chances of a successful pregnancy.