Men’s Underwear and Fertility: Doctors Challenge Viral Claims

A growing number of men are turning to organic underwear materials amid fertility concerns, though experts remain skeptical about the direct impact on reproductive health.

Men across the country are increasingly swapping their synthetic underwear for natural alternatives like cotton and wool, driven by concerns about microplastics and potential fertility issues. This trend, highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal report, has gained momentum through social media discussions and podcast conversations focusing on men’s health.

Recent studies have suggested that microplastics—commonly found in the environment, air, water, and food—may carry pollutants into human organs, potentially causing various health complications including cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular issues, and cellular damage.

Dr. Paul Turek, a California-based reproductive urologist and microsurgeon, noted that conversations about microplastics have become “constant” among his patients. While he generally advises reducing plastic exposure, he acknowledged that research validating these specific concerns remains limited.

Fertility specialists have expressed skepticism about underwear material being a significant factor in male infertility. Dr. Jaime Knopman, director of fertility preservation at CCRM Fertility New York and author of “Own Your Fertility,” explained that while wearing tight briefs theoretically could pose a fertility risk, it’s not necessarily because of the material itself.

“The tight fit can raise the temperature of a man’s testes, which could reduce sperm quality and quantity, causing a decline in fertility,” Dr. Knopman told Fox News Digital. “However, in my experience, I have not found a direct correlation between wearing briefs and a patient’s fertility.”

Dr. Alex Robles of Columbia University Fertility Center echoed this sentiment, stating there is “no strong evidence that specific fabrics alone have a meaningful impact on male fertility.” He did note, however, that increased scrotal temperatures from various sources—including heat exposure, tight clothing, prolonged sitting, or cycling—have been linked to reduced semen quality in some studies.

“Switching underwear alone rarely causes meaningful changes in fertility,” Dr. Robles explained. “However, some men may see small improvements in sperm quality if they move away from very tight styles that increase heat production and retention.”

The medical consensus seems to be that while underwear choice might play a small role in reproductive health, it’s rarely the primary cause of infertility issues. Fertility specialists emphasize that other factors typically have much greater influence on male reproductive health.

When addressing patients with abnormal semen analyses, Dr. Knopman recommends a comprehensive approach to lifestyle modifications, including improvements in sleep, diet, and exercise patterns. “Throwing a change of underwear into the mix couldn’t hurt, but it’s nearly impossible to determine if a semen analysis is irregular because of a man’s underwear choices,” she said.

Experts stress that fertility should not be viewed solely as a female issue, and lifestyle modifications should apply equally to men and women. “If a male patient tells me he is riding a bike for two hours a day or spending an hour in a hot bath, I am going to tell him to cut that out,” Dr. Knopman said. “While it may not be the reason for his sperm troubles, modifying his lifestyle can’t hurt.”

Dr. Robles outlined several practical recommendations for men concerned about their fertility, including choosing comfortable, non-restrictive underwear, avoiding excessive heat exposure, increasing food variety, and reducing exposure to toxins such as tobacco and excessive alcohol.

“The biggest drivers of male fertility decline are age, obesity, smoking, heat exposure, environmental toxins and underlying medical conditions,” Dr. Robles emphasized. He recommends that men struggling with fertility issues consult a specialist rather than focusing solely on underwear material.

The trend toward organic underwear reflects a broader movement toward health consciousness among men, but medical experts caution against viewing any single lifestyle change as a magic bullet for fertility issues. As Dr. Knopman summarized, “Most habits in life are totally fine as long as they are in moderation.”