Thinking about fatherhood? Take a good look at your underpants. The style of underpants, that is.

Let it All Hang Out?

A new study published in medical journal Human Reproduction has found that the old tighty whities (tight-fitting y-fronts) can put a serious damper on your chances of conceiving.

The solution? Switch to boxers!

As sexy as Y-Fronts are…

To produce healthy sperm, testicles need to be a couple of degrees cooler than standard body temperature, which is why they hang below the body. Tight Y-fronts or similar underwear prevent this action.

Other factors the study of 2250 men found to be associated with lower fertility included:

• having a manual labour job
• having had testicular surgery
• having had no previous history of conception

Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol… No Problem?

Surprisingly though, despite common recommendations, there was no link between poor sperm health and alcohol, smoking, drugs, or obesity.

Or as Andrology Professor Dr Allen Pacey, one of the academics involved in the study, pithily put it:

“There’s no need for men to become monks just because they want to be dads.”

The study author cautioned however that despite these findings however, it’s still pretty clear that excessive alcohol, drugs, and obesity are generally not good for your health!

What do you think though? Can your underwear choice really make a big impact on your reproductive health?

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About the author

Jamie
Jamie Robertson is a Psych Major Bachelor of Arts grad who blogs regularly on men’s health and personal relationships at www.midliferocksblog.com and www.herbalignite.com.au/blog.html Fascinated with psychology and human nature, he talks daily with men of all walks of life about general and sexual health issues and needs, and is enthusiastic about helping people live life to the fullest regardless of age. His motto: forsake your health for wealth, and all that wealth will end up being spent on your health anyway.