Pregnancy & Baby Index: Trying to Conceive - TTC: Boxers or briefs - does it make a difference?
Boxers or briefs - does it make a difference?
Wanda Steele, RNC
Does the type of underwear your partner wears have any real bearing on
whether or not you will be able to achieve pregnancy? Obstetrical
Nurse Wanda F Steele has some information.
Your question
We have been trying to conceive for seven months now and no luck. My
husband asked if it could it be due to the fact that he wears briefs.
Does this really matter? - Lyn
The expert answers
Hi, Lyn -
I know seven months may seem like a long time but when you are talking
about infertility problems, but I'm afraid it isn't. Most doctors
recommend that you start checking for a problem if you have not become
pregnant after a year of "trying." When you consider everything that
has to occur in the proper order at the proper time, etc., it is
amazing that any eggs get fertilized!
I know that not getting pregnant when you want to be is not a
laughing matter, so let's talk about your husband's underwear. It has
been shown that men who wear briefs may have a possibility of a lower
sperm count than men who wear boxers. The scrotums and testicles of
men who wear briefs are at or are near body temperature, and they can
produce a few less sperm. The reason for this is that the scrotum, by
design, was made to hang down and not be up against the body, thereby
keeping the testicles at a lower temperature than the rest of the
body. Boxers allow the scrotum and testicles to be in the proper
anatomical position for optimum sperm production.
I am certainly not advocating the use of any one style of men's
underwear. After a proper sperm count is done on your husband and you
have been thoroughly checked out, then the matter may be worthy of
further consideration.
Good luck,
Wanda :)