Boxers vs Briefs...what's the verdict?

There are several factors that can lead to male infertility. Among these are environmental factors, such as, poor diet, lack of sleep, high stress levels, and... heat. 

In order for the testes to produce enough healthy sperm, the temperature of the testicles must be between 3.5 to 7 degrees lower than the rest of the body. 

So, which underwear is better for your fertility? 

Boxers 

If you’re a boxer's guy, this is great news! Boxers allow for more air flow to your testes which in turn means they are more likely to be kept cool. "Testes were made to be out in the breeze," says Celia E. Dominguez, reproductive endocrinologist, at the Center for Reproductive Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine. Now, if you decide  to start wearing boxers instead of briefs, bear in mind that it takes “10 to 11 weeks for sperm to be produced – so plan accordingly,” says Amos Grunebaum, MD, director of clinical maternal-fetal medicine at the New York Hospital-Cornell Weill Medical College. So, what we're saying is that changing into your boxer shorts once a week on date night, probably isn't enough... 

Briefs 

The testes can overheat when a man wears briefs because of the tighter fit of the underwear. If the testes become too hot they will not be able to produce enough sperm which can result in low sperm count and hinder your chances of conception. However, briefs can be more comfortable for some guys, which is totally understandable! For example, if you’re going to the gym to do a high intensity workout that involves a lot of movement, you may want a more secure fit, which wearing briefs certainly achieves. So, if you don’t want to switch over to boxers completely, why not try a ‘cooling underwear,’ such as Snowballs Underwear. Snowballs underwear is the scientifically backed underwear designed to keep your testes cool. So, guys who hate boxers, why not give them a go! The boxer brief fit will keep you feeling secure whilst cooling your testes and lowering your scrotal temperature, which, in turn, can improve your chances of conception. 

Also bear in mind that many of your daily activities can contribute to raising scrotal temperature without you even realising it. These are things like using a car seat warmer or having your laptop on your lap, which are easy to miss. 

But, don’t worry guys!  

We’ve done the research and compiled a list for you.  

Check out our article to find out more: Male Fertility and Heat