Health
Men’s underwear and fertility risks go viral as doctors push back on claims
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Men are swapping out their underwear over growing concerns about fertility and hormone health.
The movement has been happening online, as some men are attempting to swap out their polyester shorts and undergarments for cotton, wool and other organic materials.
They are avoiding synthetic fabrics over concerns about microplastics, “forever chemicals” and a potential link to infertility, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
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Recent studies have suggested that microplastics — most often found in the environment, air, water and food — can carry pollutants into the human organs and cause health complications, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular issues and cell damage.
As more organic underwear brands for men surface and grow in popularity, these concerns have also been fueled by conversations on social media and podcasts.
Fertility experts cast doubts on underwear material impacting fertility in men. (iStock)
Dr. Paul Turek, a reproductive urologist and microsurgeon in California, told the Journal that “microplastic conversations are constant now.”
Although he advises his patients to reduce plastic exposure, Turek said he has yet to see research to validate these concerns.
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Dr. Jaime Knopman, director of fertility preservation at CCRM Fertility New York and author of “Own Your Fertility,” told Fox News Digital that “theoretically,” wearing briefs can pose a fertility risk, but not just because of the material.
“While a change in underwear could help improve fertility, it is rarely the sole cause of infertility.”
“The tight fit can raise the temperature of a man’s testes, which could reduce sperm quality and quantity, causing a decline in fertility,” she said. “However, in my experience, I have not found a direct correlation between wearing briefs and a patient’s fertility.”
Knopman added that she hasn’t seen changes in patients who have switched underwear material or style.
A fertility specialist said she has not found a direct correlation between wearing certain briefs and a patient’s fertility. (iStock)
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Alex Robles of Columbia University Fertility Center in New York echoed that there is “no strong evidence that specific fabrics alone have a meaningful impact on male fertility.”
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“With that said, higher scrotal temperatures from any source (heat exposure, tight clothing, prolonged sitting or cycling) have been linked to reduced semen quality in some studies,” he said.
“Switching underwear alone rarely causes meaningful changes in fertility. However, some men may see small improvements in sperm quality if they move away from very tight styles that increase heat production and retention.”
Reducing risk
If a male patient has an abnormal semen analysis, Knopman said she always suggests making some lifestyle modifications to improve sperm health, including sleep, diet and exercise (in addition to seeing a urologist).
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“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. “Therefore, while a change in underwear could help improve fertility, it is rarely the sole cause of infertility.”
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Knopman emphasized that fertility is “not just a female problem,” and that modifications in lifestyle choices should apply to both 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,” she said. “While it may not be the reason for his sperm troubles, modifying his lifestyle can’t hurt.”
Experts suggest making positive lifestyle modifications to improve sperm health, including sleep, diet and exercise. (iStock)
“Just like I tell my female patients, you can’t blame yourself for your infertility,” she went on. “Most habits in life are totally fine as long as they are in moderation.”
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Robles advised men to choose comfortable, non-restrictive underwear, avoid excessive heat exposure, increase food variety, and reduce exposure to toxins, including smoking and excessive alcohol.
“The biggest drivers of male fertility decline are age, obesity, smoking, heat exposure, environmental toxins and underlying medical conditions,” he said. “If you are struggling with a fertility issue, I recommend seeing a fertility specialist.”
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Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.
The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.
CANCER SURVIVORS MAY SEE SURPRISING BENEFITS FROM ONE SPECIFIC EXERCISE, STUDY SAYS
The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances in cancer survivors. (iStock)
The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.
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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue, the study found.
The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga’s beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training. (iStock)
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug,” lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.
The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug.”
The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.
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“The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%),” noted Choi.
“We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities.”
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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).
The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted. (iStock)
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.
Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted.
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“Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions,” the researcher advised. “They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community.”
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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.
The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
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