New Delhi: When it comes to reproductive health, we’ve grown used to talking about diet, stress, and age. These are the usual suspects, and rightly so. But what if something as ordinary as your daily wardrobe could be quietly making a difference, too? For many men, especially those trying to conceive, this is a conversation worth having. Polyester, one of the most common fabrics found in everything from office trousers to gym wear, is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and easy on the wallet. But its comfort and convenience come at a secret worry. Polyester, specifically when used to make briefs or tight pants, could be damaging to sperm quality.
Dr Ankur Pandey, Fertility Specialist at Birla Fertility & IVF, Allahabad, explained the association between clothing and infertility in men.
Why? The reasons are heat and breathability. Polyester is a synthetic, non-breathing fabric. It traps heat and moisture, particularly when worn over extended periods, such as workdays spent sitting in offices or driving in unventilated clothing. With time, this excess heat can elevate scrotal temperature, interfering with sperm production and quality. For optimal sperm production, testicles must remain slightly cooler than the rest of the body. This is why they’re positioned naturally outside the abdominal cavity. This means that in men already facing borderline fertility parameters, this could make an already tough situation worse.
As far back as 1992, a Reproductive Toxicology study observed that males regularly wearing polyester underclothes had a significant decline in sperm count, probably because of static electricity production and heat buildup close to the testes. Subsequent research in reproductive health has uniformly concluded that elevated scrotal temperature, from clothing, hot tubs, or laptops, can have detrimental effects on fertility. And yet, this is a very underexplored discussion in India, where polyester pants are workwear normal, and men commonly spend hours sitting around indoors. Awareness of fertility is increasing, but awareness of fabrics has not caught up yet.
So, what is to be done?
The good news is that it can be as simple as a swap. Wearing breathable clothing such as cotton, particularly undergarments and nightwear, ensures more airflow and temperature regulation. Wearing loose clothing on top of tighter clothing also makes for a friendlier fertility environment. For those attempting to conceive, these small changes can complement other life changes such as weight management, smoking cessation, and periodic fertility check-ups. While more research is needed to understand the long-term impact of polyester on male reproductive health, it’s wise to be conservative. As we become increasingly aware of the impact our lifestyle has on reproductive health, it’s time to think on all fronts.
While more research is needed to understand the long-term impact of polyester on male reproductive health, it’s wise to be conservative. As we become increasingly aware of the impact our lifestyle has on reproductive health, it’s time to think on all fronts. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
