Polyester Underwear Proven To Work As A Contraceptive In Men, According To A Study
A 1992 study found that men who wore a polyester sling suffered from smaller testicles and fewer sperm cells in their semen. Even more interesting, these side effects disappeared as soon as they stopped used the polyester sling.
Our modern society constantly bombards us with endocrine disruptors, which significantly alter the functioning of the endocrine system and subsequently impact fertility in both men and women. One of the most common endocrine disruptors is Bisphenol A (BPA), found in numerous consumer products like plastic water bottles and food containers. Research suggests that exposure to BPA can decrease sperm quality in men and contribute to egg quality deterioration and implantation failure in women.
Another critical endocrine disruptor is phthalates, a component of many cosmetics, food packaging materials, and children's toys. Studies have linked phthalate exposure to decreased semen quality, altered reproductive hormones in men, and reproductive dysfunction in women. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are also noteworthy, often linked to pesticides and industrial chemicals. These pollutants persist in the environment and accumulate over time, causing significant disruptions in hormonal balance, impairing spermatogenesis in males and possibly leading to premature ovarian insufficiency in females.
Parabens, commonly used preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, have been linked to diminished fertility. They can mimic estrogen in the body, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances.
Given the pervasive nature of endocrine disruptors, it is difficult to eliminate exposure completely. However, there are some endocrine disruptors that sneak up from behind us that we don't see coming—like polyester underwear for men. A study from 1992 showed that the use of a polyester sling had detrimental effects on a man's sperm count, which served as a successful contraceptive.
Polyester Underwear Proven to Work as a Contraceptive in Men, According to a Study
The potential fertility implications of men's underwear have long been a topic of discussion. Research indicates that a polyester sling or suspensor worn around the scrotum may induce azoospermia — a condition characterized by the absence of sperm in semen — effectively serving as a form of contraception.
Over the course of 12 months, a team of researchers from the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University in Egypt examined 14 male volunteers, aged between 32 and 47 years, who wore a polyester scrotal sling both day and night. The study sought to investigate whether polyester fabrics could influence male fertility.
Participants only changed the sling when it became dirty, and no complications or adverse reactions were reported. All female partners took an oral contraceptive until the men were confirmed as azoospermic, based on three consecutive sperm samples. Interestingly, azoospermia occurred in all participants between 120 to 160 days (with a mean of 139.6 days) after the initial wearing of the polyester sling.
One intriguing discovery was that none of the partners became pregnant during the study. However, all five couples who wished to conceive after the study did so successfully. Out of these, four had normal live births, and one experienced a miscarriage. It's worth noting that the participants' testicular volume decreased significantly from 22.2 to 18.6 sd ml during the 12 months (p.05). However, it returned to pretest levels 75-135 days after removal of the sling.
Furthermore, the mean rectal-testicular temperature difference was lower three months after wearing the sling compared to the pre-wearing phase (1.3-3 degrees Celsius). This difference normalized three months after the sling was removed.
One key aspect of the study was examining the electrostatic potentials generated by friction between the polyester suspensor and the scrotal skin. During the day, the polyester sling generated greater electrostatic potentials (326-395 volt/sq. cm) than at night (142-188 volt/sq. cm; p.01).
Remarkably, even six months after the removal of the sling, the germ cells of the seminiferous tubules still exhibited degenerative changes. However, sperm concentration levels returned to pretest levels (40 million/ml) within 140-170 days after sling removal. The azoospermic effect of the polyester sling can be attributed to two primary mechanisms: the creation of an electrostatic field across the intrascrotal structures and the disruption of normal thermoregulation.
In conclusion, the research indicates that wearing a polyester scrotal sling can effectively induce azoospermia in fertile men. With no significant side effects and full reversibility of the contraceptive effect after removal, the polyester sling emerges as a safe, acceptable, inexpensive, and unique method of contraception in men. However, it is crucial to conduct further research on a larger scale before endorsing this approach as a widely acceptable contraceptive method.
This is extremely important information for couples who are trying to conceive, or even just men who want to preserve the health of their genitals. Producing a healthy amount of sperm cells serves more purposes than just reproducing. It's necessary for daily function, hormonal health, etc. If your boyfriend or husband wears polyester underwear regularly, it may be time to suggest another option.