Does Underwear Affect Sperm Counts?

[@robertfindley921]

I am an avid cyclist. I used to occasionally get temporary numbness. Then I switch to a male ergonomic seat, one with a groove down the center. It hasn't happened since. They make a female seat too.

[@mojrimibnharb4584]

Horsemen understood this centuries ago. Look up the cavalry saddle and its antecedents.

[@FerralVideo]

As a fellow avid cyclist, I'll be looking to upgrade my seats too. Upvote for you.

[@Chris24415]

Good to know

[@AudraK]

I feel like someone on SciShow is trying to have kids, ended up in a rabbit hole, then this video was born

[@skybeast2738]

Summary: Heat is bad for sperm 1. Lubricants damage sperm: TRUE 2. Frequency of ejaculation matters: MIXED 3. Boxers vs Briefs matters: FALSE (

[@acasccseea4434]

Obesity: TRUE if only that made a difference to people's life choices

[@mickleman52]

Polyester pants? Like as in it reduces sperm count or reduces the effectiveness to find a mate?

[@ally8036]

@@mickleman52please refer to 11:54 of the video

[@mickleman52]

@@ally8036 whoosh, it was a joke.

[@MisterCynic18]

​@@acasccseea4434 I'm sure there will be one guy out there motivated to go to the gym cause of this video

[@kathleenwoods8416]

Okay, but the idea of "Polyester Scrotal Slings" actually being everyday men's birth control is very interesting.

[@wernerhiemer406]

Sling as like a chasity? schli schla schlo Some characters were ommited.

[@jursamaj]

I don't see men's birth control ever being a major item. That expects women, who are the ones who carry all the burden of pregnancy, to rely on men to take care of preventing it.

[@seeranos]

Agreed, I'm over here taking notes on all these nifty ways to fry my little guys just right to temporarily no longer risk getting anyone pregnanananat.

[@joaovictorlima3992]

I'd be down for that

[@nerdlingeeksly5192]

I'm genuinely going to start recommending it

[@justinminer1354]

Cycling cratered my sperm count. That and the vasectomy. I don't know if I'll ever make a baby now.

[@daizdamien1409]

Damn what 💀

[@justinminer1354]

​​@@daizdamien1409 Ikr and this "doctor" keeps telling me that inability to conceive can't be called a "legitimate side effect" 🙄

[@Mr.Anders0n_]

I blame the cycling. I'm sure if you switch to a big pickup truck your sperm count will shoot through the roof again! If you can afford it, the Cybertruck is a guaranteed result

[@andreyrumming6842]

Had me in the first half, ngl

[@ekinzorel3836]

I am going to go out on a limb and say although alcohol might be bad for your cummies, it has definitely led to more pregnancies

[@andyanderson2143]

Thats wisdom, right there.

[@wzdew]

I've followed all of this advice, even going without lube, but no matter how hard I try, my boyfriend never gets pregnant. D:

[@captainahab5522]

Keep trying it’ll happen eventually

[@Mr.Anders0n_]

Has he considered converting into a woman?

[@EmyN]

You got this, have faith

[@GeoffCostanza]

Whoosh

[@wildfallz]

Good luck!

[@The_Vishleshan]

ok from today we aren't wearing ANYYTHING

[@happyvirus6590]

I am promoting you to the rank of commando.

[@The_Vishleshan]

@happyvirus6590 😅😅🤣🤣 I gracefully accept it.

[@raphaelgarcia9576]

Kilts are fine

[@shieldgenerator7]

nudists unite!

[@andyanderson2143]

The beginning of a "Free the Nards for Fertility" movement??

[@bogonet]

"And now for a note from our sponsor..." I was totally expecting a segment on SciShow Rocks. #opportunitymissed

[@austinkissling9036]

What if at work im welding in a 120 degree environment. Was that a genocide on my swimmers? Lol

[@SB-hy9iq]

Nuclear Armageddon lol

[@andyanderson2143]

I feel like being The Manliest of Men should really spike their motivation. +10% buff to Charisma +20% buff to Strength +20% buff to Constitution -10% debuff to Wisdom +0% to Intelligence +20% to Dexterity 😉

[@simonederobert1612]

A very productive and informative video. Also: The funniest video I have witnessed on Sci Show. Also: The best written script I have ever heard about reproduction in the avoidance of actually referring to the act itself and its associated terminology. Congratulations!

[@BrandanLee]

Look I have two kids, so I'm about to become a world class cyclist in 6 pairs of skivvies.

[@Mr.Anders0n_]

I think it's easier to become work-from-home developer. Just make sure to use a gaming laptop. Long after-work gaming sessions also act as a birth control method

[@seeranos]

With a polyester Borat swimsuit

[@andyanderson2143]

Dont forget to gain a few pounds, have a couple beers, and use copious quantities of 3 different brands of lube!

[@tsommers1]

I treat male infertility for a living. The biggest two things I see in my practice with sperm counts? Testosterone use (especially unreported) which causes the brain to stop sending the hormonal signals to the testicles to produce sperm. This can cause permanent atrophy of the testicles. The second is marijuana use. It decreases count and causes problems with the shape (morphology) but the largest effect I see is poor motility. The sperm just lay around. (seriously)

[@lesecksybrian]

The sperm just high out of their mind, chillin n vibin 😂😭

[@AudraK]

I read “I treat male infertility for the living” multiple times. I was so confused and worried. Like why would we need to treat the dead. Lord

[@PIOQWERTY]

3:40 "1 degree doesn't matter" 4:55 "1 degree matters

[@cindersenpai3898]

Okay, they studied boxers vs briefs. But what about panties?

[@realdreamerschangetheworld7470]

Lol

[@mojrimibnharb4584]

That's just extra tight whities.

[@Seth9809]

Isn't the latter just briefs?

[@WrottJackson]

Now that would just be strange. But I guess it would make them more breathable.

[@gonzotown9438]

Aren't panties just thinner briefs? As long as they aren't too tight, I don't think it'd make a difference.

[@TheGiggleMasterP]

Yes. With the underwear on the sperm get blocked and the count is 0.

[@realdreamerschangetheworld7470]

Bro is really the giggle master

[@Akamatsu_kei]

Okay guys, hear me out: To raise fertility, men should wear skirts.

[@matthewcox7985]

Maybe the Scots are on to something? Those woolen kilts can get quite warm, but their latitude does get cold...

[@thearbiterofnoodles]

As someone who is both single and has no intention of having children this video is very helpful Did I still watch the whole video,you bet I did

[@JohnSmith-fo5cx]

Your genetic code isn't worth propagating?

[@O-OO1-O]

@JohnSmith-fo5cx Perhaps propagation isn't as important to others, regardless of genetics.

[@JohnSmith-fo5cx]

@@O-OO1-O weak genetics dont get spread i guess.

[@RobertSaxy]

The main take away for me was if your trying to not have kids (currently or forever) wearing Polyester sling might be helpful

[@lutilda]

They made dogs wear underwear for 2 years?! 😂😂

[@WrottJackson]

The sacrifices we make for science…

[@MrEmoImo]

I wonder if there is a study if cats on laps affect count.

[@AlaskanWinters]

This is timely. My wife and I just started trying for kids this week.

[@mojrimibnharb4584]

Stop wearing jeans.

[@ComradeMercy]

Good luck! I hope everything goes well for you guys!

[@LimeDude9999]

Keep at it! Practice makes perfect 👍

[@MrGksarathy]

Best of luck, man.

[@LeinadiusTheHero]

Remember, it's not a race. Wife keeps telling me just because I'm first doesn't mean I win.

[@FreerunnerDave]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets a numb wand after riding a bike. I have an exercise bike that I used to use regularly, having to have about 5 minutes rest every 10 minutes or so to try and avoid going numb. But it would only last a couple minutes. I couldn't imagine having it last for months. Those poor dudes.

[@gonzotown9438]

I imagine impotence can have a bit of a runaway effect. Like it starts physical, but that causes emotional issues that can linger once the physical issues have cleared.

[@daniel_rossy_explica]

I found that not eyaculating in a month or so (I can be VERY busy, and single) makes my sperm grumier, while more frequent eyaculations liquify the thing. Also, summer and winter do make a difference.

[@Mr.Anders0n_]

The sacrifices men make for science!

[@andyanderson2143]

💀

[@rata5177]

So wait, does wearing polyester in general cause problems or is it just wearing polyester underwear that is bad?

[@shieldgenerator7]

good question, i think its just in proximity to your scrotum

[@nikkiewhite476]

Just the underwear.

[@greghawkins59]

I'm sorry it appears you forgot to include actual images of the pant wearing dogs

[@AaronGeo]

I though it said "Does underwater" as being underwater lol

[@Splizacular]

mmhmm you even typed it 😂 i read it that way too first time i saw it and felt bad for scuba divers

[@IrvingIV]

glad to know i'm notthe only one

[@TnJxss]

Early dyslexia.

[@Akamatsu_kei]

Mmmm well I mean, water helps cooling down so...

[@twisted202]

No matter what you say, the biggest risk to fertility is unregulated post-capitalism.

[@austinsloop9774]

Hanging disco ball is a legend tier thumbnail

[@AliHSyed]

Now it’s a bike seat 🤔

[@realdreamerschangetheworld7470]

@@AliHSyed KZbin AB Thumbnail testing. No disco ball for us 😢

[@Bern_il_Cinq]

Disco ball: 100% fertility risk

[@dialga4688]

I wish I had the disco ball thumbnail.

[@LightBlueVans]

yeah that was definitely the better thumbnail. bring it back! 🪩 🪩

[@tarmaque]

Diabetes is also correlated with low fertility rates as well as impotence. I presume this extends to so-called "pre-diabetic conditions." Take that for what you will.

[@justayoutuber1906]

So the drop in the baby boom was due to polyester pants in the 70s?

[@HealthAndLife-365]

"So from now on, every time I choose underwear or decide how to sit, I’m not just protecting my style but also taking care of the little warriors! 🤣 Who would’ve thought that putting a laptop on your lap or picking the wrong fabric could impact the future of the world’s population like this? Science really makes you realize: fashion is important, but staying 'cool' is the ultimate truth! 😎 Thanks for this super interesting post-now I’ll avoid polyester like I avoid a crush who doesn’t like me back!" 😂🙌

[@anita4609]

12:24 Now I wonder if the bikers in the previous study were also wearing polyester pants while biking 😄

[@shotseven]

Wouldn’t surprise me if they were wearing polyester, it’s not an uncommon material for cycling shorts and the likes.

[@anita4609]

@shotseven yeah exactly 😄

[@Epicmonk117]

Two questions: 1. What was the one lube that was found to not negatively impact sperm? 2. Are any of these permanent?

[@Mr.Anders0n_]

It's a lube! The effect is gone once the lube is gone. It's a mechanical process. If getting a baby is a priority and going lubeless isn't possible, consider taking one for team by reaching the finish line with "external stimulation" and then finishing inside

[@PauloProelo]

„I would quit” bro that killed me XD

[@jordanbloomfield]

Definitely thought that thumbnail was a robot hand holding a spicy chilly pepper 🌶️ at first glance, like a metaphor for ‘hot’ areas

[@DrDjones]

A big reason why fertility rates have plummeted is largely due to the precipitatious drop in teenage pregnancy.

[@McHaven07]

"average scrotal temperature"

[@frankowsianik168]

No one can ever be too sure unless you want to count them one by one.

[@gradientcube]

1 2 3 4 7 sperm

[@inigobaudoin1873]

good video(i dont use underwear)

[@JoeyP946]

lol I don't know how. If I do that you literally can watch my thing move around as I walk or move xd

[@isaacbrown4506]

I don't either, I just wear things like jeans in public, so it's not as noticeable. Personally, I really don't care if anyone does notice 🤷‍♂️ ain't no shame in my game.

[@JoeyP946]

@ If people can see your thing move around trough your pants it's still indecent exposure.

[@Potatobrains_]

I've tried commando, I hate it.

[@goodkill1]

👍 free ballin gang

[@sielthesnail5628]

This made it seem like more effort goes into research for men's fertility than any ailment of women. But my view could be biased.

[@SamIAm-242]

Glad we solved the Dog Pants question! Yeah Science!

[@Daktangle]

Most lube isn't safe for sperm, but makes it much more enjoyable/hurt less. So that sucks.

[@mojrimibnharb4584]

Only if she doesn't like you.

[@yolanda6392]

@@mojrimibnharb4584Not completely true

[@Akamatsu_kei]

​@@mojrimibnharb4584or if she has a condition too, not everything is related to arousal. It's like saying that a man that couldn't get it up enough doesn't like you.

[@Blahblahblerf]

​@@mojrimibnharb4584 There are plenty of causes of vaginal dryness that have nothing to do with lack of arousal. Sure, it's probably the most common, but it's not the only one.

[@PredictableEnigma]

​​@@mojrimibnharb4584 As a woman, just going to say sometimes you can be really into it but just too dehydrated to produce much. Stress hormones can affect that too. It's not always the partner's fault. It could be, but I wouldn't assume.

[@zzz181085]

I literally visited an urologist today. At the same time this was posted. 🤯

[@joshlevas8076]

Actually polyester slings have shown to reduce swimmer count in studies. Polyester is commonly used in boxerbriefs, which is basically a large polyester sling. There might actually be more to this issue than what is described in this video. Kinda disappointed they didn’t take into account the material used and only the shape.

[@Chris24415]

“…Especially if your on public transit” 😂🤣 I love you guys

[@SquintyGears]

Ok but how many of these do you need to stack to match the effectiveness of the women's pill? If I sit in a heated car seat working on my laptop all day in polyester pants. How blank are the shots, and what's the distribution? Because all of these studies seem to imply all of these things are reversible within weeks of changing the habbits at the longest.

[@Alec_Reaper]

People trying to have kid watching this video. Meanwhile me watching this video to give my gf a big woohoo

[@NAccHands]

So polyester is bad, coincidentally most cyclist use tight polyester pants. Then again football players also use polyester shorts. SO do we avoid polyester or not?

[@davideverling753]

I imagine the effect is pretty negligible unless it's in direct contact with ones scrotum, in which case as long as you're not free-balling you should be alright

[@greenrobot5]

the polyester is bad in direct contact with the skin, usually football players wear cotton undergarments under the shorts

[@justayoutuber1906]

George Costanza says get rid of polyester uniforms

[@greenrobot5]

@ someone tell Mr Steinbrenner

[@astralb.2647]

Imagine going for a bike ride and becoming penis paralysed for 8 months... damn

[@Suprsim]

Why was "less than one degree" for underwear unimportant, but when it comes to the laptop issue where your own body makes the heat "just 1 degree hotter" is now the relevant marker? I feel like the type of underwear you wear could lead to the types of situations the laptop leads to.

[@silverwings920]

I think the idea is more that it's a degree increase in just a few minutes, but most people have their laptops in their lap for much longer than that at a time, which would lead to a significantly larger increase in temperature in total.

[@mojrimibnharb4584]

@@silverwings920 Right, but how long are guys wearing tighty whities?

[@rjgaynor8]

It’s it doesn’t make it just 1 degree hotter. It does so rapidly and can get much hotter. We saw a fertility specialist for our first child. The rest were all sort of accidents. The doctor gave me a good rule of thumb. If I get up with a sag then it got way too hot and I need to stop that behavior. We didn’t know my wife was actually pregnant sitting in that office, so kinda a wasted trip.

[@WrongParadox]

okay so they have done tests of effects of temperatures on male fertility ... so the next step would be to check if temperature effected female fertility might as well check other conditions - humidity, hydration, air quality (that might be a range of parameters), light exposure (duration, frequency, wavelength), air/other pressure/compression, sleep/fatigue (duration, cycles), pH (or equivalent), sound/sonic/vibration effects

[@SleepyCatten]

So glad that we don't need to worry about sperm count. Estradiol and progesterone stopped any worries there 🤭

[@shamiwhitcomb1243]

I'd like to know what the Dutch think about the cycling vs sperm quality and penis numbness

[@Mr.Anders0n_]

They ride comfortable city bikes to commute short distances, unlike roadies who stay on the saddle for hours

[@drill_fiend1097]

Getting bikefit goes just beyond gentials, as it can affect spines and hand nerves as well. Get it while you can.

[@andrewsomerville5772]

"I would quit" made me lol : )

[@Martial-Mat]

Well that's a personal question to ask me! I do declare!

[@paulkinzer7661]

Wait?! They had dogs wearing undies for TWO YEARS!?!

[@MrCarloshvieira2]

What about sauna? Frequent sauna going has even been suggested as a male contraceptive method!

[@1One2Three5Eight13]

Wait, as long as a WEEK? I remember getting the advice that every other day was the idea background frequency any time that wasn't around confirmed ovulation. (Every day around ovulation though, because that was less about maintaining sperm quality and more about getting as much in the system as possible.)

[@dialga4688]

Every other day is probably an average, as he said, some people could go twice a day and be fine.

[@1One2Three5Eight13]

@@dialga4688 Makes sense. You'd think they'd suggest every third day or something, just to have less pressure though! (Although when talking to childless twenty-somethings I guess the more frequent suggestion isn't as intimidating as it sounds now.)

[@swordmastersam483]

Dang, I gotta get me a polyester sling

[@antonykuo3809]

Fertility comes when you don't want it to, but does not when you want it to

[@trevorhaskell2976]

disappointed that only the shape of the underwear and not the material it’s made of was researched… the petroleum fibers, pesticides from conventionally grown cotton, and the chemicals in dyes are absolutely causing problems for people

[@livinginfictions]

Doesnt the polyester one affect the underwear one? Wouldnt that mean that your choice in underwear Does affect your sperm count, just in regards to fabric not shape?

[@user-fed-yum]

N O T I C E The world doesn't have enough people, that's why this matters so much

[@blkmskpvd]

What was the deal with other 13 y/o kids in the 90s making fun of me for drinking Mountain Dew and lowering my sperm count? Who was trying to be a dad at that age? I just wanted to stay up playing PlayStation all night.

[@PhailRaptor]

A lot of people, especially teenage boys, don't understand the difference between sperm and ejaculate

[@madhatter113]

As a childfree person, it's one thing less to worry about

[@lutilda]

My thought exactly! 😂

[@hoosierpioneer]

Yep

[@JohnSmith-fo5cx]

im so sorry for you

[@cindersenpai3898]

@@JohnSmith-fo5cx Sorry for them because they choose to not reproduce?

[@Daktangle]

"Child free" I like that.

[@DutchOrBelgian]

Thumbnail wins the internet.

[@aSpyIntheHaus]

I think a more important question is "Does sperm affect underwear?"

[@thebumpkin505]

Ok, but what's the metal T-shirt Hank is wearing?

[@rivers5320]

I was expecting someone to study wearing vs not wearing underwear

[@xpndblhero5170]

I've had issues since I was about 7 years old w/ enlarged veins in the area so I had overheating issues and the Dr's told me I should decrease the temperature to the area for long periods of time and I immediately said "No... I am not icing my balls." 😂 I did end up going from boxers to boxer briefs and that was a better option for airflow when riding BMX but it's not the same as endurance riding but injuries are way higher, especially if you miss the pedals and land on the top tube or seat in a bad way.... Still didn't stop me from having a son though. 😂

[@Mr.Anders0n_]

"life finds a way" 😌

[@mellissadalby1402]

Inconceivable! (Princess Bride reference)

[@lesecksybrian]

No one's gonna mention the Salted Caramel lube tube???

[@PenumbrasTDS]

jokes on you I haven’t wore underwear for 3 years

[@justayoutuber1906]

worn. Great, your pants are all nasty.

[@CIAagent12]

Honestly, idc. I don’t want babies! Win!

[@rager4able]

So no more polyester undies gotcha

[@haactgaming9687]

"Know your body!"

[@amazinggrapes3045]

what the HELL is a saddle chair? I saw the picture that popped up and I'm trying to figure out what part you sit on!

[@justayoutuber1906]

Your sit bones sit on it

[@joeruth123]

8:30 "I would quit!" Lol

[@shannonolivas9524]

But I wear polyester-spandex blend underwear... it's so comfy, it both supports AND stretches... noooooooo.

[@GeorgeP-uj8xc]

So polyester underwear is actually really really bad for your sperm. I thought all the ads on instagram were misinfo 💀

[@gilbertmccray522]

Just another reason to not wear polyester

[@alldeeplearning949]

Most useful video ever!

[@vincentmiller420]

Damn. Daily Mixed Drinks are fantastic though.

[@lenabreijer1311]

But they missed the whole organic versus pesticides issue. That organic farmers have better sperm counts the farmers that used herbicide and pesticides.

[@nikkiewhite476]

You have a link to that study? Do you know who funded it? Did the organic farmers list what organic approved pesticides they did use? Single study or multiple ones?

[@lenabreijer1311]

@nikkiewhite476 unfortunately this was in the 80s and 90s and only in paper format. Several long-distance moves and a fire stand between me and those documents.

[@Nmethyltransferase]

Why do you keep switching up your upload schedule, SciShow?

[@Tahoza]

I think Complexly in general is going through some troubles right now or are at least reorganizing/restructuring if I had to guess.

[@maromania7]

Probably just trying to see which has the most people ready. With today's algorithm the viewcount in the first few hours determines whether it'll even bother recommending to the people subscribed. Which is important given only half of people default to thier sub feed.

[@Tahoza]

@@maromania7 Where'd you get the half of people default to their sub feed stat? I mean that's what I do but I thought the vast majority of users used the home page instead.

[@briank8679]

Man if ever a video needed sound effects to go along with the graphics...

[@alllbw]

What about wearing underwear to bed? I sleep in the nude and have been taught that not using underwear to bed is better, but I wonder if there's any scientific evidence

[@aaronkortas8336]

I have felt penis numbness after riding a bike too long or playing Subway Surfers too long on the toilet

[@justayoutuber1906]

Its called Deadwood

[@jhudoraevil333]

Can you also do a video for women/eggs as well? Thank you!

[@sirensynapse5603]

No worries, I'm spayed anyway.

[@H8erfisternator]

13:00 I was wondering, case closed lol.

[@superkamehameha1744]

I love boxer shorts. They're loose and comfy, and easy to wear

[@selkiefluff]

I read underwear as underwater. Now I'm kinda disappointed 😂

[@francescoquadrio5824]

I think most people wear polyester underwear

[@justayoutuber1906]

polyester stinks. Literally. Natural fibers are better

[@Blahblahblerf]

I think it depends on where you live. I wear polyester or nylon underwear, but I have to order it from another country because it just doesn't exist where I live except for as kink-wear.

[@francescoquadrio5824]

@@Blahblahblerf Huh, didn't know that! I suppose here in Europe, the amount of people wearing underwear made at least partly of polyester surpasses the amount of people that know about its effects on male fertility. Good to know it's not like this everywhere

[@Tahoza]

Didn't you say the one-degree difference in temp is not meaningful for underwear but then is meaningful regarding sitting and laptop use?

[@mojrimibnharb4584]

🔔🔔🔔🔔

[@moonshot9056]

Someone just copied some articles and said job done.

[@Pingviinimursu]

I thought so too, but the specific wording for the underwear part was "less than one degree". To the guy above, maybe chill with the leaping to conclusions?

[@cameronwilsey9334]

It takes longer to increase one degree, not that it only increases one degree

[@Helveteshit]

When you support something on your lap, you are using the muscles and you are also applying point pressure in your thighs. Creating an increase in bloodflow around your groin area. Thereby creating Heat. If you ever fallen asleep with a laptop in your lap, you will know what I am talking about. You are essentially 'pinching' a nerve. Equivalent to cold sweating when you are sleeping. And in the underwear research, they were just comparing different type of underwear and there wasn't much difference between these options. Wearing pants in general is bad for the scrotum basically. If you want to shoot heavy fertile loads, ya need a coolin' pad on that scrotum.

[@Seth9809]

If underwear affected fertility, all the underwear leople wouldve been been bred out in 12,000.

[@thadsoule7129]

Videos on sperm counts and testicular temperatures are the jam on my peanut butter sandwich 🥪 Thank You Sci Show 😋 🥜🍓

[@zackpumpkinhead8882]

I can't believe my gigantic biker thighs could be so detrimental to my sperm count! What was I thinking???