RCTHumann = 502005
Influence of the type of undertrousers and physical activity on scrotal temperature.
Plain-language summary
This study set out to see how different types of underwear and physical activity affect scrotal temperature, which in turn affects testicular temperature. Fifty healthy men with normal fertility had their scrotal temperature measured every minute while they alternated between sitting and walking on a treadmill, wearing either tight, loose, or no underwear in a randomized order. The study found that tight underwear led to higher scrotal temperatures than loose or no underwear, and walking kept temperatures lower than sitting. It also noted that the right side of the scrotum tended to be cooler than the left.
Key findings
- Tight underwear led to higher scrotal temperatures than loose or no underwear.
- Walking kept scrotal temperatures lower than sitting.
- The right side of the scrotum was cooler than the left.
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- Every man did all six conditions himself in a randomized order, so each man is his own comparison and differences between people cannot explain the result.
- Population
- Healthy men with normal fertility, no history of infertility.
- Funding
- Not reported
- Takeaway
- This study found that tight underwear raises scrotal temperature more than loose or none, and walking keeps it cooler than sitting. If you are trying to conceive, it may be worth choosing loose underwear and staying active to keep your testicles cool.