Supporting Penis Health: A Men’s Underwear Guide

In clever surveys buried in women’s magazines, girls are prompted to ask their male counterparts if they wear boxers or briefs. It’s posed as an either/or question, and while that might make for a tantalizing survey, the truth is that most men have many different styles of underwear, including boxers, briefs, boxer briefs and jock straps. Choosing the right kind of underwear for the right occasion could help men to avoid some common penis health problems.

Dressing for Parenthood

Studies suggest that men who are hoping to conceive a child in the near future should wear boxer shorts most, if not all, of the time. Standard briefs or boxer briefs can cause the testicles to heat up, lowering sperm motility. Form-fitting underwear can also keep the penis from moving freely, and this could hinder erection strength. Boxers come in a variety of colorful patterns, and the silky texture of some boxers could provide some men with an added thrill throughout the day. Boxers can, however, bunch up when they’re worn underneath rough, wool pants. Men who wear boxers might need to be careful with their slacks selection to ensure that they don’t develop a lumpy, bumpy appearance.

Dressing for the Office

Boxer briefs are widely considered ideal fare for office life. They stay smooth and in place, keeping the profile pleasant throughout the day, and they provide protection and support for men who spend at least part of the day walking from cubicle to cubicle. Boxer briefs can also be quite stylish, providing men with a bit of confidence that they need to get through a stressful workday with ease.

Dressing for Sports

Physical activities like running, swimming and biking can quickly become painful if men wear underwear that doesn’t provide adequate support. Chafing injuries can occur when the tip of the penis rubs on rough fabrics or hems that hold fabrics together, and bouncing parts can leave men feeling sore and stretched at the end of an exercise session.

For sports that involve repeated movements, briefs are a must. They provide adequate support, and the structure of the garments ensures that there are no rough spots for rubbing. One word of caution: Briefs worn during exercise should wick moisture away from the body, keeping skin warm and dry. Cotton briefs can’t handle this task at all. Even cotton blends should be avoided.

Sports that involve the merest suggestion of physical contact require the use of jockstraps with cups. These sports include:

• Soccer
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Football
• Fencing

The plastic surface of the cup can keep a minor tap from becoming a serious injury, and can allow a man to perform well in the sport without feeling consistently fearful that a hit is coming.

Taking Care

Even when a man plans his wardrobe with care, there can be times when the unexpected takes place. The boss might ask the guys to play a quick game of horse, for example, or a quick bike ride to a friend’s house can turn into a 15-mile pleasure trek through the countryside. When this happens, it’s not uncommon for men to come home feeling sore and uncomfortable. Changing clothes and taking a quick scrub in the shower is a great first step. Sticky sweat can be washed away, and sore skin can be soothed when it is exposed to the air once more. When these steps aren’t enough, a penis health crème might also be helpful (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). The soothing emollients can help chafed, red and sore skin, and in time, the crème can also help men to develop skin that is more soft, supple and able to resist minor cuts and scrapes due to ill-fitting clothing.

Supporting Penis Health: A Men’s Underwear Guide by John Dugan