Polyester as Male Contraceptive?

Did you know that polyester underwear can have a contraceptive effect on men?


Yes, it's true! A
study conducted by the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University in Egypt back in 1986 found that a polyester sling worn on the scrotum in 14 men led to azoospermia (no living sperm in their semen).

The men wore the sling continuously for a year, and the results showed that after a mean of 139.6 days, all of them became azoospermic. Not only that, but there was also a decrease in testicular volume and rectal-testicular temperature difference, along with degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules.

The reason for this contraceptive effect? The polyester sling generated electrostatic potentials due to friction between the sling and the scrotal skin, which were greater during the day than at night. This created an electrostatic field across the intrascrotal structures, leading to disordered thermoregulation.

But don't worry, the study also showed that once the men stopped wearing the sling, their sperm concentration returned to pre-test levels within a mean period of 156.6 days. Testicular volume and rectal-testicular temperature difference were also normalized.

So, if you're looking for a way to avoid the polyester contraceptive effect, perhaps it's best to stay away from polyester underwear. We recommend sticking to more enabling fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp to keep your reproductive health in check. Don't take risks with your fertility - choose underwear that's safe and comfortable!

Shafik A. Contraceptive efficacy of polyester-induced azoospermia in normal men. Contraception. 1992 May;45(5):439-51. doi: 10.1016/0010-7824(92)90157-o. PMID: 1623716.