What will happen if you wear tight underwear?

Wearing very tight underwear may cause poor local blood circulation, skin friction damage or discomfort to the reproductive system. Underwear that is too tight may compress the groin area, affecting the heat dissipation of male testicles or the breathability of female perineum. Long-term wearing may cause health problems.

Wearing underwear that is too tight will continue to compress the blood vessels and nerves in the groin, causing blood flow to the lower limbs to be blocked. Men may experience an increase in scrotal temperature, which affects the quality of sperm production, manifesting as a bloating or dull pain in the testicles. Women are prone to vulvar itching due to moisture and heat in the perineum, which increases the probability of fungal infection. The friction generated when cotton fabrics are too tight may cause groin skin redness, rashes, and even induce folliculitis.

Under special circumstances, patients with diabetes or varicose veins may aggravate their condition by wearing tight underwear. Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are unaware of compression and may ignore skin damage. The blood flow in the lower limbs of patients with varicose veins is already slow, and tight waistbands will further hinder venous return. Pregnant women wearing underwear that is too tight may affect the development space of the fetus, and obese people are more likely to develop skin-to-skin rash.

It is recommended to choose breathable materials such as pure cotton or modal, and the waistband should be able to insert a finger. You can choose special underwear with support function when exercising, but it should be loose and comfortable in daily life. If you experience persistent skin itching, pain in the genital area, or abnormal urination, you should change appropriate underwear in time and seek medical examination. You can choose not to wear underwear or wear loose boxer briefs when sleeping at night to help keep the perineum dry and clean.