Photo by lunamarina – yayimages.comCompression tights seem to be all the rage in the US today. The latest clothing trend has been embraced by both men and women. From Reebok CrossFit compression tops to Spanx Power Panties shoes, people are fostering the trend of wearing clothes that squeeze, squish and sculpt their figure.
While the compression tights can help tone the figure, there are various potential health risks associated with the clothing that we will discuss in this article.
Infertility in Men
A scientific study conducted in the 1970s found that Swedish men had relatively higher infertility rates as compared to men in nearby European nations. The researchers came up with the ‘Swedish Tight Pants Theory’ that holds tight clothing directly responsible for lower sperm counts.
Men who wear tight clothes such as compression tights can damage their testicles. Doctors describe the heat produced in the scrotum when wearing tight pants as heat castration. The clothing overheats the testicles. This results in reduced quality of the sperm, eventually resulting in infertility.
Genital Infections
Another health risk associated with compression tights is genital infections. Compression clothing rubs against the skin. This disrupts the skin barrier that prevents infections, according to a dermatologist at the Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, Josh Zeichner, M.D.
In addition, tight pants restrict air access to the genitals. This results in increased heat and humidity, which creates the perfect environment for fungal, viral, and bacterial infections in the genital area.
Negative Affect on the Spine
Compression tights limit the mobility of the joints. They cause the joint capsules to stretch. This negatively affects a person’s spine. It can result in painful back pain that is hard to treat.
Compresses the Abdominal Area
Compression clothing tightens the abdominal area causing various health complications. The abdomen area contains vital organs. Pressure on the abdomen area creates problems such as reduced lymph flow to the pelvis and poor blood circulation. It can also push acid from the stomach into the esophagus resulting in gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Painful Burning Sensation in the Thighs
Wearing clothes that are too tight for long periods of time can result in a painful condition that neurologists call ‘meralgia paresthetica’. The condition is associated with painful tingling or burning sensation in the thighs. It is caused by pressure on the nerves that supply blood to the upper thighs. If left unaddressed, the condition can become severe resulting in excruciating pain.
Conclusion
Compression clothing can result in serious health complications. That’s why it’s important that you avoid wearing them. You should consider wearing loose clothing at all times, even during workouts. However, if you are bent on wearing compression clothing, make sure that you buy the right size based on your leg and hip measurement. You should buy clothing that is not too difficult to put on or take off. This will help prevent the serious health complications mentioned in the article.