Continued from Health Myths.

From Underwear to Infertility

Fans of “tighty whities” have little to fear. While there is a little truth involved with this myth, there is no research to show that tight underwear have an affect on sperm production.

The truth part of the myth comes from the fact that excess heat on the testicles, like that in a hot tub, can hurt a man’s fertility. However, tight clothing doesn’t have the wattage.

“There is no significant difference in sperm parameters found between men wearing different types of underwear,” says Dr. Moshe Wald, assistant professor of urology at the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine.

Microwave Death

There may have been some truth to this myth in the past, but not anymore. Microwave energy was used in the past to communicate with pacemakers and there was worry that leakage from a microwave could interfere with the devices.

Today’s pacemakers are shielded against such interference and the FDA does not require microwaves to carry warnings.

“In today’s world, microwave ovens are made with a higher degree of integrity and are less likely to leak,” says Dr. Donald LaVan, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.