Beyond the Gold: The Untold Toll of Elite Performance on Male Fertility

By Saara Jamieson – Founder, Cool Beans Underwear

The Olympic Games are a celebration of peak performance. But behind the record-breaking achievements and global spotlight lies a lesser-known cost—particularly for male athletes: their reproductive health.

The Hidden Threat to Male Fertility

Here’s what most people don’t realise: elite male athletes are more likely to experience infertility than the general population. And it’s not just the training loads—it’s the gear also.

Tight-fitting athleticwear presses the scrotum against the body, where it absorbs core heat. This rise in temperature can shut down both testosterone and sperm production. Even sperm that has already developed becomes less viable under these conditions.

The Polyester Problem

Polyester is a staple in modern athletic gear—but it’s also one of the biggest hidden risks to male fertility. Research shows that when polyester rubs against scrotal hairs, it can generate electrostatic fields that emit micro-waves into the testes. The result? Damaged or destroyed sperm cells.

Combine that with the elevated heat from training, and many athletes are unknowingly compromising their fertility.

A Worrying Trend

Sperm quality is declining at a global scale. The average sperm count dropped from 99 million/ml in 1970 to just over 20 million/ml today. That’s dangerously close to the clinical threshold for infertility—15 million/ml.

Meanwhile, IVF usage is increasing by 2.2% per year, matching the 2.8% annual decline in sperm quality. For elite athletes, the risks are even greater.

A Science-Backed Solution

That’s where Cool Beans Underwear comes in.

Developed using research-backed design, Cool Beans features a patented mesh pouch that gently lifts the scrotum away from body heat and compressive pressure. This allows for:

• Better airflow
• Reduced scrotal temperature
• Improved testosterone and sperm production

And it’s more than just comfortable underwear—it’s the first and only wearable testicular cooling medical device registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Why It Matters—For All Men

This isn’t just a concern for Olympians. If you’re sitting at a desk, in a car, or training in tight gear—you’re at risk too. The impact of testicular heat is universal.

Athletes may sacrifice their bodies for gold, but they shouldn’t have to sacrifice their fertility too.

Take Action

If you're looking to:

• Future-proof your fertility
• Optimise testosterone levels
• Boost physical performance naturally

... then it’s time to rethink your underwear.

👉 Shop Cool Beans Men's Health Underwear – engineered for performance, fertility, and comfort.

References

1. Mieusset, R., & Bujan, L. (1995). Testicular heating and its possible contributions to male infertility. International Journal of Andrology, 18(4), 169–184.

2. Jung, A., & Schuppe, H.C. (2007). Influence of genital heat stress on semen quality in humans. Andrologia, 39(6), 203–215.

3. Levine, H., et al. (2017). Temporal trends in sperm count: A systematic review and meta-regression. Human Reproduction Update, 23(6), 646–659.