What does going commando mean? Put simply, going commando means not wearing any underwear. It’s actually quite common for guys to go commando too, and there’s a few reasons why.
Some men say that going sans-underwear gives them a feeling of freedom. Others admit to forgoing underwear to keep themselves feeling cooler, particularly during the summer months.
But is it ok for a guy to go commando? And are there any benefits or risks to leaving your drawers in your drawers?
Below, we’ll take an in-depth look at everything you need to know about going commando.
We’ll explore the reasons behind it, look at the benefits, and break things down into pros and cons.
In the end, you’ll have a much better idea whether going commando is the right way forward for you.
Why Do Guys Go Commando?
The phrase itself has a military background (hence the term “commando”) and it refers to soldiers needing to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Putting on underwear before their uniform simply takes up too much valuable time.
But, as you’re probably aware, going without underwear is now something that many non-military men do. What percent of guys go commando? Surveys have shown that 5% – 7% of guys admit to not wearing underwear at all.
But why do guys go commando?
It’s fair to say that the biggest reason guys choose to go commando is because it offers a feeling of freedom.
Underwear is designed to support but some men can find it incredibly restrictive.
By leaving their underwear at home, they are able to move freely and generally feel more comfortable throughout the day.
Some guys also go commando to keep themselves cool. Think about how you would normally dress on a hot day. Shorts and vests are designed to allow air to get to our skin and keep us cool. But, bunching your boys up in underwear doesn’t allow for any air circulation.
This can lead to increased sweat which, in turn, can create a load of problems including jock itch and other bacterial infections. We’ll discuss this in more detail a little later on.
Finally, some guys choose to go commando simply because they prefer to.
Fashion is a personal thing and there’s no written rule that says you absolutely have to wear underwear.
Sure, it’s considered a fairly taboo thing to do, but for those that can see past societal expectations and standards, it can be very liberating.
We should note here that there is another reason why some men choose to go commando, and it’s all to do with size.
But does going commando make you bigger? Put simply, no, it doesn’t.
While you may feel more comfortable without your underwear on, and there are some benefits of swinging-free, there’s no evidence to suggest that it can increase the size of your manhood.
pros and cons of going commando
The pros:
Sounds pretty sensible so far, right? But is going commando healthy for guys?
It definitely can be, and there are some surprising pros to letting it all hang loose. Each of these is directly related to the penis, scrotum, and testicles.
Going Commando Prevents Fungal Infections
The first benefit that can come from going commando is a reduced risk of fungal infections, which we’ve touched on briefly above.
At all times of the year, but particularly during the summer, underwear can stop air from reaching the genitals and keeping them cool and dry.
This means that they can get warm and wet with sweat, which is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Fungal infections such as jock itch and tinea cruris can become a real problem and continuing to wear underwear will only make it worse.
But, by going commando, you’re letting air circulate around your genitals and keeping everything cool. In turn, the risk of developing a fungal infection is dramatically reduced.
Going Commando Can Influence Sperm Production
Again, this one comes down to heat.
Your testicles hang on the outside of your body for a reason – they need to be kept cool! And, in order to produce good-quality sperm, they need to stay at a temperature of around 94ºF (34.4ºC).
However, if you’re wearing tight-fitting underwear, the testicles are at a higher risk of being pushed up against your body. As a result, the temperature around your scrotum increases and this can cause testicular hyperthermia.
Over time, testicular hyperthermia can increase your chances of infertility by lowering your sperm count and quality. There’s even been a study to prove this.
Going Commando Can Reduce Irritation
When you wear underwear, your penis and scrotum are pressed up against your body in close contact.
This can lead to uncomfortable chafing or irritation as you move around throughout the day and, in some cases, this can create an infection.
However, wearing a loose-fitting pair of jeans or shorts without underwear can reduce the chances of chafing against your genitals. In turn, the risk of developing a nasty infection is dramatically reduced.
The Cons:
No support.
While you will get a feeling of freedom from going commando, there are situations where you may need to feel as though your genitals are being supported properly.
Clothes can get stained.
There’s no nice way to put this.
Your penis will discharge certain fluids throughout the day including urine and pre-seminal fluid. Usually, your underwear would absorb this but, without wearing any, there’s a chance your clothes could become stained.
Beware the zipper!
We all know how easy it is to accidentally leave your zipper undone when you’ve been to the bathroom. Sometimes it’ll even undo itself over the course of the day.
Usually, this causes a small amount of embarrassment, but when you’re going commando, there is a risk of flashing yourself and potentially upsetting a lot of people.
Even worse, if you do remember to do your zipper up, you risk catching yourself in it and that’s never something that you want to happen!
Things To Think About When You’re Going Commando
By now, you’re probably thinking that going commando is an excellent thing to do for both your health and comfort. But, it isn’t without its problems and there are some things that you need to think about when you’re going commando.
Don’t Wear Tight Pants
There’s very little point in going commando if you still plan on squeezing into a pair of ultra-skinny jeans.
These will still press your genitals against your body and increase the risk of chafing and irritation.
You won’t get proper air circulation around your scrotum either.
Wash Your Clothes More Regularly
Even though you’re more than likely showering on a daily basis, your genitals can still carry a lot of bacteria. Without any underwear acting as a protective layer, this bacteria can gather on your clothes instead.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to only wear pants or shorts once before washing them when you’re going commando.
Wear Underwear In Fitting Rooms
This one should be obvious, but if you’re going on a shopping spree and you know that you’ll be trying on clothes, it’s best to put some underwear on.
After all, it’s pretty gross for your genitals to make contact with something that you’re just going to put back on the shelf!
You’ll be protecting yourself as well, as you can’t be certain that the person trying the clothes on before you wasn’t going commando.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are several reasons why some guys choose to go commando.
There are also some proven benefits. But, ultimately, the choice of whether or not to wear underwear lies with you.
It’s a highly personal thing and, even though there are benefits to going commando, you shouldn’t do it if you feel as though you’ll be uncomfortable in any way.
If you found this article helpful, you’ll definitely want to read “When to wear an undershirt?” next.
