For many men and even some women this may seem a valid question. But the real question here should be – What is more important, protecting the “Male Ego” and being “Macho” or protecting your health and wellbeing?
Obviously both men and women have very similar types of legs and males as well as females can encounter the same types of venous problems with their legs. In most cases women are comfortable with wearing compression stockings because stockings or pantyhose are normal everyday clothing items they are used to wearing. In addition, compression hosiery can be purchased in modern styles and fashionable designs, sheer or opaque to suit any occasion, which makes it almost impossible to identify them as compression stockings.
Most men, on the other hand, have difficulty with the idea of wearing support or compression stockings, especially as a preventive measure to preserve the health of their legs. Men who are already experiencing problems with leg pains, swelling, varicose veins and venous insufficiency (veins that no longer function correctly in performing their task of returning the blood to the heart) tend to be more open to the subject of wearing compression stockings. This is especially true after they have experienced firsthand the relief they can bring to the painful symptoms.
Due to established attitudes in society and fear of embarrassment, many males have a hard time adopting the idea of donning support or compression stockings. They don’t want to have anything to do with traditionally “female” stockings. Nevertheless, men often need the support these leg garments have to offer too.
On the preventive side even without the presence of any venous conditions, good support socks, stockings or pantyhose can make the difference between heavy, tired and achy feeling legs versus energized and invigorated feeling legs after a long [work] day on your feet or prolonged periods of sitting and inactivity. There are simply no good or logical reasons why men cannot wear support stockings or pantyhose too to keep their legs healthy. To deliver the most effective support for your legs, the support hose should be made with fibers of at least 70 Den*) weight, or even better, 140 Den.
If your physician has prescribed compression stockings for you, in most cases there may already be an existing condition or significant symptoms involving the veins. The bottom line – even as a man there should be no need to hide when it comes to your health and wellness. Depending on your condition – whether you need to wear knee-high, thigh-high or pantyhose style compression stockings, your health and wellbeing should always come first.
Many men have already discovered the benefits of support and compression stockings for preserving their leg health. Especially brave men who do not adhere to a dress code may even dare to wear shorts with their compression or support stockings during the hot summer months in order to prevent trapped heat under long pants. Remember, compression stockings can only benefit your health if they are worn regularly from the time you get up all day and if possible every day.
*) Den or Denier = Thickness of one thread of fiber used in manufacturing hosiery. The lower the denier number, the lighter and finer the yarn and the sheerer the stocking or pantyhose. The denier number is numerically equal to the weight, in grams, of 9,000 meters of fiber or yarn. For comparison a human hair for example is approximately 50 denier in thickness.
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I have suffered intense leg pain . After some extensive internet reasearch I experimented and have found that compression pantyhose and thigh highs help immensely. My wife knows I occaisionally wear them when the pain gets bad enough, but it still feels like I'm doing something weird. I also find that they seem to slide down somewhat and I have no desire to shave my legs, something I have read that helps with this problem. Which ones are the least noticeable and comfortable for men to wear? The sheerest seem most comfortable as they are cooler and slide easily under pants. I have also found that full pantyhose actually feel better than thigh highs as pantyhose compress the upper leg better. It seems all pantyhose pull up much too high above my waist. God forbid I bend over and my shirt is untucked. Is there anything made for men that cover all of these needs at a price I can afford?
Thank you for your comment Arthur. You should definitely not feel like you are doing something weird because you are wearing compression stockings. It is high times that such outdated points of views be abolished. The bottom line is men have the same leg issues as women do and they should not be shamed or feel ashamed for trying to things that benefit their leg health such as wearing support hose or compression stockings.
Thanks Gregory
But the doctor has moved me to class 3 full pantyhose as its all my legs that's now swelling but I'm use to below the knee so its not so bad but boy are these hard work to get on but fingers crossed it helps as I don't know if I could go to the next level but my health comes first.
I have had one comment from a lady about me wearing them saying those are for women not men till I told her the reason why I was wearing them and she just said oh sorry
I was forced to wear my thigh highs because of pain and then had to admit I liked how they feel. I felt a bit wrong about that but having venous disease is no fun so I suppose I may as well get some enjoyment from it - and after all it is my body. My girlfriend helped me put them on and accept them. When I said that it was embarrassing to wear them she told me not to be stupid. When I mentioned the problem of them slipping she laughed and said you have to get a little girdle wont you? She showed me how to put one on. It was no big deal to her. It was kind of sexy to share it. She even wore them for me once to help me think of them in a more fun way.
Thanks for a great boost just a little info about me I had a heart attack in 2014 that's the year my life changed now my legs swell twice the size and I'm only 53 went to see the doc and he put me on compression socks class 2 I got them went home opened the packet and said to the wife I'm not wearing these as they are for women anyway to cut some out of this 6 months went by still in the box they came in and my legs getting worse wife came down stairs with these socks in hand and said get these on and had a row with her over it she said come on I will help you put them on and she did and I have been wearing this now for the last month and my god they feel great no more pain so thanks for your info on this site its opened my eyes and yes my health comes first I have a wife and children that I want to grow old with and see grandkids
Very inspiring Ian. I really like to see comments like yours. I hope many other men will draw courage from it. Thanks so much.
I LOVE this post . I have been wearing support panty hose for years under my jeans . Just this summer I have been wearing them with shorts anywhere I want to go with no problems or negative comments. They help my legs tremendously. I am glad you wrote about this subject. Thank you.
Thanks for your comment and good for you Keith. It took me some time to be comfortable wearing compression stockings openly in the summer but now I don't care if anyone objects. It is your health that matters not whether other people approve of what you are wearing.
Great Article. I agree that men shouldn't let their macho pride come before their health but I think we should recognise how difficult it is for them. Stockings are not only seen as female attire but have long been seen as symbolic of female sexual identity in our culture. its not surprising that men feel a conflict. My husband refused to wear his thigh-highs for a long time because of this. It was only when I said they looked good on him and we accepted them into our intimate life, that he was able to begin wearing them. I think that understanding and accepting partners are very important.
Keep up your good work, Thanks,
Nikki
I agree that its more important for men to maintain their health than their macho pride but I think its important to realise how difficult the issue is for men and also how female partners can help. I think we need to recognise that stockings are not only seen as items of female attire but are associated with female sexuality. Many men find them erotic on their partners so its understandable that some of them experience a sense of conflict and confusion in wearing them. To make things more difficult, doctors often don't tell men that they may also need a suspender belt to stop them slipping and rolling up like a tourniquet. My husband has to wear thigh-highs for chronic venous insufficiency. Even as his condition worsened he refused to wear them for more than a couple of hours. He later told me that he discovered that he liked the way they felt and experienced guilt. It was only after I said that they looked good on him and we incorporated them into our intimacy that he began to accept the stockings. His macho pride no longer interferes with his health. I think that the understanding and acceptance of partners is very important.
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My husband's doctor recommended that he wear compression stockings. At first, he said no way is he going to wear old lady stockings. He has very bad varicose veins and he finds them painful. I shopped around online, and came across JobstSocks.com. They had a very wide selecion of MENS compression SOCKS. I spoke with the knowledgeable customer service reps on the site and they informed me that socks and stockings would in fact do the same for him medically if he was purchasing the recommended compression. We took his measurements and bought him a pair of Jobst for men knee high socks in the 20-30mmHg compression. When they arrived, he loved them! They are specifically designed for men. They are ribbed and have enough room for his big feet! The shipping was free and i received my order within 72 hours of purchasing. I highly recommend to anybody who are first time wearers of these compression garments!!!
Thank you for this comment to encourage men who should be wearing compression stockings. With regard to the compression socks I'm assuming that your husband has varicose veins below the knee only. Otherwise his physician may likely have recommended compression stockings that go all the way up to the thigh area.
Wow, I really took pleasure in this post. Kudos to you for a worthwhile read. Cheers!