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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Wearing compression pantyhose has made a firm believer out of me. My legs feel so much better than going without. My family has a history of varicose vein problems so I have learned from this. Thank you for this great article that has helped to improve my life.
No, I don't think they can, not real men in the current social norms anyway but toxic masculinity never did me much good and this gave me an opportunity to let it go and enjoy my feminine side with the support of my wife.
Thank you for this blog post. I had been too proud to wear this initially. But it just hurt so much if I didn't wear it. So finally I took up the courage to wear it openly at home, and my health had been much better afterwards.
My husband wears female support stockings as these are cheaper but do the same job. I also gave him a few of my suspender belts.
Due to the condition of "veinous incontinence" and the aching legs that result, I've been wearing compression hosiery since at least 2011 - socks, stockings and tights (US: pantyhose).
A sympathetic and knowledgeable pharmacist is very helpful when you go with your prescription. Make sure that the latter says just "tights" instead of "tights for men" then there is no restriction on benefiting from the women's range, which is usually more extensive and more comfortable to wear than the men's range.
I have worn hold-up stockings, but my experience was that a suspender (US: garter) belt was essential. There are gender-neutral ones available in pharmacies or others which you can buy on the Internet or in shops.
I often wear women's support tights all day long, including at work. Black and opaque are fairly subtle. If not at work, even flesh-colored compression tights under your trousers are seldom noticed.
Wearing thick tights without underwear is not very agreeable, due to physical abrasion of your virility when walking, plus the danger of tract infections. The only SEAMLESS lightweight underwear I can find are actually for women but really they are the most comfortable to wear underneath tights, in my experience.
Well I have worn them for over a year now, had to shave my legs as these was plucking them and boy that's painfull on its own.
But now I don't even bother hiding them and yes they ease the pain loads so this goes out to all the men if you have to wear them do it you wont regret it once you start feeling the benefits from them.
But Happy New Year to you all
I have been wearing compression pantyhose for at least 10 years now everyday at first i was ashamed but my doctor had prescribed me wearing them but to put things in perspective if you are too self consciousness then you're not in enough pain. They used to bunch up at the knees while I was walking so my wife bought something for the hair on my legs. Then I was really embarrassed but under pants who can see. So as I have said if you are still afraid of wearing them you are not in enough pain.
The reality is that stockings in our culture are seen as items of women's clothing and often eroticised ones as well. I think my doctor was a bit of a pervert and he prescribed thigh highs before I actually needed them. The trouble was I found that I actually liked them and the guilt I feel stopped me wearing them. What made things worse was that I then realised I would have to wear a garter belt to stop them dangerously slipping and constricting. It was bizarre, like cross-dressing on doctors orders. But I need to wear them so I have the choice of keeping my dignity and pain and my legs getting worse or protecting my health but having a fetish I'm ashamed off. I would like a girlfriend who would accept this and make it ok. Maybe its just me but I wonder if anyone else has similar issues and feels as confused?
If your issue is simply with wearing compression stockings for medical reasons I think you are definitely over thinking it. Maybe you should discuss your concerns with your physician to help put you at ease.
I wear compression pantyhose 20/30 everyday. The VA prescribed thigh highs for swelling and blood pooling. I couldn't wear them. The silicone rubber at the top would make me itch like crazy. Sometime later the doctor asked why I wasn't wearing them. Once I told him, he said there was only one option left and the VA now sends 4 pairs of pantyhose every six months. During the summer, I wear shorts. Never had an issue except once.
Arthur L Welcome mate.
Our legs are the same as a Woman's and we have the same problems, I had the same problems doctor put me in knee highs, now I'm in full pantyhose because my legs was swelling,
and yes I have had to shave my legs as the pantyhose was plucking them and they hurt like hell.
I get my work ones from the bay but you have to be careful as mine start from the foot, and get less compression to the top.
But now winter is coming in the UK you will be pleased to know that builders wear pantyhose at work so your not alone on this, And if it helps put your underwear on over the top of the pantyhose.
A little info don't go above class 1 compression unless the doctor recommends it as they keep checking to see if there is any problems and causing bigger problems, If you live in the UK get the doctor to put you on them and you get 2 pair free every 3 to 6 months.
Hope this helps mate