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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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
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.
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Common sense points. Male and females have legs. If appropriate support pantyhose is the answer and it means the proper preventive measures to good leg health it seems to be a justified means to good ends. Regardless if a typical female garment, learn to wear them regularly and you will find a remarkable difference.
Thank you for this great comment. That’s the kind of open mindedness that is needed among men and women.
I have worn opaque compression pantyhose for years and nobody has noticed. It shouldn’t really matter if you need to wear them as I do. I don’t wear them with shorts, but I do wear them with trousers and no socks, because they would then be too hot. Nice post!
I agree it shouldn’t matter. Thank you for your contribution.
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I often wear my support opaque tights under shorts. I have various styles and colors of tights that I wear with my shorts. With my wifes help, I am getting good at coordinating my tights with my outfit. Tights aren’t just on the fashion strips in Paris, they are on the streets of villages, towns, and big cities. The tights made a big difference in my leg health.My legs feel so much better after a day of work. I wish I started wearing a long time ago. .
If you have venous issues support hosiery with graduated compression (compression stockings) may be most helpful. But make sure to discuss things with your physician first.
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I have started to wear shorts with my compression stockings and have noticed that I seem to be the one who is feeling nervous. Most people don’t seem to notice. I normally wear a natural skin colour so it is not so noticeable. If you feel unsure try wearing a thin knee high regular sock over them. As more and more guys start to wear them they will become more acceptable. You might want to be aware that the new line from Mediven called “Comfort” in the USA, come with an adjustable waist band so can be adjusted so they are not so tight around the waist. I have been wearing compression stockings since 1994…continously.
A large percentage of of the things you say happens to be supprisingly appropriate and that makes me wonder why I had not looked at this with this light before. This post really did switch the light on for me personally as far as this issue goes. Nicely done.
I wear my 20-30 Beige/Suntan pantyhose quite a-bit with shorts ( do shave what hair is left on my legs). It appears like very few people notice. I normally wear khaki shorts just above the knee, I like long sleeve t-shirts, and crew socks with low hiking type shoes. I never have had anybody make a negative comment, giggle, or a funny look.
I also go walking on a regular basis with people around, go to the grocery store, Walmart, etc, etc, nobody called the newspaper, CNN, there were no helicopters flying over. LOL
If you show confidence in yourself, and try to go about your daily life like you are not even wearing hose, that’s what makes the difference. After all it is for your leg health. And if you have you been given a prescription, well.
But really it’s all in our head, take little steps, people just don’t care.
Please go for it!
Thanks for your comment. That’s the kind of self confidence that is needed.
Great article but when do you bite the bullet and wear them under your shorts? Today it is 101 degrees with high humidity. Can’t wear them under my jeans – too hot! Thank you!
Thanks for your input Larry. I’d say whenever you feel comfortable with it. I think I understand where you are coming from and I haven’t reached that point either yet to be quite honest. It should really not be such a big deal and hopefully our society’s outdated thinking will eventually give way to a more open mindset.
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