Medical Reasons
Pantyhose and other "compression stockings" can be worn to provide relief from leg or ankle swelling and varicose veins. They provide warmth and support for men who have Raynaud's phenomenon. They can also worn as supportive therapy for vein disorders such as lymphedema and deep vein thrombosis.
The effect of non-medical grade support hosiery is given only passing notice in much of the medical literature. This is primarily due to less experimentally-quantifiable information available regarding the contribution of non-medical grade support hosiery on leg circulation. That's not to say there is none available, however.
According to the United States Department of Health & Human Services, "The single most important thing a person can do to slow down the development of new varicose veins is to wear graduated compression support stockings as much as possible during the day." They also list "wearing elastic support stockings" as a means of reducing the chances of getting new varicose and spider veins. In addition, a 2001 study cited by the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery concluded that, "Use of lightweight (low compression), ready-to-wear gradient compression hosiery is very effective in improving symptoms of discomfort, swelling, fatigue, aching, as well as leg tightness."
A significant portion of the population—both male and female—will eventually suffer from some sort of leg circulation problem, including venous insufficiency and related issues. There is no physiological difference between men and women that prevents it from developing in men in nearly equal frequency as women, therefore men can benefit from the preventative aspects of full length support hosiery every bit as much as their female counterparts. It is important to consult a physician when these problems worsen and varicose veins begin to appear, to make sure medical intervention is not necessary. The regular use of full support tights or pantyhose may be all that is needed to prevent these symptoms from occurring.
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