Smartphone use may cause low sperm count and male infertilityA large population-based study shows decreased sperm concentration and total sperm count with increased mobile phone use.
Compromised male fertility is thought to contribute to approximately half of clinical infertility cases. Male infertility is a growing public health concern as experts have observed a 50% decline in male sperm counts over several decades.
Searching for answers, researchers have been investigating various environmental factors for their potential influence on sperm quality. These may include radiation exposure, endocrine disruptors, and lifestyle habits (i.e., diet, stress, alcohol, drugs, and smoking).
In a recent study, scientists with the University of Geneva and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute examined the effects that mobile phone use and placement may have on male infertility. The 13-year study suggests that smartphone use may be associated with lower sperm concentration and total sperm count (TSC) in young adult males. The findings were recently published in Fertility and Sterility.
Why is male sperm count going down? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a male with a sperm concentration below 15 million per milliliter may take more than a year to conceive a child with a partner. Moreover, the chances of pregnancy are lower if the sperm concentration falls under 40 million per milliliter.
Research indicates that sperm count has lowered to an average of 47 million sperm per milliliter from 99 million. This is especially so in Western nations. There are additional factors that affect sperm count, such as drug use (prescription and illegal), alcohol use, tobacco use, stress, and physical inactivity.
Do cell phones affect male infertility? For the study, researchers recruited 2,886 men ages 18 to 22 between 2005 and 2018 at military recruitment centers. The laboratory specialists captured semen samples and recorded sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), and motility. Participants answered questions regarding their reproductive and overall health, education, and lifestyle habits and were asked how often they use their cell phone devices.
Median sperm concentration was markedly higher among the men who reported using their phones once weekly compared with those who used their phones more than 20 times daily. Moreover, the link between smartphone use and sperm concentration appears to align with the progression of technologies from 2G to 3G to 4G, corresponding to a decrease in the mobile phone’s output power.
Does it matter where you carry your phone? Study models did not show any association between carrying phones in the pants and lower semen quality parameters.
Does cell phone radiation have long-term effects? The researchers collaborated on this large-scale, cross-sectional study on mobile phone use and semen quality. Their work gathered over a decade of data on thousands of men in Switzerland. This study only covered males ages 18 to 22. The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by cell phones on older men are yet to be explored.
Older cell phones may cause reproductive harm. “While the exact mechanism of impact remains a subject of debate, the correlation highlights the need for cautious use, particularly with older phone models associated with higher emissions,” Dr. Houman added.
The researchers concluded: “The lack of clear evidence for a negative association between mobile phone use and male fertility, as well as the dramatic increase in cell phone use over the past decade, underscores the need for further research in this area.”
Many factors affect fertility rates. While the Swiss study is interesting and warrants further investigation, there may be a bigger picture affecting stress and fertility rates that’s worth examining. Other factors contributing to stress and declining fertility rates could also include economic factors, ongoing negative world news, pressures of social media. Indeed, some experts wonder if mobile phone use, in and of itself, might significantly affect male fertility. Although this study concluded that cell phone usage affects sperm concentration, there were many factors it found no association with.
In summary, most research supports the use of lifestyle changes, natural remedies, and dietary adjustments to help a male manage and improve a low sperm count.
Such lifestyle changes include adopting a regular exercise regimen and sleep schedule, as well as avoiding tobacco, excess alcohol, and illicit drugs. It may also help to avoid particular prescription medications. Taking herbal supplements, such as fenugreek and ashwagandha, may also help.
Dietary changes that promote a higher sperm count include reducing the intake of trans fatty acids and increasing polyunsaturated fatty acid and vitamin D intake. Maintaining a healthful, balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables is the best way to boost sperm count through the diet.
- Health experts have searched for environmental and lifestyle influences behind decreasing male sperm count for half a century.
- Some researchers believe mobile phones emitting low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic fields may affect male fertility.
- A large Swiss population study revealed decreased sperm concentration and total sperm count with increased mobile phone use.
- The findings indicate that advanced phone technologies may have less impact on sperm quality.
Sources: Excerpted from an article by Jeanna D. Smiley — Fact checked by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D.https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320010;
Chidiebere Emmanuel Okechukwu, Does the Use of Mobile Phone Affect Male Fertility? A Mini-Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7727890/;
Barazani, Y., et al. (2014). Lifestyle, environment, and male reproductive health [Abstract].
http://www.urologic.theclinics.com/article/S0094-0143(13)00094-3/abstract
