Men who regularly use their cell phones have a 21 percent lower sperm concentration, according to a new study.
The quality of a man’s sperm is determined by factors such as sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm swimming ability and sperm size and shape.
Many studies have shown that sperm quality has declined over the past fifty years, with sperm counts dropping from an average of 99 million sperm per milliliter to 47 million.
This decline is believed to be due to a combination of environmental factors such as pesticides and radiation, as well as lifestyle habits such as diet, smoking, alcohol and stress.
The team from the University of Geneva collected data from 2,886 men aged 18 to 22 who provided a semen sample. Participants also answered questions about how they use their cell phones and where they keep them when not in use
Researchers wanted to investigate whether electromagnetic radiation from cell phones can affect sperm quality.
The team from the University of Geneva collected data from 2,886 men aged 18 to 22 who provided a semen sample.
Participants also answered questions about how they use their cell phones and where they keep them when not in use.
The analysis showed that there is a link between regular mobile phone use and lower sperm concentration.
READ MORE: Spermageddon! Men’s sperm counts have more than halved since the 1970s, as experts warn the trend could ‘threaten the survival of the human race’
Men who used their phones more than 20 times a day saw their sperm concentration drop by 21 percent compared to those who didn’t use their phones more than once a week.
This relationship was more evident in the early years of the study, between 2005 and 2007, and gradually decreased over time until 2018.
Researcher Martin Roosli, who worked on the study, said: “This trend corresponds to the transition from 2G to 3G and then from 3G to 4G, which led to a reduction in the transmission power of phones.”
The results also showed that where the men kept their phones – such as in their pockets – had no effect on sperm quality.
In an article in the journal Fertility & Sterility, researchers explain that one in six couples have trouble conceiving, with about half of the cases caused by the male partner.
“The use of mobile phones has increased significantly in recent decades,” they said, “and there is increasing concern about the possible harmful effects of the radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by these devices on human health and especially on reproductive functions.”
“This study suggests that higher cell phone use is associated with lower sperm concentration and total sperm count.”
They added that the mechanism by which mobile phone use may affect the male reproductive system remains “unclear”.
Lead author Rita Rahban said: “Do the microwaves emitted by cell phones have a direct or indirect effect?”
“Do they cause a significant increase in temperature in the testicles?” Do they affect the hormonal regulation of sperm production?
“It’s all yet to be discovered.”
Commenting on the research, Professor Allan Pacey, a fertility expert at the University of Manchester, said: “There have been a lot of studies on this and they’ve all been a bit rubbish.”
“But I have to say, this is a pretty good article; It’s the kind of paper I’d like to make myself.
“It is only a connection, so we cannot definitively say from this study that cell phones are bad for sperm.” All we can say is that there is a connection.
“What I like about it is that you see a rating over the years that suggests 2G was worse than 4G.”
When asked if he was surprised by the results, he replied: “Yes, because I was always a bit skeptical about the risk.”
“I don’t think men should worry about it, but be aware of it.”
‘[The effect] it seems to be decreasing over the years, so it could be historic.”
Professor Pacey added: “While this paper gives researchers clear direction for their future studies, I’m not sure it really changes the advice I would give to men concerned about their fertility.”
“If men are concerned, it’s relatively easy for them to leave their phone in a pocket and limit their use.” However, there is currently no evidence that their sperm quality improves. As for me, I will continue to keep my phone in my pocket.’
Professor Malcolm Sperrin, fellow at the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, said: “The results certainly raise the need for further research.”
“However, there is an imperative need for the lay reader to avoid over-interpretation of the results and conclusions that are difficult to justify.”
“Using a questionnaire to determine phone use is likely to involve large error bars, but it’s hard to see how else this data could be obtained; Self-disclosure is known to be sensitive to uncertainty.
“There are likely numerous confounding factors that the authors and future researchers could investigate, such as the hypothesis that increased phone use is associated with anxiety, which in turn leads to poorer sperm quality.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
