Male fertility and cell phone use: What you need to know

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NEW YORK, Nov 2, (Agencies): A recent study has shed light on the potential impact of cell phone usage on male fertility. Published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, this study has raised concerns regarding the concentration of sperm in men who regularly use their mobile devices for various activities.

According to the research, men who frequently use their cell phones for tasks like making calls and checking emails have exhibited a significant decrease of over 20% in sperm concentration compared to those who use their phones sparingly or not at all. While several factors have contributed to a decline in semen quality over the past 50 years, the role of mobile phones in this phenomenon has remained relatively unexplored.

Researchers from the University of Geneva collaborated with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in an effort to investigate this matter further. They gathered data and semen samples from 2,886 men aged 18 to 22. Participants were asked about their mobile phone usage patterns and where they typically stored their phones when not in use.

The findings revealed that individuals who picked up their phones more than 20 times a day had a 21% lower sperm concentration compared to those who rarely used their phones, but it’s worth noting that the impact of cell phone use on sperm characteristics was more pronounced in earlier surveys conducted between 2005 and 2007. Subsequent research showed a decrease in the observed effects, potentially due to advancements in mobile network technologies.

The researchers pointed out that the shift from 2G to 3G and then to 4G networks led to a reduction in the transmitting power of phones, with newer mobile generations emitting significantly lower radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). They are optimistic that advancements like 5G technology will continue to reduce the potential impact on male fertility.

Interestingly, the study found no strong correlations between where men kept their cell phones, with the majority (85.7%) storing them in their pockets. However, the subset of men who kept their phones away from their bodies was too small to draw definitive conclusions.

As a result, the researchers have called for further investigations into the relationship between male fertility and cell phone usage, particularly as mobile networks continue to evolve. Rita Rahban, the study’s lead author, raised important questions about the potential effects of microwaves emitted by mobile phones on testicular temperature and hormonal regulation of sperm production. These aspects remain areas for further research and exploration.

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