Cellphones Could Harm Male Fertility
The phones in our pockets may be cutting into one of the most intimate parts of our lives
New research suggests the radiation from mobile devices could be harming male fertility, adding yet another potential risk to the list of health concerns associated with cellphone use.
Over 20 Percent Reduction in Sperm Concentration
The new study, published in Fertility and Sterility, is the largest cross-sectional study examining the association between cellphone use and male fertility.
Researchers analyzed data from 2,886 Swiss men between 18 and 22 years old recruited at six military conscription centers between 2005 and 2018.
The participants completed a detailed questionnaire about their lifestyle habits, overall health status, frequency of cellphone use, and where they kept their phone when not using it.
The findings revealed a link between frequent cellphone use and lower sperm concentration. The median sperm concentration was significantly higher in men who didn’t use their cellphones more than once a week than those who used them much more frequently.
Specifically, using a cellphone over 20 times per day was associated with a 21 percent decrease in sperm concentration compared to men who only used the device one or fewer times per day.
However, no consistent association was observed between phone use and sperm motility or morphology. Keeping a phone in participants’ pants pockets wasn’t associated with reduced semen quality either.
“Do the microwaves emitted by mobile phones have a direct or indirect effect? Do they cause a significant increase in temperature in the testes? Do they affect the hormonal regulation of sperm production? This all remains to be discovered,” Rita Rahban, who has a doctorate in reproductive biology and is the study’s lead author, said in a press statement.
Cellphone Radiation’s Effect Declines From 2G to 4G
The findings showed the association between cellphone use and reduced sperm quality was more pronounced from 2005 to 2007, the initial period of the study. This effect gradually decreased from 2008 to 2018.
“This trend corresponds to the transition from 2G to 3G, and then from 3G to 4G, that has led to a reduction in the transmitting power of phones,” Martin Röösli, associate professor at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel, said in the press statement.
However, the decline in cellphone power over time “does not equate to a decline in their impact on sperm,” Devra L. Davis, epidemiologist, toxicologist, and Fellow at the American College of Epidemiology, told The Epoch Times.
“It is not the power,” she said, “but the pulse of these radiating devices that affects their biological impact.”
Some research suggests that the heat generated by cellphones and the electromagnetic fields they produce could potentially lead to elevated testicular temperature, affecting sperm production and quality.
Review of Research Shows Cellphone Risks to Fertility
Other research shows newer phones can be even more damaging to DNA than older models, according to Ms. Davis, who is also the founder and president of Environmental Health Trust, a think tank that publishes research on environmental health hazards.
Regarding fertility impacts, Ms. Davis pointed to research conducted by her team and others at institutions like the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Laboratory studies “demonstrate that current levels of cellphone radiation reduce the quantity and quality of human sperm,” she added.
The concerning problem of declining male fertility has been observed worldwide, according to recent research. A 2022 study found the rate of decline was accelerating, and reproductive-health experts warned we could face a fertility crisis if action isn’t taken soon to address dropping sperm counts.
Industry action needed: expert
The way our bodies are designed may inadvertently facilitate sperm damage. A recent study published in Environmental Research found that 5G radiation can turn human sweat ducts into “helical antennas” that magnify exposure effects.
Previous research has exposed human sperm to cellphone radiation, Ms. Davis said. Just two hours of exposure to radiation similar to what phones currently emit caused sperm death and three times more DNA damage compared to unexposed sperm.
The debate is no longer about whether there is enough proof of human harm—there is—the question now is getting manufacturers to act, she added.
“Environmental Health Trust joins with the international commission on the biological effects of electromagnetic fields, and hundreds of other scientists calling for hardware and software changes to reduce wireless radiation to the lowest levels achievable,” she said.
See more here theepochtimes
Header image: Dreamstime
About the author: George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.
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“5G radiation can turn human sweat ducts into “helical antennas” that magnify exposure effects.”
The whole body is an antenna, but anything of a size that resonates with an introduced frequency will be more greatly affected. The higher the frequency, the shorter the length that will resonate.
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herb
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This is totally bogus , the # 1 cause of infertility problems have been directly linked to the covid and flu jab’s . The flu jab’s have been recently completely reformulated to contain mRNA and the results are major health issues and infertility just like what the covid jab’s cause .
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