Sperm count has fallen by more than 50 per cent in less than 50 years. But why?
Some blame it on toxins within our foods, water, or household products; still others claim that a parallel rise in obesity or some other long-term disease is implicated. But clearly, cell phone use is worthy of consideration-the technology has existed only within the last 40 years and its involvement in our daily routine becomes more important each successive year.
According to a new study, there’s evidence that cell phones could, in fact, have an impact on sperm concentration.
But how? And what can you do about it? Read on for insight into the study’s findings, plus experts’ recommendations on how to limit your exposure to risks that may impact your sperm count.
Can Your Cell Phone Cause a Low Sperm Count?
A 2023 study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility analyzed health and lifestyle data from about 3,000 college-age Swiss men serving in the military.
Thus, they found that those men who used their phones more than 20 times in a day had 21% lower sperm counts than the men who used them once a week or so. Put in other terms, this means the men who used their phones more had a 30% increased risk of their sperm concentration falling below what’s considered the fertile range.
While the study is indicative-the use of cell phones is associated with reduced sperm count-it is important to remember that, within the scientific context, correlation does not imply causation,” said Dr. Michel Bielecki, MD, a research scientist and co-founder/CEO at fertility care platform lllumicell AI.
In other words, that does not mean the cell phones actually cause the decrease.
Similar studies have yielded conflicting results, a sure sign of how complicated and multifactorial this issue is,” says Bielecki. “Other potential biases would involve accuracy of self-reported data and technology, which has changed over time.
Thus, while intriguing, the findings are not convincing enough to establish cell phones as a direct cause of lower sperm counts.
- Another interesting finding? Those researchers found that the association between cell phone use and sperm count weakened over time-the effect was larger in the first phase of the study in 2005-2007, but weaker between 2012-2018. That trajectory does seem to line up with the progression from 2G to 3G and 4G technology, suggesting the lower transmitting power of newer phones is having less of an impact on sperm count.
There are a few theories, according to experts, as to why cell phones may be affecting sperm count: “Cell phones produce radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, or RF-EMF-especially when calls are taking place,” according to Charles M. Carlsen, the Co-founder of Drsono.
According to Charles , the belief of some is that exposure to this radiation could cause oxidative stress-a state in which there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body, leading to inflammation, damaging organs, and tissues.
“There are some animal studies that have shown high levels of RF-EMF reduce sperm count and cause detrimental changes in the testicular tissue,” says David D. Smith, the Co-founder of Bladgo.
- Heat reduces sperm quality,” says Scott — cell phones generate quite a bit of heat. That’s another reason some believe that cell phones could be detrimental to sperm count, particularly if you keep your device in your pants pocket. “Research exploring heat as a contraceptive method from the 1930s showed that deliberately increasing scrotal temperature could reduce fertility for months,” says Bielecki. Any direct linkage to the use of cell phones or other devices is thus speculative, and further research will be necessary if the critical explanation of these interactions and their implications for reproductive health is to be elucidated.
- Finally, there’s another theory that microwaves emanated from cell phones interfere with hormone control,” adds Scott. Hormonal balance is what governs sperm production, according to Dr. Paul Gittens, a sexual medicine physician with the Rockwell Centers for Sexual Medicine & Wellness.
Causes of Low Sperm Count-continued
While we still don’t know exactly how strong the association is between cell phone use and sperm count, one thing experts agree on is that it’s by no means the only factor at play.
Dr. Victoria Scott, a board-certified urologist and urogynecologist, says studying sperm count on large scales can be difficult. Scientists generally believe decreasing sperm counts are due to a combination of:
- Lifestyle factors- increased stress, use of tobacco and marijuana, obesity
- Exposure to harmful substances in the environment including radiation, pesticides and chemicals that disrupt hormones, better known as endocrine disrupting chemicals and specifically PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and phthalates.
“Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are everywhere,” says Dr. Graham Simpson, medical director at Opt Health. “
“They are found in plastics and vinyl flooring, wall coverings, medical devices and toys, as well as a vast array of personal products like soaps and shampoos.”
In other words, toxins are everywhere — and a lot of them can affect our hormones, therefore affecting fertility.
New research has also shown that air pollution alone lowers sperm count and quality.
“Ambient temperatures affect sperm count, so there is also a theory that rising global temperatures could affect sperm count,” adds Scott.
What You Can Do About It
Also important to note, Scott says, is that it’s incredibly difficult to study sperm count. Because sperm count can fluctuate from hour to hour, let alone day to day, in order to get an accurate sample, a wide number of participants would need to be studied over a long period of time.
Still, as the adage goes, knowledge is power. And though more studies are needed about the link between cell phone use and sperm count, there are some things experts recommend doing in the name of your reproductive health.
As Bielecki said, “A sedentary lifestyle in particular is a big concern for general health but also for reproductive health.”
At the same time, regular exercise and a healthy diet can dramatically improve the quality of sperm. The thing is, not everyone knows that even mild regular physical activity can improve sperm concentration and motility.
Given various studies that found a potential link between air pollution and sperm count/quality, according to Bielecki, even something as simple as choosing a less polluted route for your daily jog could have real meaning.
For those men concerned about the possible effect of cell phones on sperm quality, there are some precautions to take, says Dr. Laurence Levine, board of certified urologist and chief medical advisor at Promescent. These include reducing overall cell phone use and avoiding exposure having a phone near the reproductive organs for extended time periods such as prolonged time in trouser pockets. Using hands-free devices or storing the phone away from the body whenever possible are other options.
Not to say that in 2023, the results from the journal Fertility and Sterility did not have an association between carrying a phone in one’s pants and impaired sperm quality. But Simpson says to err on the side of caution by storing your phone in a jacket pocket or work bag, rather than near your testicles. It may even be worth turning the phone off for certain time during the day, says Gittens-say, when you go to sleep, exercise, or are at work. That’s because, as Gittens points out, cell phones do emit RF-EMF even when turned off.
Also important to note: RF-EMFs are not only emitted from phones, but from laptops and other similar devices, too, adds Bielecki.
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