Study shows cell phone can affect sperm quantity | Wellbeing | MIDDLE NORTH

A survey of the University of Geneva, in collaboration with the Institute of Public and Tropical Health, reveals that excessive use of cell phones can affect sperm production in men, resulting in lower concentration and total quantity of sperm. The study, published in Fertility and Sterility magazinewarns of the potential risks to reproductive health male due to frequent use of electronic devices.

The search. Researchers analyzed data from 2,886 men recruited into military service between 2005 and 2018, collecting semen samples and information on lifestyle habits, including use of cell phones. It was found that men who accessed their cell phone more than 20 times a day showed a significant reduction in concentration and total sperm countincreasing the risks of parameters below the minimum normal values ​​established by the WHO by 30% and 21%, respectively.

What did they find? No consistent associations were found between cell phone use and sperm motility (the ability of the sperm to move until it finds the egg) or sperm morphology (shape). sperm. These findings highlight the importance of limiting excessive cell phone use to preserve male reproductive health.

“The study shows that there were cases of men with sperm count and concentration parameters well below those established by the WHO, which means they were abnormal”, says, in an interview with CNN Brasil, gynecologist Roberto de Azevedo Antunes, responsible for Conjugal Infertility Outpatient Clinic at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and director of the Brazilian Association of Assisted Reproduction (Sbra).

Study shows relationship between cell phone use and sperm production (Photo: Unsplash)

Individual perception. The study does not specify the criteria for determining the cell phone usage time. Because information was collected through a general questionnaire, each volunteer’s individual perception of what constitutes “use” may vary.

Why does it happen?

Although the study shows an association between the increased use of cell phones and a lower quantity of sperm, it is still not fully understood how and why this occurs, which prevents us from saying that cell phone use is the direct cause of the problem.

The researchers observed that men with lower sperm concentration and total sperm count also had less healthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption, which are known risk factors that can negatively affect overall health, including reproductive health. .

The study is a warning about lifestyle

Antunes highlights that, although it is not possible to say that the electromagnetic waves from cell phones are the cause of the problem, the results are an alert to issues related to male lifestyle. “Several studies show that the longer we use screens, the greater the risk of becoming overweight, maintaining unhealthy habits (such as drinking and smoking) and not doing physical exercise. This gives us a real warning, after all, a sedentary lifestyle and obesity are associated with worsening semen quality. Regardless of the technological issue, one thing leads to another and excessive cell phone use can be another risk marker for worsening reproductive health,” she says.

Most people keep their cell phones in their pants pocket

A total of 85.7% of men reported keeping their cell phone in your pants pocket when they were not using it, while 4.6% left it in jackets or other places, and 9.7% chose to keep it in places off the body. The study revealed that the position where the cell phone was kept had no association with semen volume, sperm motility or morphology.

“From a care point of view, we ask that men not leave their cell phone in use in their pocket (to listen to music, for example) because the device heats up, releasing more electromagnetic waves close to the testicle and this is not appropriate. Our advice is, whenever possible, to take your cell phone out of your pocket and place it on a table, further away from your body”, warns Zylbersztejn.

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