Excess Use Of Smartphones Affects Male Fertility

Assisted fertility programs are on the rise globally, and more couples face fertility challenges in their journey to get pregnant. Male infertility is, unfortunately, not as well explored as female infertility. Recent studies suggest that the excess use of smartphones could be one reason behind lowered male fertility rates in the last decade. Researchers believe that electromagnetic radiation from smartphones could affect sperm quality. Also, the more time spent with smartphones, the more severe the effects are. Do read to know how to mitigate this risk and be a ‘smart’ smartphone user.

Smartphones have taken over the world by storm.

Did you know that there are more phones in the world than humans?

Smartphones have made the lives of people easy and hassle-free all around the world.

However, the physiological and psychological effects of being around smartphones all the time are a constant cause for concern for healthcare experts worldwide.

Cell phones emit low levels of radio frequency (RF) signals, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF signals as possible carcinogens (agents that cause cancer).

Male Fertility and Smartphones: What We Know So Far

Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive a child naturally after one year or more of having unprotected sex.

Both males and females go through infertility challenges.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 9% of American males have fertility issues, and in one-third of all couples who seek help, male infertility is the cause.

Poor semen quality remains the most common cause of male infertility issues.

The following are some of the reasons for poor semen quality.

Low sperm count
Low sperm motility (movement)
Abnormal size or shape of sperm

Studies suggest that increased use of smartphones may have affected male fertility rates in the last decade.

Experts believe constant exposure to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by phones may affect the male reproductive system by increasing scrotal temperature and oxidative stress.

These, as a result, lead to poor sperm quality and fertility issues.

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The Study: Association Between Self-reported Phone Use And Semen Quality

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility analyzed the relationship between mobile phone usage and semen quality in young men.

Study Design

A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted between 2005 and 2018 to analyze the effect of cell phone usage on male fertility levels.

The study was conducted in six andrology laboratories close to military recruitment centers where the researchers identified participants.

Study Participants

In Switzerland, all men aged 18 to 22 must attend a compulsory military camp to study their fitness to serve the country.

A total of 2886 such young Swiss men were recruited for the study, and the researchers collected their biological samples.

The participants also filled out a questionnaire that asked them questions about their cellphone usage.

Study Observation

According to the study, men who used their phones more than 20 times daily had the lowest sperm concentration (SC) and total sperm count (TSC).

The median values of SC and TSC in men who used their phones >20 times/day were 44.5 Mio/mL and 120 Mio, respectively.

In comparison, the median values of SC and TSC in men who used their phones <5 times/day were 56.5 Mio/mL and 153.7 Mio.

The study reports that men who use their phones >20 times/day have a 30% and a 21% increased risk of having low SC and TSC values, compared to WHO reference values.

Limitations And Future Direction

The study's primary limitation is that mobile phone usage was measured using self-reported questionnaires.

Hence, the study's accuracy depends on assuming the participants answered truthfully.

Also, the study didn’t include how the participants used their phones (texting, calling, browsing).

The amount of RF energy emitted by a phone depends on its model, generation, the quality of the network, the proximity to the nearest base station, and the use of earphones, among others. This study did not delve into these details.

The researchers conducted the study in three timeframes - 2005 to 2007, 2008 to 2011, and 2012 to 2018. Cellphone technologies have changed drastically in these periods; however, this wasn’t considered in the study.

What Are The Health Risks And Implications Of Reduced Male Fertility?

Low male fertility decreases the chance of couples conceiving a child naturally.

Psychologically, reduced male fertility may cause lower self-esteem, increased anxiety and stress, and increased somatic symptoms (excess focus on specific physical symptoms).

How do we mitigate the impact of using smartphones on male fertility?

In today’s world, staying away from smartphones may not be a practical solution.

Hence, the following steps may help mitigate the impact of cellphone radiation on male fertility.

Use hands-free devices like earphones as much as possible.
Use the phone in speaker mode whenever you can.
Avoid keeping the phone in the pant pockets.
Always keep the phone away from your body when not used.
Avoid making calls when the network is poor, as it increases the RF power transmitted.

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Summary

Cell phones have become integral parts of people’s lives, but the physical and psychological effects of excessive use of phones are a cause for concern globally.
A recent study suggests cellphone usage could have caused a decrease in male fertility rates in the last decade.
According to this study, the number of times smartphones are used daily may be inversely proportional to sperm concentration (SC) and total sperm count (TSC).
The study reports that men who used their phones >20 times/day had less than average SC and TSC levels than men who used their phones <5 times/day.
Using hands-free devices when possible, talking in speaker mode, and avoiding keeping phones in pant pockets are ways to mitigate the risks of low male fertility due to radiation exposure.