There are many reasons that people eschew adopting technology, including heavy cell phone usage. First, it can be quite risky to use a cell phone during driving. It can also be socially rude to sit in company chatting or texting… all the while avoiding one’s companions! And some medical professionals are even saying that it can have a significant impact male infertility.
A recent study on men who were talking on their cell phones an “excessive” amount of time showed higher-than-normal levels of testosterone and lower levels of LH, a reproductive hormone. Thus, their sperm counts (and amount of healthy sperm) were significantly decreased, enough to cause male infertility in some.
The problem, according to Queen’s University, Australia, researchers appears to be abnormal testosterone levels associated with very high cell phone usage. Of course, why this is happening isn’t cut and dry. That’s why studies are being conducted across the globe to address the strange phenomenon. After all, it could be that men with naturally higher testosterone levels engage in more intense cell phone usage than their counterparts with lower testosterone levels.
Until it’s clear whether or not cell phones are, indeed, a contributing factor to male infertility, it may be a good idea to follow these simple guidelines, which are safety-first anyway:
1. If you cannot be free from your cell phone, you may have the beginnings of a problem or true addiction. Take breaks from being “on call” 24/7, as it will be good for your mental health, if nothing else!
2. Don’t keep your cell phone in your front pocket or on your lap. Some research has shown that low levels of radiation are emitted from cell phones; thus, they should be kept far away from genitalia.
3. If you’re having trouble with male infertility, don’t stop using your cell phone, but do ask your fertility specialist if he or she thinks it could be a problem. Not all will agree with the researchers, but it’s worth considering every possibility.