Men with Mobiles Risk Infertility

National Infertility Awareness Week runs October 29-November 4, so I thought it befitting to share this story with those of you who want to be parents someday.

The Daily Mail published an article on a recent study that suggests men who use mobile phones are risking infertility. The study links poor sperm counts with the number of hours a man spends talking on his mobile phone. Those who spent more than four hours a day on a cell phone had the worst sperm counts.

Electromagnetic radiation or heat generated by the handset may be the culprit. Professor Ashok Agarwal said, "Somehow electromagnetic waves may be causing direct damage to these cells and that perhaps causes a decrease in sperm production."

According the the study released by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, they divided 360 men into three groups based on their sperm count levels. Those who spent more than four hours on a mobile had a 25 percent lower sperm count than those who never used a mobile. Men who carry their phones on a belt or in a pocket may be at higher risks of exposing their groin to harmful radiation and heat. The professor also notes that sending text messages uses less power than talking, but can emit intense radiation, especially on trains.

"I've seen men on trains spending two or three hours continually texting with their mobile phones held in their laps, and they press 'Send' in the same position when it starts to seek a signal. This needs a considerable amount of power within what is effectively a metal box. We advise people to send a text with their arm outstretched next to the window when traveling on a train," he said.

So as a precaution for parents-to-be, text less, talk on the land line, and don't carry your cell phone in your pockets.