Men’s Reproductive Health: Cell Phones, Sperm and Fertility
A 2017 analysis of over 40, 000 men in 50 countries found a 52.4% sperm decline in men from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Environmental exposures from plastics to chemicals to cell phone and Wi-Fi radiation are likely an important reason for this decline. Animal studies in female animals have found impacts to ovaries and the female reproductive system as well.
A 2020 study found men who reported using their phone more in the evenings had a reduced concentration of sperm, and their sperm were more lacking in “motility” – the ability to swim correctly. “Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation emitted from mobile phones is one factor associated with these changes, the scientists said,” in the article “Men who use smartphone at night are damaging their fertility.”
Consistent evidence from experimental research, epidemiological studies and in vitro (cells) laboratory, and in vivo (animal) studies shows that the radio frequency radiation exposure from wireless devices is associated with men’s reproductive health issues including:
“Our results indicate that exposure to RF-EMF produces increases in testicular proteins in adults that are related to carcinogenic risk and reproductive damage. In light of the widespread practice of men carrying phones in their pockets near their gonads, where exposures can exceed as-tested guidelines, further study of these effects should be a high priority.”
Cell phones have also been linked to erectile dysfunction (ED). In a 2013 study published in the Central European Journal of Urology, men with ED carried switched-on cell phones for longer periods of time (average of 4.4 hours daily) than men without ED (average 1.8 hours daily).
“The epidemiological studies of men assessed for infertility were consistent in demonstrating decreased sperm motility associated with increased use of mobile phones” and “biological effects on sperm motility related to RF exposure”.
—The BC Center for Disease Control 2013 Report, A Radiofrequency Toolkit for Environmental Health Practitioners.
Environmental Impact on Semen Quality – What is the Role of Non-ionizing Radiation? Lecture by Hagai Levine, MD
Scientific Imaging of Cell Phone Radiation: Lecture clip by Dr. Devra Davis
1. Read the Fine Print All device manufacturers advise that each device should be held at some distance away from human bodies and brains. Turn the Power OFF on phones, tablets, Mp3 players etc, before they are placed in a pants pocket, suit jacket or tucked into clothing.
2. Prefer Non-Wireless Connections For phone (landline), internet, printer and entertainment gear, connect by cord or cable with all wireless features off. Turning off your Wi-Fi at night reduces your exposure significantly. However if you have Wi-Fi on during the day (especially with the router near your body in your office) you could be getting daily significant exposure. Installing fully wired systems eliminates this source completely.
3. Increase Distance Keep wireless devices away from your lap! Do not place your cell phone, laptop or tablet on your lap. Decrease your exposure by increasing your distance from emitting sources. Remember that even if a device is not in use, it will still emit regular short bursts of microwave radiation.
4. Turn It Off When Not in Use You can easily decrease your exposures by turning off wireless networks and devices whenever you aren’t actively using them. Remember that DECT home phones, wireless routers and gaming consoles all emit microwave radiation regardless of whether you are actively using a device. Gaming consoles need to be completely unplugged to eliminate the radiation output.
5. Practice Safe Phone When you must use a mobile phone, put in Airplane mode/Wi-Fi OFF when not in use and use a speaker phone, headset or a plug-in earpiece. When you use your cell phone do not rest it near your body. Trade in your home cordless phone for a good old fashioned landline with a wired handset and use that more often. Remember that children should not use mobile phones except in emergency.
6. Drive Safe Power OFF in vehicles. Mobile devices distract us and a split second is all it takes. In terms of radiation exposure, they emit higher power radiation during travel and the metal surroundings create radiation hotspots. If your cell phone is on, do not rest your cell phone on your lap while driving. Place it as far away as possible.
“In this study, we reviewed structural and functional proteomic changes related to EMF exposure. Reported changes are categorized based on main affected tissue and also the most important adverse effects. Overall, these results demonstrate significant effects of radio frequency-modulated EMF exposure on the proteome…”
Exposure to wireless radiation has a cumulative effect. Each time we can make the choice to reduce radiation it makes sense. Sometimes we have a choice and sometimes we don’t. If you make these simple changes you can reduce your exposure significantly.
Please share this information with your friends and family and learn more ways to reduce exposure.
Research
Effects of electromagnetic waves emitted from 3G+ wi-fi modems on human semen analysis.
“Electromagnetic waves (EMWs) emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems cause a significant decrease in sperm motility and velocity, especially in non-progressive motile sperms. Other parameters of semen analysis did not change significantly.EMWs, which are used in communications worldwide, are a suspected cause of male infertility. Many studies evaluated the effects of cell phones and wi-fi on fertility.”
“To our knowledge, no study has yet been done to show the effects of EMWs emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems on fertility.Our study revealed a significant decrease in the quality of human semen after exposure to EMWs emitted from 3G+wi-fi modems.”
The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function
Among a total of 27 studies investigating the effects of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system, negative consequences of exposure were reported in 21. Within these 21 studies, 11 of the 15 that investigated sperm motility reported significant declines, 7 of 7 that measured the production of reactive oxygen species documented elevated levels and 4 of 5 studies that probed for DNA damage highlighted increased damage, due to RF-EMR exposure. Associated with this, RF-EMR treatment reduced antioxidant levels in 6 of 6 studies that studied this phenomenon, while consequences of RF-EMR were successfully ameliorated with the supplementation of antioxidants in all 3 studies that carried out these experiments.
We propose a mechanistic model in which RF-EMR exposure leads to defective mitochondrial function associated with elevated levels of ROS production and culminates in a state of oxidative stress that would account the varying phenotypes observed in response to RF-EMR exposure.
Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Our analyses indicate negative associations between mobile phone exposure on sperm viability and motility. The effects on concentration are more equivocal. Further research is required to quantify these effects more precisely and to evaluate the clinical importance of the risk to both sub-fertile men and the general population.
Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RFEMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study, Fertil Steril.
“Radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones may lead to oxidative stress in human semen. We speculate that keeping the cell phone in a trouser pocket in talk mode may negatively affect spermatozoa and impair male fertility.”
Immunohistopathologic demonstration of deleterious effects on growing rat testes of radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional Wi-Fi devices.
Significant increases in serum 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels and 8-hydroxyguanosine staining in the testes of the experimental group indicating DNA damage due to exposure (p < 0.05).
Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation.
Ex vivo exposure of human spermatozoa to a wireless internet-connected laptop decreased motility and induced sperm DNA fragmentation by a nonthermal effect.
Cell phone usage and erectile function
Badereddin Mohamad Al–Ali, Johanna Patzak, Katja Fischereder, Karl Pummer, Rany Shamloul, Cell phone usage and erectile function, Cent European J Urol. 2013; 66(1): 75–77.
There was no significant difference between both groups regarding age, weight, height, and total testosterone .Men with ED were found to carry their ‘switched on’ cell phones for a significantly longer time than those without ED, 4.4 ±3.6 vs. 1.8 ±1 hours per day.
Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro
In step with increasing SAR, motility and vitality were significantly reduced after RF-EMR exposure, while the mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation were significantly elevated (P<0.001). Furthermore, we also observed highly significant relationships between SAR, the oxidative DNA damage bio-marker, 8-OH-dG, and DNA fragmentation after RF-EMR exposure.
“These findings have clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and wellbeing of their offspring”.
Pathophysiology of cell phone radiation: oxidative stress and carcinogenesis with focus on male reproductive system.
“This review identifies the plasma membrane as a target of RF-EMW. In addition, the effects of RF-EMW on plasma membrane structures (i.e. NADH oxidase, phosphatidylserine, ornithine decarboxylase) and voltage-gated calcium channels are discussed.
We explore the disturbance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism caused by RF-EMW and delineate NADH oxidase mediated ROS formation as playing a central role in oxidative stress (OS) due to cell phone radiation (with a focus on the male reproductive system).
This review also addresses: 1) the controversial effects of RF-EMW on mammalian cells and sperm DNA as well as its effect on apoptosis, 2) epidemiological, in vivo animal and in vitro studies on the effect of RF-EMW on male reproductive system, and 3) finally, exposure assessment and dosimetry by computational biomodeling”.
The Effects of Cell Phone Waves (900 MHz-GSM Band) on Sperm Parameters and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rats.
Sperm viability, motility, and total antioxidant capacity in all exposure groups decreased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05).
Increasing the duration of exposure from 2 to 3 weeks caused a statistically significant decrease in sperm viability and motility (p<0.05).
“CONCLUSION: Exposure to cell phone waves can decrease sperm viability and motility in rats. These waves can also decrease sperm total antioxidant capacity in rats and result in oxidative stress.”
Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro.
In step with increasing SAR, motility and vitality were significantly reduced after RF-EMR exposure, while the mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation were significantly elevated (P<0.001). Furthermore, we also observed highly significant relationships between SAR, the oxidative DNA damage bio-marker, 8-OH-dG, and DNA fragmentation after RF-EMR exposure.
“These findings have clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and wellbeing of their offspring”.
Effects of the exposure to mobile phones on male reproduction: a review of the literature.
Review of Research: “The results showed that human spermatozoa exposed to RF-EMR have decreased motility, morphometric abnormalities, and increased oxidative stress, whereas men using mobile phones have decreased sperm concentration, decreased motility (particularly rapid progressive motility), normal morphology, and decreased viability. These abnormalities seem to be directly related to the duration of mobile phone use.”
2.45 GHz Microwave Irradiation Adversely Affects Reproductive Function in Male Mouse, Mus musculus by Inducing Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress.
Significant decrease in sperm count, sperm viability, decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter, degeneration of seminiferous tubules. Reduction in testicular 3β HSD activity and plasma testosterone levels and increased expression of testicular i-NOS was observed.
These “adverse reproductive effects suggest that chronic exposure to microwave radiation may lead to infertility via free radical species-mediated pathway.”
