Laptops can cause male infertility; keeping cell phones in trouser pockets can hinder fertility.
**Laptops can cause male infertility.**
Laptops are becoming increasingly common, especially among young people. Wherever they go, whether they want to look up information or play games, they simply sit down, place their laptops on their laps, and use them for half an hour or even longer. However, a recent study from American researchers shows that the heat generated by laptops can raise the temperature of the scrotum, potentially affecting semen quality. Researchers warn that prolonged use in this manner could lead to a decrease in sperm count and infertility in men.
In this study, 29 male volunteers aged 21 to 35 participated in the experiment. The results showed that when these participants placed an unopened laptop on their laps, their scrotal temperature increased by 2.1°C. During laptop use, the scrotal temperature increased by 2.6°C, and the internal temperature of a running laptop can reach over 70°C. Prolonged use of a laptop with the laptop resting on the lap is a significant contributing factor to decreased sperm count in men.
As is well known, sperm in the testes generally require a temperature between 35.5℃ and 36℃ to develop normally. Therefore, the testes of male animals act as a "cold storage," located outside the body and needing to be kept at a temperature lower than body temperature. If the temperature rises, it will inevitably cause spermatogenesis disorders and lead to infertility. Taking the above experiment as an example, when using a laptop, the testicular temperature will become 36℃ + an increase of 2.6℃ = 38.6℃. Consider the following experiment: To verify the effect of testicular heat on sperm, Australian researchers conducted a steam bath experiment at 39℃-40℃. They found that sperm were very active for a week, but the sperm count decreased after a week, and remained low for five weeks. This proves that not only the high temperature of a steam bath, but also prolonged soaking in a hot water bath, can reduce the amount of sperm in the testes.
Experts have observed that when a man is sitting with his legs open, the temperature of his scrotum is 1.6°C lower than when his legs are together. If he stands up, the temperature drops by another 0.5°C. Wearing loose underwear can lower the temperature by another 0.5°C, and exposing the scrotum can lower it by 1.6°C.
Experts predict that the number of laptop users in the United States will reach 60 million next year, and globally, the number will reach 150 million. As laptop performance continues to improve, more and more teenagers are favoring them. Experts advise teenage males and men planning to have children to minimize the number of times they place their laptops on their laps while using them.
Author: Cao Xingwu, Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Sexual Medicine
**Keeping your phone in your trouser pocket can hinder fertility.**
Reports that "radio waves emitted by mobile phones are absorbed by the human body, resulting in mobile phone radiation" have attracted attention, and some studies have found that long-term mobile phone use may affect male fertility.
Adjusting your diet can also help increase sperm count and improve sperm quality, especially by eating more sunflower seeds.
From a Western medical perspective, eating more zinc-rich foods is not only beneficial for the prostate but can also increase sperm count, while vitamin E also helps improve sperm quality. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, zinc-rich foods have a kidney-tonifying effect and are very helpful in improving male fertility.
Dr. Li Haisong, director of the Department of Andrology at Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, recommends sunflower seeds as a highly effective zinc-rich food, suggesting they be eaten regularly as a snack. Other good sources of zinc include nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, and pine nuts. Seafood, including fish, shrimp, loach, squid, and sea cucumber, is also rich in zinc. Tomatoes are particularly recommended, as they are rich in lycopene, which is beneficial for the prostate. Furthermore, men should drink plenty of water to promote toxin elimination and prevent urinary tract infections.
American scientists have discovered that many plants and health foods can help increase sperm count and improve sperm quality. Regularly eating pumpkin leaves and seeds, white onions, ginger, and other foods, along with appropriate physical exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and not drinking excessively, can also help men improve sperm quality.
Low sperm quality can be permanent or temporary. There are many reasons for temporary low sperm quality, including sexually transmitted infections, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, overwork, high-temperature environments, tight underwear, insomnia, and work and emotional stress. Patients can improve their sperm quality through a healthy lifestyle.
By Zhao Qingqing, reporter for Health Times
Supporting Expert: Li Haisong, Director of the Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine