A 2022 study found that male sperm count has fallen by more than 50% in the last 50 years. The study also found that the decline in sperm count is accelerating, with the rate of decline doubling since the year 2000.
The precise reasons behind the decrease in sperm count have remained largely unclear until now
However, recent research indicates a potential link between the use of mobile phones and reduced sperm concentration and total sperm count.
To examine the relationship between cell phone usage patterns and sperm count, researchers from the University of Geneva, in collaboration with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, analyzed data from nearly 3,000 Swiss men over 13 years. It’s worth noting that cell phone use was self-reported through questionnaires, which are known for their potential unreliability.
Impact of Phone Usage on Sperm Count
The study’s findings revealed that men who reported using their phones more than 20 times daily had a median sperm count of 44.5 million/mL, 21% lower than those using phones just once a week with 56.5 million/mL. Sperm motility and shape were unaffected by phone usage.
Diminishing Impact with Advancing Phone Tech
Interestingly, researchers found that as phone technology improved during the 13-year study, the negative effects on sperm count lessened. This is attributed to older technologies (2G and 3G) with higher transmitting power, potentially causing the initial reduction in sperm count due to electromagnetic fields, in contrast to today’s phones.
