Does Laptop Use Affect Sperm Count?

Over the last 40 years, scientists have observed a dramatic trend in Western men—their sperm counts have fallen by over 50%. Not only do lower sperm counts contribute to reproductive difficulties for men, but lower sperm counts may also indicate lower overall health.

There are many reasons why sperm counts may be falling among Western men. Of these, some of the likely culprits cited by researchers include smoking, stress, obesity, lack of exercise, and exposure to toxins. But what about the technologies we use daily? For example, do laptops affect sperm count and reproductive health?

As electronic devices such as laptops become widely used, scientists are starting to uncover how these devices may be detrimental for men’s fertility and overall reproductive health. There are four primary mechanisms by which a laptop could potentially harm a man’s reproductive health. They are:

Heat generated from a laptop used near a man’s testicles can kill sperm and lower his sperm count.
The electromagnetic radiation emitted by technologies used in laptops, such as Wi-Fi, may contribute to increased levels of DNA fragmentation in a man’s sperm cells.
Electromagnetic radiation emitted by laptops may adversely affect sperm cells, leading to decreased sperm motility in men.
Some evidence suggests that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by laptops negatively impacts testicular function and leads to lower testosterone levels in men.

Any one of these issues on its own is enough to make you want to think twice before using a laptop. When taken as a whole, it becomes clear that men need to be cautious about how and how often they are using laptops.

In this guide, I will discuss the research supporting each of the issues listed above. Once I’ve explained the science behind the dangers of laptop radiation on men’s health, I’ll provide some tips on how to use a laptop safely.

Laptop Heat Kills Sperm Cells

As it turns out, our testicles hang outside of our body for a very specific reason. Our testicles need to stay cool in order to function properly and in order to keep our sperm alive and healthy. Science has understood for millennia that overheating in the testicles kills sperm.

Due to the effects of hyperthermia on a man’s sperm count, it’s important to take precautions to avoid overheating your genitals. Scientists who looked at the effect of laptop use on men’s sperm counts found that using a laptop on your lap dramatically increases the temperature of your testicles. In turn, this dramatic increase in temperature kills sperm cells and reduces a man’s overall sperm count.

Laptop Radiation Can Cause DNA Fragmentation in Sperm Cells

While the thermal effects of laptop use on sperm count are the most obvious to identify, the radiation emitted by laptops is also harmful for sperm. Modern laptops have several onboard technologies that emit nonionizing radiation in the form of radiofrequency waves. These technologies include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Recently, studies have shown that the radiation emitted by laptops can cause DNA fragmentation in sperm cells.

DNA fragmentation refers to the denaturing of the DNA carried by sperm cells. The fragmentation of DNA in sperm cells causes sperm to be unviable and contributes to male infertility.

Laptop Radiation Can Harm Sperm Motility

In addition to DNA fragmentation, laptop radiation also hinders sperm motility. When scientists in several studies exposed semen samples to radiation like the kind from laptops and cell phones, they found that the sperm did not travel as far or as quickly after it had been exposed to the radiation.

Sperm motility is generally recognized as a positive indicator of healthy sperm. Poor sperm motility may contribute to infertility issues in men.

How Laptop Radiation Can Lower Testosterone

While the exact mechanism is not well understood, scientists have recently found that radiation, like the kind from laptops, can negatively impact a man’s testosterone levels. In one study, scientists found that men who used radiation-emitting technologies like laptops near their genitals had lower testosterone levels than those who did not use such technologies.

What Can Be Done

Stop Using Your Laptop on Your Lap

The first thing I recommend to everyone, especially men, is to stop using your laptop on your lap. By simply increasing the distance between your genitals and your laptop, you can greatly reduce your exposure to a laptop’s radiation, as well as the heat it produces. Instead of your lap, try sitting at a desk where your laptop will be a couple of feet from your genitals.

Anti-radiation Underwear

Recently, I made the switch to anti-radiation underwear. You can read all about my journey here. Briefly, anti-radiation underwear act like a thin barrier between your nether regions and the radiation in the environment. Anti-radiation underwear blocks up to 99% of radiation from passing through. If you’re worried about the impact of radiation on your reproductive health, then consider some of these super stylish anti-radiation briefs by Lambs. They’re slick, they fit well, and they are super soft.

In Defense of Manspreading

If you’re serious about keeping your genitals cool, then consider manspreading. One study found that sitting with your legs closed is a major cause of testicular hyperthermia in men. By spreading your legs apart when you sit down, you can give your testes the room they need to breath and boost your sperm count in the process.