This article explains what scientists have learned about the connection between laptop use andmale infertilityand ways to lower the risk.
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What Research Says About Laptops and Infertility
Heat
This is important because a key role of the scrotum is to keep the temperature of the testicles lower than the temperature of the body. The testicles are the organs that produce sperm. When the testicles are too warm, they can’t produce as much sperm, and quality of that sperm is lower.
Electromagnetic Fields
Other research has found exposure to Wi-Fi can cause harm to the testicles that in turn may:
Impact on Fertility
The idea laptops may play a role in male infertility is controversial. Despite findings about how heat and EMFs affect the temperature of the testicles and the quality and quantity of sperm, more research is needed to prove there’s a direct link between laptop use and male fertility.
That said, studies suggest the longer the testicles are exposed to a laptop and the closer the device is to the genitals, the higher the risk of damage to sperm and fertility. For these reasons, if you’re a male who typically uses your laptop on your lap, there are several things you can do to help protect your fertility:
Other things you can do to protect your fertility include:Wear loose pants and underwear.Avoid hot baths and saunas.Maintain a healthy weight.
Other things you can do to protect your fertility include:
Summary
Research shows there’s a possible link between male infertility and laptop use. Studies have found the heat from a laptop can raise the temperature of the testicles when propped on man’s lap, which can affect the production of sperm. There also may be a link between the electromagnetic fields around a laptop that can affect the quality of sperm.
There is not yet scientific proof of a direct link between laptop use and male infertility. Even so, it can’t hurt for men to cut back on the amount of time they use a laptop on their laps or thighs and to take other measures to protect their fertility.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sheynkin Y, Jung M, Yoo P, Schulsinger D, Komaroff E,Increase in scrotal temperature in laptop computer users.Human Reproduction.2005;20(2):452–455, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh616Sheynkin Y, Welliver R, Winer A, Hajimirzaee F, Ahn H, Lee K.Protection from scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer users.Fertility and Sterility. 2011;95(2):647-651. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.10.013Avendaño C, Mata A, Sanchez Sarmiento C, Doncel G.Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation.Fertility and Sterility. 2012;97(1):39-45.E2. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.10.012
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sheynkin Y, Jung M, Yoo P, Schulsinger D, Komaroff E,Increase in scrotal temperature in laptop computer users.Human Reproduction.2005;20(2):452–455, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh616Sheynkin Y, Welliver R, Winer A, Hajimirzaee F, Ahn H, Lee K.Protection from scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer users.Fertility and Sterility. 2011;95(2):647-651. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.10.013Avendaño C, Mata A, Sanchez Sarmiento C, Doncel G.Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation.Fertility and Sterility. 2012;97(1):39-45.E2. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.10.012
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sheynkin Y, Jung M, Yoo P, Schulsinger D, Komaroff E,Increase in scrotal temperature in laptop computer users.Human Reproduction.2005;20(2):452–455, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh616Sheynkin Y, Welliver R, Winer A, Hajimirzaee F, Ahn H, Lee K.Protection from scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer users.Fertility and Sterility. 2011;95(2):647-651. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.10.013Avendaño C, Mata A, Sanchez Sarmiento C, Doncel G.Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation.Fertility and Sterility. 2012;97(1):39-45.E2. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.10.012
Sheynkin Y, Jung M, Yoo P, Schulsinger D, Komaroff E,Increase in scrotal temperature in laptop computer users.Human Reproduction.2005;20(2):452–455, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh616
Sheynkin Y, Welliver R, Winer A, Hajimirzaee F, Ahn H, Lee K.Protection from scrotal hyperthermia in laptop computer users.Fertility and Sterility. 2011;95(2):647-651. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.10.013
Avendaño C, Mata A, Sanchez Sarmiento C, Doncel G.Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation.Fertility and Sterility. 2012;97(1):39-45.E2. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.10.012
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