Does A Laptop Harm Your Sexual Health?

 

Men often worry about their sexual health especially as they grow older, but now it is becoming a growing concern among the younger generation. While problems with performance and even penile size will always be some of the most common concerns of men at any age, fertility is now becoming an issue with men under the age of 40. A man’s sperm count is not only important to their sexual health, but also for their emotional well being. It is often seen as a sign of a man’s virility and it also affects his ability to father a child.
There are several different factors that can affect a man’s sperm count, including diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits. While all of these contributing issues can be addressed and corrected, many men never consider whether or not their laptop could also be affecting their sexual health. This everyday device that almost all men use continuously, could be having a negative effect on a man’s sperm count.
Does a Laptop Harm Your Sexual Health?
In a study performed by researchers and urologists in 2004, it was discovered that holding laptop computers on the knees could be affecting male fertility. With an estimated 20 percent of all couples who are trying to become pregnant unable to do so, it was noticed that a majority of the problem with infertility could be traced to men and had been occurring only in the past few decades. One of the main causes of low sperm counts are temperatures around the scrotum that are higher than his core body temperature. The higher temperatures can be caused by wearing tight, restrictive underwear and frequent prolonged use of hot tubs and saunas. While these causes for elevated scrotum temperatures are already well documented, researchers also found another way more men are experiencing low sperm counts. In the study researchers included 29 physically healthy men aged 21 to 35 for one hour periods in a controlled environment.
What the Study Learned
With all of the men participating in the study dressed similarly, researchers recorded their body temperatures and then allowed them fifteen minutes to become adjusted to the constant room temperature. To ensure accuracy in their results, all of the men were given laptop computers with only some of them actually in working order. Once the participants had balanced the devices on their laps, researchers removed the non functioning computers. This was done to ensure that body temperature did not change according to which subject’s laptop would be turned on.
For the hour long session, participants help the computers on their laps with their scrotal temperature being automatically recorded every three minutes. At the end of the hour long period, the results of the test were recorded. Researchers were surprised to discover that both groups of men experienced a rise in scrotal temperature, which adds more support to the theory that sitting for long periods of time can cause a man to experience a decline in his sperm count. It was noted that the men who did hold a working computer in their laps experienced a more drastic increase in scrotal temperature, around 2.7 degrees Celsius or 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preventing Infertility Problems From a Laptop
Researchers with the study are also quick to point out that will holding a computer on the lap can cause a decrease in a man’s sperm count, it is normally not the only factor. Several things can also cause the temperature to rise in his scrotum, and laptops normally only add to the existing problem. One way to help prevent laptops from causing a problem is to not place it across the upper legs or groin area. While using a desk or table is not always an option, placing the laptop closer to the knees can help prevent a dramatic rise in scrotal temperatures.
Conclusion
Laptop computers are a integral part of daily lives, and the chances of men never placing these devices on their laps is rather slim. While it is always best to never restrict air flow to the testes, there are times when it can be difficult to avoid. For men who are worried about their sperm counts and ability to father a child, simply remember that only a one degree change in temperature can cause up to a 40 percent decrease in your sperm count.