Private MD News

Laptops linked to male infertility

Category: Infertility Testing-Male

Researchers have linked excessive laptop use to male infertility, and recommend that men not use them directly on their laps to avoid the problem.

"Laptops are becoming increasingly common among young men wired into to the latest technology," said Dr Suzanne Kavic, director of the division of reproductive endocrinology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. "However, the heat generated from laptops can impact sperm production and development making it difficult to conceive down the road."

Kavic recommends placing laptops on desktops to prevent damaging sperm and decreasing counts and motility. Sperm quality and quantity as well as sperm motility - movement - are key to male fertility, Kavic says.
Thirty to forty percent of fertility issues are attributed to males, according to experts. Excessive high temperature is a common source of male infertility. Kavic also noted that underlying health issues and medications may be to blame for fertility issues.

There are a number of medications known to interfere with male fertility, such as anabolic steroids, cimetidine and spironolactone.
Some medications for depression and blood pressure or other cardiovascular conditions can lower libido and possibly fertility. Even fever and illness can reduce sperm viability for months afterwards, according to fertility experts.