HomeNewsLate-Night Use of Gadgets Can Cause Male Infertility: Study

Late-Night Use of Gadgets Can Cause Male Infertility: Study

Research-backed

Medically Reviewed By

Have you ever heard of the 3-2-1 bedtime rule? According to this, we shouldn’t eat or drink 3 hours before bed, work 2 hours before bedtime and use electronic gadgets 1 hour before we go to sleep.

While this bedtime routine’s food and work aspect are often easy to follow, we fail in the third aspect. Now, you must be sitting here giving an excuse, “But I can’t seem to fall asleep without scrolling on my phone.”

What if we said that besides disrupting your sleep schedule, the prolonged exposure to the blue light from these gadgets before your bedtime is also responsible for causing male infertility? Sounds shocking, doesn’t it?

A recent study clarifies the reason, the possible implications, and why you need to avoid late-night usage of gadgets in the future.

Reports from the World Health Organization suggest that around 15-20% of the global population struggles with infertility. Out of that, up to 40% of the complications are triggered by male factors.

The study we are highlighting in this article was shared at the Virtual SLEEP 2020 meeting, where the results from the research indicate that prolonged late-night usage of gadgets is associated with poor sperm quality and male infertility risks.

Reports from the study indicate that the conclusions were due to the effect of the gadget’s radiation, especially smartphones, iPads, laptops, and tablets.

The study assessed three primary factors contributing to male fertility – sperm motility, sperm progressive motility, and sperm concentration. These factors were monitored with the radiations that come from the various electronic devices and media devices.

Upon a closer look, the research found that the prolonged and greater exposure of the short-wavelength light (SWL) emitted from the radiation of these devices impacts sperm motility exponentially.

The researchers also found that late-night usage of these gadgets directly impacts the sleep schedule and quality of sleep of the male participants, which also impacted the sperm count and the progressive motility of the sperm.

So, in short, it is not just the blue light emissions from these devices that one needs to be aware of. For men, the radiation from these gadgets can alter fertility and contribute to the rising risks of infertility rates globally.

Further reports from the study suggest that excessive exposure to this radiation also contributes to DNA damage and fragmentation of the sperm cells, which affect their ability to reach their destination and fertilize the egg in the female reproductive tract.

But, does this mean that a person should completely ban the usage of gadgets and electronic devices from their life? According to the researchers, controlled usage of these gadgets doesn’t impose any risks. However, the berating impacts of these entertainment devices emerge during the evening or late-night period.

What are some Science-Backed Ways to Improve Male Fertility?

Lifestyle choices and poor dietary habits have continually contributed to the declining male fertility across the globe. Pair that with the impacts caused by phone radiation as stated above and the risks are looming and quite damaging for the population in the future.

Although scientists are still 100% not sure what contributes to the rapidly declining male fertility rate, there are certain ways in which the risks can be averted naturally.

Let us discuss a few of them here:

#1 Prioritize active life and sleep schedule

A sedentary lifestyle and lack of quality sleep are two of the most common contributing factors associated with male infertility. So, the easiest way to manage this complication is by getting enough exercise done and getting quality sleep throughout the night.

Even studies found that indulging in regular exercise improved the overall sperm motility and sperm count by 45% in males struggling with fertility concerns.

#2 Avoid drug and alcohol abuse

If you have a habit of abusing drugs and alcohol or smoking excessively, be alarmed that all of these are common triggers of male infertility. Not only do they disrupt the sperm count, but it also leads to poor sperm health and motility, which can drastically impair male fertility.

Even a 2016 analysis found a direct correlation between smoking with reduced sperm count. So, if you are trying to conceive with your partner, these are the preliminary lifestyle modifications in which you need to indulge.

#3 Get enough Vitamin D exposure

Two of the most underrated factors associated with sperm health are Vitamin D and calcium levels in the body. So, ideally, if your blood levels of the two vitamins and minerals are low, consider discussing the same with your doctor.

Supplementation is considered optimal. However, uncharted or self-prescribed supplementation can do worse than good. Getting the right dosage of Vitamin D and calcium is crucial to one’s overall health and reproductive well-being.

#4 Enhance the consumption of antioxidative foods

Free radical damage or oxidative stress in the body is associated with male infertility risks. So, if you are experiencing something similar, enhance the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods, including berries, leafy greens, Vitamin C-enriched foods, etc.

Even studies support the fact that proper consumption of antioxidant-rich foods improves the overall sperm health exponentially.

#5 Improve intake of healthy fats

Healthy fats are the bane of our existence, even if you think otherwise. Our body needs good fats to function optimally. Healthy fats like polyunsaturated fats contribute to the overall sperm health. It contributes to the development of the sperm membrane.

The lack of availability of these healthy fats leads to complications pertaining to male infertility. So, discuss the options of healthy fats with your doctor. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered optimal, and they are available in fatty fish or can be taken as a supplement.

Conclusion

As we highlighted in this article, male infertility is gaining traction due to poor lifestyle choices, including late-night gadget use. Prevention is always better than cure. So, taking the needed steps ahead of your time is always a better move than repenting about the complications later. We hope this article gives you a comprehensive idea about male infertility risks and a few rectifying measures.

Avatar
Somapika Dutta (B.Sc Physiology, Honours)
Somapikar holds Bachelors Degree in Physiology from University of Culcutta. She has 6+ years of experience writing in different niches, including health, tech and lifestyle. An animal enthusiast and a raging foodie, experiencing life - one day at a time.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Exclusive content

Latest article

More article