EMF: an infertility cause you should be aware of

Recent research shows that increased exposure to wireless radiation laptop, tablet, smartphone etc. is a negative factor contributing to the modern increase of male and female infertility. What other sources of radiation appear to negatively influence? How can you protect your genitals?

Large increase in infertility rates

Infertility is now taking big dimensions worldwide. 32% reduction in sperm concentration in semen was recorded in France from 1989 to 2005 [1] and 29% reduction in Britain only during the last decade [2]. It is estimated that one in five young men aged 18-25 years produces a low sperm count, and only 5-15% of these are considered normal based on the classification by the World Health Organisation.

The large increase in infertility during recent years coincides with the corresponding increase of the populations exposure to artificial electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, wireless tablets and laptops, cell phone masts etc. and the connection is now confirmed by several studies in humans and animals.

There is a veritable flood of new studies reporting sperm damage in humans and animals, leading to substantial concerns for fertility, reproduction and health of the offspring (unrepaired de novo mutations in sperm). Exposure levels are similar to those resulting from wearing a cell phone on the belt, or in the pants pocket, or using a wireless laptop computer on the lap. BioInitiative Report 2012 [3]

Radiation and male infertility

• Negative impact on the quantity and quality of sperm due to increased use of mobile phones has been shown in many studies in recent years (Wdowiak 2007 [5], La Vignera 2011 [6], Falzone 2011 [7], Erogul 2006 [8], De Iuliis 2009 [9], Agarwal 2008 [10], 2009 [11], Mailankot 2009 [12], Yan 2007 [13], Fejes 2005 [14], Aitken 2005 [15], etc.)
• Reduced number and mobility of sperm, and increased percentage of sperm with poor morphology are usually proportional to the exposure. Eg Mobile phone use for more than four hours a day lowered the sperm count by 25% and of these only 20% were normal (Agarwal 2008 [16])
• The conclusion of the research of De Iuliis (2009 [17]) was that: "radiation in both the power density and frequency range of mobile phones enhances mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation by human spermatozoa, decreasing the motility and vitality of these cells while stimulating DNA base adduct formation and, ultimately DNA fragmentation. These findings have clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and wellbeing of their offspring."

"In the past, we applied mi-crowaves for birth control. Today we make phone calls with it. Go figure." Dr. Huai Chiang, advisor to the World Health Organization in radiation issues, Medical School of Zhejiang China [18]

• Mice exposed to radiation from cell phone masts showed abnormalities in sperm morphology at a rate 39-46%, while the control sample showed only 2% abnormalities (Otitoloju 2010 [19]).
• Study on 2012 (Avendaño [20]) showed a significant reduction in mobility of sperm and DNA fragmentation of sperm men after the 4-hour use of a laptop connected wirelessly to the Internet.
• Study of radar users showed significantly decreased concentration and sperm mobility, and increase of spermatozoa with poor morphology depending on the degree of exposure (Ye 2007 [21]).
• In another study, after five generations of mice exposed to wireless radiation (from broadcasting antennas), recorded a progressive reduction in the number of newborns which resulted in irreversible infertility (Magras & Xenos 1997 [22]).
• A study in 2010 (Li [23]) showed that men exposed to magnetic fields> 160 nT for more than six hours a day (usual exposure for those living at a distance <5 meters of power cables) were four times more likely to have problematic semen.
• BioInitiative Report 2012 further notes that "Extremely low frequency EMF effects induced due to electric(E) blankets (…) have the potential for providing excessive body heating, which may have adverse effect on sperm (Van Demark and Free 1970), leading to adverse effect on the process of embryogenesis (Edwards et al 1974,Lacy et al 1981). This high temperature could also be teratogenic in humans too (Miller et al 1978, Fraser and Skelton 1978).It is obvious that either the heat or the electromagnetic fields produced by electric or bed heating might affect the fetus."[24]

Radiation and decreased testosterone - erectile dysfunction

• In the World Assembly for Sexual Medicine in 2012, it was noted that men with erectile dysfunction are 2.6 times more likely to have mobile phones in the front pocket of their trousers. [25]
• In a study of 2010 (Meo [26]) rats exposed to 60 minutes of cell phone radiation a day resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone. The researchers said that their investigation of the subject found that: "Long-term exposure to mobile phone radiation leads to reduction in serum testosterone levels. Testosterone is a primary male gender hormone and any change in the normal levels may be devastating for reproductive and general health.".
• Another two surveys from 2010 (Salama [27], [28]) showed that mobile phones, even when in standby mode affect the function and structure of the testes, and the ejaculatory frequency.
• Qin 2014 showed that rats exposed to wireless radiation showed reduced sperm production and mobility, disorders of circadian rhythms, and reduced testosterone levels [29].
• A study from 2009 (Zhang [30]) showed lesions in the testes by prolonged exposure to wireless radiation.
• A study in 2007 (Farkhad 2007 [31]) also showed changes in testes and significantly reduced testosterone levels.

Radiation and female infertility

• As noted by Dr Andrew Goldsworthy, former lecturer London Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine: "The Agarwal study [32] showed that men using their mobiles for more than 4 hours a day had the most sperm damage. (…) anyone living or working in an environment where other people are constantly using their mobiles may be taking a similar risk. (…) Women should also have cause for concern. Whereas sperm take only 3 months to produce and are made continually in their billions, all the eggs that a woman will ever have were in her ovaries before she was born and cannot be replaced. Unlike sperm, these are definitely not expendable.”[33]
• A 2009 study (Gul [34]) found that intrauterine exposure to wireless radiation had a toxic effect on the ovaries and concluded that microwaves of cell phones will be able to reduce the number of follicles in rats with several known and undoubtedly, countless unknown mechanisms.
• Cell phone masts also appear to influence pregnancy rates. Research published by Augner found that people who lived less than 100 meters away from mobile phone antennas had higher levels of alpha-amylase enzyme in their saliva, which is an indication of increased stress levels. Newer research (Courtney Lynch) found that women with the highest levels of this enzyme in their saliva had a 29% lower chance of pregnancy compared with those with lower levels [35].

Though causal evidence of one or more mechanism(s) are not yet fully refined, it is generally accepted that oxidative stress and free radical action may be responsible for the recorded genotoxic effects of EMFs which may lead to impairments in fertility and reproduction. Free radical action and/or hydrolytic enzymes like DNAase induced by exposure to EMFs may constitute the biochemical actions leading to adverse changes in hormones essential in males and female reproduction, DNA damage, which in turn causes damage to sperm motility, viability, and sperm morphology. Such exposures are now common in men who use and who wear wireless devices on their body, or use wireless-mode laptop computers. It may also account for damage to ovarian cells and female fertility, and miscarriage in women (ELFEMF at 16 mG intermittent exposure). Bioinitiative Report 2012 [24]

In Case of pregnancy, are there effects to the fetus from artificial electromagnetic radiation?

Read our article: "Radiation: Risk for Pregnancy? Cause of autism?"..

How to determine how much radiation you receive each day

In recent years many scientific bodies have proposed new exposure limits to protect the public from artificial electromagnetic fields, based on new research showing that non-thermal radiation levels can lead to serious health effects.

You can measure the radiation you receive from wireless devices, mobile phone antennas, etc. with a high frequency radiation meter.

You can measure the radiation you receive from electricity cables, switchboards, electrical appliances, etc. with a low frequency radiation meter.

How to protect your genitals from artificial electromagnetic radiation?

• Don't put your cell phone in your pocket (or elsewhere near your genitals) even when speaking with hands free. This practice, which is the focus of the information campaign "Save the Males", plays an important role in protecting the fertility of men on the basis of studies so far.
• If you use a laptop, avoid putting it on your lap, because it exposes you to elevated electric and magnetic fields at low frequencies due to the battery cables and the electrical circuits, and high frequency electromagnetic fields due to Wi-Fi antennas. We recommended using an external wired keyboard and a laptop base, which elevates the screen at an ergonomically correct height of the head. It is preferable to operate the laptop only with the battery.
• Turn off the wireless function of the laptop, tablet and mobile when you are not using the wireless internet. Their Wi-Fi antenna is transmitting even if you are not connected to the Internet!
• If you do not want to disable the wifi antennas of smartphones, tablets or laptops we recommend that you use reflective / absorbing materials that various companies provide, to protect the genitals, eg Defenderpad (www.defenderpad.com ), Belly Armor ( www.bellyarmor.com )

• Replace the wireless connection to the internet with a wired one using a network (Ethernet) cable to connect the computer to the modem. Alternatively you can use a powerline adaptor (Broadband over power lines (BPL) or power-line Internet): put a Powerline adapter into an outlet and connect it with the modem - the other Powerline adapters are plugged into in sockets of remote rooms where you want to Internet and you connect with them your pc or laptop.
• Replace your cordless phone with a wired one or at least any wireless phone with zero radiation in standby mode (eg specific models Gigaset ECO DECT supporting function ECO +).
• In case you can't replace the cordless phone and wireless Internet connection, we advise you to switch them off at least during the night (or during sleep hours in general) and place them in areas away from high use spots.

More suggestions for reducing your daily exposure to electromagnetic radiation ..

Radiation and infertility - related links

BioInitiative Report 2012, Electromagnetic Field Exposure Effects (ELF-EMF and RFR) on Fertility and reproduction

How Does Laptop Wi-Fi Affect Male

Fertility? Fertility and Wireless Devices

Cell Phone Use Linked to Male Infertility

Warning: Why You Should Avoid Using Your Laptop as Recommended

WiFi "Laptops" affect male fertility

Laptop Wi-Fi said to nuke sperm

Sperm vs Cell Phone (video)

BBC:Heavy mobile use 'damages sperm'

Mobilize (documentary that explores the potential long-term health effects from cell phone radiation, including cancer and infertility)

Male Infertility Linked to Cell Phone EMF Exposure

Radiation from cell phones linked to erectile dysfunction

Radiation from WiFi connections can reduce sperm activity in up to a quarter of men, study finds

Is cell phone radiation a risk factor for female infertility?