Do laptops cause infertility?

Dear Scared,  

Whether you’re studying for exams, video-calling your best friend, or just scrolling, laptop and cellular device usage has become very common! It’s understandable that you’re concerned about whether this usage can have downstream effects on your fertility. Though minimal, research done on this topic suggests that direct exposure of laptops to your testicles can affect sperm that’s produced, which can then affect fertility. Read on to learn more about how laptop use can negatively affect sperm quality and what you can do to reduce your risk of infertility accordingly.  

Can laptops affect fertility in those assigned male at birth (AMAB)?   

In short, it can. The heat and electromagnetic radiation produced by laptops may affect the ability of the testicles to produce sperm due to hyperthermia, or overheating, of the testicles and scrotum. The scrotum protects the testicles which house sperm. When the testicles become too warm, they can’t produce as many healthy sperm.  

In studies testing testicular temperature, it was found that heat from laptops placed on laps raised the temperature of the scrotum by up to three degrees Celsius. This is enough to have negative effects on sperm quality. These studies suggest that minimizing direct exposures between laptops and testicles may reduce this potential risk of infertility. 

Can other devices influence AMAB fertility?   

Similar to laptops, it’s thought that the radiation from Wi-Fi and cellular devices could have a negative effect on fertility in those AMAB. The high frequency waves emitted from Wi-Fi can alter the genetic material of cells, including those of sperm. One laboratory study found that exposing sperm cells in a petri dish to Wi-Fi damaged the DNA, mobility, and shape of the sperm. This can reduce the quality of sperm and make it harder for fertilization with an egg to occur. That said, this linkage needs to be further studied. 

Is there anything else that can influence fertility for those AMAB? 

A lot can influence fertility besides laptop exposure, including biology, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Underlying health conditions can negatively influence fertility in those AMAB, specifically conditions that affect the testicles or how the sperm moves. Additionally, fertility can be affected by conditions that involve the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland. These are glands that release hormones which cause the testicles to produce testosterone and ultimately sperm. If these glands are harmed, it could lower the amount of sperm in the body, which can therefore decrease fertility.  

In addition to laptops and other technological devices, other environmental factors can affect fertility in those AMAB. For example, exposure to toxins or chemicals that come from living close to industrial factories.  

What can you do to reduce your risk of infertility as someone AMAB?    

Practices that reduce direct exposure of your testicles to laptops and other devices may be one way to reduce risk. Consider trying to: 

• Reduce how often you place your laptop on your lap.
• Prop your laptop on a desk or table.
• Keep your legs slightly apart when sitting upright or loosely cross your ankles if you’re sitting in a reclined position.
• Use a cellphone case.
• Reduce how often and how long your phone stays in your pockets.  

List adapted from Verywell Health 

There are also lifestyle changes that can be adopted that may increase the health of your body and your sperm, including:  

• Managing stress, as stress can impact the hormones your body needs to produce sperm and enjoy sexual activities.
• Limiting alcohol consumption, as alcohol use can lower sperm counts.
• Limiting smoking and consumption of other drugs, as drug use can lower sperm counts as well.
• Keeping your body cool, as lower scrotal temperatures aid testicles in producing higher quality sperm.
• Wearing loose fitting clothing, as tight and restrictive clothing can irritate the testicles and impact the quality of sperm produced.
• Preventing and treating STIs, as some untreated STIs like gonorrhea can cause infertility. 

List adapted from Mayo Clinic  

All this to say, while raising the temperature of the testicles is a noted concern for fertility in those AMAB, it may take some time to understand the impact laptop use is playing. If you're still interested in learning more about your fertility in particular, you might consider speaking with a health care provider. They may be able to talk through your situation and suggest some testing to understand if there’s anything to be concerned about.  

Until then, safe surfing so your sperm can keep swimming!