Research-backed
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If you see your partner climb into bed at night with his smartphone or laptop, put a stop to that behavior right away. It’s not only a buzzkill but may also be harmful for his sperms.
Woah! We get it. You may need some context as to why someone asks you to make sure your man doesn’t do something as basic as carrying their digital device to bed. Here’s why!
A recent study suggested a significant correlation between the use of electronic devices and the decreased sperm quality in men. Being exposed to light-emitting devices leads to reduced sperm motility in men who use their phones or tablets relatively more at night (1).
According to studies, a man’s sperms when exposed to the electromagnetic energy transferred by radiation from smartphones reduces sperm motility, structural anomalies and increases oxidative stress, which can damage the DNA. This holds relevance when men have excessive exposure to light from electronic devices, further resulting in low sperm count. In addition, the research suggests a rise in the use of mobile devices, laptops, and wireless internet services such as Wi-Fi & routers across the world that emit an extensive amount of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The EMR further alters the male reproductive-endocrine mechanisms, which affect the testicular functions required for producing testosterone and sperm construction. It is also said that the higher the exposure to the SWL (short-wavelength light) emitted from such devices, the bigger the odds of men having immotile sperm. And as one can imagine, the repercussions of this are dire, to say the least — as this habit takes away from sleep time, negatively impacting the total sperm count and sperm motility (2).
All-in-all, the light emitted from devices like cell phones, laptops, and tablets can not just interrupt the sleep cycle but also stop the sperms from reaching the destination, causing an increase in male infertility rates. After which, it can take several years for the sperm production to bounce back to normal, and sometimes, sperm production can reduce permanently (3).
We are already familiar with many external factors that may cause infertility in men, including smoking, consumption of alcohol, or other drugs. But the recent studies also suggest that using smartphones and other electronic devices is just as toxic. Hence it’s essential to recognize the causes and symptoms leading to a reduction in sperm count before treating them.
Below we discuss a few ways that can help reduce the screen time at night:
1. Make It A Habit To Keep The Cell Phone Away At Night
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One of many reasons men like using a mobile or tablet right before bedtime is because they are very dependent on it. But your partner needs to understand how harmful it is for his body! So take it upon yourself to keep your cell phone on the nightstand or someplace away right before you and your partner get into bed. Once you get acquainted with this habit, your sleep cycle will get better, and you will get more time to rest — away from the radiations affecting your body.
2. Take Time Out To Browse Through The Phone Earlier In The Day
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While late-night use of electronic media is a big no-no, this shouldn’t stop your partner from browsing through the phone earlier in the day or evening. As the study suggests, men need to limit the exposure as much as possible but don’t have to give up on it entirely. To ensure good health, making tiny changes to reduce serious damage to hormones will only help your partner follow a routine, which will benefit him in the long run.
3. Visit A Healthcare Professional To Know More
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Several risk factors are associated with having low sperm count and male infertility, which can be stressful in the long run. It is most advisable for men who are dependent on digital devices to learn how to curb the usage and find ways to counter the after-effect of severe exposure to these devices by visiting a medical practitioner. This way, you and your partner are well-aware of everything you can do to avoid the radiations causing decreased fertility in men.
There is a rise in infertility in men in recent years. The use of mobile devices, computers, or tablets during the evenings and right before bedtime could be the probable cause for low motility and sperm count. So it’s better to stop the late-night use of electronic media devices entirely and see how your man can achieve a healthier sleep-pattern at night!
