Laptops: Totally burning up your sperm

Men who use laptops and hope to conceive should take note- the devices are being implicated in a fertility-hampering rise in scrotal temperatures.

The heat from laptops can adversely affect sperm quality, and according to a recent study conducted by the State University of New York, men might not even feel the semen-baking temperatures:

The researchers, led by Dr Yefim Sheynkin, a urologist at the State University of New York, hooked up thermometers to the scrotums of 29 young men who placed a laptop on their knees while using it. They found that even with a lap pad under the computer, the men’s privates overheated quickly.

“Millions and millions of men are using laptops now, especially those in the reproductive age range,” Dr Sheynkin told Reuters Health. “Within 10 or 15 minutes their scrotal temperature is already above what we consider safe, but they don’t feel it,” he added.

Dr. Sheynkin was non-committal on the level of risk from laptops on sperm overall, and said the use of laptops isn’t likely to lead to long-term fertility impairment. However, it was recommended that men experiencing issues with infertility use a table for their laptops or barring that, sit in a position less likely to cause testicle overheating.