Healthcare professionals believe that consistent use of laptops and mobile devices can harm both men’s and women’s fertility, although studies remain limited.
Dr. Kalyani Shrimali of Nova IVF, Indore, states that ovaries prefer a cooler environment to properly execute their function. When you place a laptop directly on your lap, the heat around your pelvic region may harm your ovaries.
Heat and/or radiation from phones or laptops may affect hormones or egg quality over time. Dr. Bhavana Girish of Motherhood Fertility, Bangalore, suggests that radiation from Wi-Fi and devices may be detrimental to ovaries or affecting egg count.
Ongoing exposure may lead to reduced levels of AMH and affect menstrual regularity in women. The blue light emitted from screens can impact sleep, which will eventually affect hormones that regulate cycles and ovulation.
Ultimately, using a laptop on your lap raises the temperature of the scrotum, and will generally reduce sperm quality or quantity. Dr. Nidhi Tripathi of Birla Fertility, Noida, explains that using a laptop on the lap can increase the scrotum temperature by up to 5.1°C. Dr. Tripathi noted that the mobile phone radiation may damage sperm DNA, especially in men with some genetic disorder or physical ailments.
This low-level of electromagnetic radiation can reduce sperm motility and result in DNA fragmentation among sensitive people. Poor sleep quality due to daily screen time reduces melatonin levels, which protects sperm from oxidative injury. Inactivity and digital fatigue will influence hormones and testicular health over time.
Experts suggest that laptops are used on desktops or tables, and not directly in your lap. Do not put your mobile phone in your pants pocket- keeping it closer to reproductive organs- or a little higher up (on the counter) will be preferable.
Do not rely on phones and laptops, especially just before you sleep. Experts recommend avoiding screen time during the two hours before sleep to protect melatonin levels and maintain your circadian cycle.
If tablets or mobile phones are unavoidable, let desktop use dictate as much as possible for environmental protection to reduce heat exposure.
Carry the phone and other devices in your bag rather than in pocket or on your body.