Below, are my comments on the article and the full text of the published article, auto-translated into English. A comment, expanding on the harms due to exposure of wireless devices of the reproductive area of the body, was submitted to the Tribune de Genève, but not published.
The analysis focused on sperm parameters, volume, sperm concentration, total number as well as motility and morphology. The article states that the conclusion of the study: "Higher frequency of cell phone use, more than 20 times per day, was associated with lower sperm concentration."
Dr. Del Vento cites the World Health Organization (WHO) whose "reference values [of infertility] are 15 million sperm per milliliter (ml) on average. This figure corresponds to the minimum required. The study observed a concentration of 44.5 million sperm per ml among young people who use their phone more than 20 times a day compared to 56.5 million among those who use it less."
Followed by: "We can therefore reassure the population: there is no proven increase in infertility, even if the analysis of the data shows that the risk could increase in the event of very frequent use of the mobile phone."
He believes the causes of infertility are "rather sociological". "It's good to inform people but you have to know how to deliver the information correctly, not trivialize it but not alarm the population either."
The usual causes of infertility are mentioned: sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, smoking,,. while ignoring other factors related to EM radiation exposure.
He mentions that technology has changed since 2018 and that "cell phones deliver less energy". The study focuses on cell phones, but it's not just the time spent on a cell phone that counts, but also the length of time the phone remains switched on close to the body, for example, in a trouser pocket or bra. What's more, a laptop, tablet or iPad placed on the lap and connected to wi-fi exposes sensitive parts of the body to electromagnetic waves, classified by the WHO as "possibly carcinogenic". Exposure to radiation from these devices can also have a negative impact on female fertility, increasing the risk of miscarriage during pregnancy. Precautions regarding the use of these devices are often included in the manufacturers' instructions for use.
EM waves can also have an impact on other aspects of health, such as the long-term development of cancers, and generate the unpleasant symptoms of electrohypersensitivity, which affects around 10% of the Swiss population.
The cell phone industry does everything it can to minimize the risks in order to derive maximum profit from its products and services. The Swiss Federal Council has not even set up active monitoring of radiation emissions from cell phones. The Phonegate scandal has shown that many of the most popular phones emit radiation in excess of the limits set by European regulations.
There is now a trend towards halting research on the harm of exposure to EM radiation. In February 2023, the Environmental Health Trust and colleagues published a review of more than 200 studies that linked wireless radiation to negative biological effects including oxidative stress and DNA damage, cardiomyopathy carcinogenicity, sperm damage, memory damage and other neurological effects.
The authorities and medical personnel are lax in warning people of the dangers of exposure to the waves emitted by mobile devices, tending to minimize risks.
Tribune de Genève article
Fertility Study
Cell phone use affects sperm quality
by Judith Monfrini , tdg.ch, January 16, 2024 - auto-translation
A study by the University of Geneva, carried out nationally on young recruits, establishes a link between frequency of use and spermatozoa.
(Photo): Human sperm observed under a microscope (illustrative photo).
GETTY IMAGES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY RF
A national study of young men establishes a link between frequency of use and sperm. Published in October 2023 by the University of Geneva (UNIGE), this study was carried out among 2,886 recruits aged between 18 and 22 in six army recruitment centers.
Participants delivered a sperm sample and completed a questionnaire about their health and lifestyle, including the number of hours they spent using their cell phone as well as where they placed it when not using it.
The analysis focused on sperm parameters, volume, sperm concentration, total number as well as motility and morphology. Conclusion: Higher frequency of cell phone use, more than 20 times per day, was associated with lower sperm concentration.
Should we be concerned about the results of this study? We asked the question to a gynecologist specializing in infertility at the University Hospitals of Geneva, Doctor Federico Del Vento.
Doctor Del Vento, what does this study inspire you?
I find the number of participants in the study interesting – more than 2,800 – it’s a large sample. But it nevertheless remains modest, considering the theme covered. It is difficult to extend these results to the entire population. More couples should be involved.
In addition, it covers telephone use between 2005 and 2018 and technology has evolved a lot since then. We do indeed see a reduction in the sperm concentration but we are still far from the risk of infertility.
The World Health Organization reference values are 15 million sperm per milliliter (ml) on average. This figure corresponds to the minimum required. The study observed a concentration of 44.5 million sperm per ml among young people who use their phone more than 20 times a day compared to 56.5 million among those who use it less.
We can therefore reassure the population: there is no proven increase in infertility, even if the analysis of the data shows that the risk could increase in the event of very frequent use of the mobile phone.
One in six couples suffer from infertility in Switzerland, which means that after a year of regular intercourse, they still have no children. Doesn't cell phone use increase this risk? What do you notice in your practice?
The increase in infertility in the general population is not verified at the clinical level. The world population is constantly increasing and in our countries, the causes are rather sociological.
Since the 1950s, women have fortunately emancipated themselves and thanks to contraception, they decide whether to become pregnant. I start from the idea that a couple's self-determination is positive, that they can freely organize their reproductive life. It's good to inform people but you have to know how to deliver the information correctly, not trivialize it but not alarm the population either.
Are you less concerned about the cell phone and its consequences than other factors regarding infertility?
A sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse or obesity are proven causes of infertility which worry us much more. I notice that it is becoming difficult to tell people: “Madam or Sir, you must stop smoking, limit your alcohol consumption, avoid consuming toxic substances and practice moderate physical activity to improve your health and fertility.”
I have the impression that a few years ago, patients listened to doctors. Currently, giving advice on healthy living, eating better, seeing a dietician, doing sport, too often seems like a judgment. All these factors affect the quantity of sperm and their quality.
Should young men be given cautionary advice, such as not putting the phone in their pocket?
What matters, it seems according to the study, is the number of telephone uses per day, i.e. more than twenty times per day. But it should be noted that technology has changed since 2018 and that cell phones deliver less energy. Apart from lifestyle, age also has an influence on infertility. At 25, 35 or 45 years old, it is not the same for women but also for men, we see a progression of certain alterations in the spermogram.
Original article in French:
https://www.tdg.ch/der-familles-lusage-du-telephone-portable-affecte-la-concentration-du-sperme-570072582596
by Judith Monfrini , tdg.ch, January 16, 2024 - auto-translation
A study by the University of Geneva, carried out nationally on young recruits, establishes a link between frequency of use and spermatozoa.
GETTY IMAGES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY RF
A national study of young men establishes a link between frequency of use and sperm. Published in October 2023 by the University of Geneva (UNIGE), this study was carried out among 2,886 recruits aged between 18 and 22 in six army recruitment centers.
Participants delivered a sperm sample and completed a questionnaire about their health and lifestyle, including the number of hours they spent using their cell phone as well as where they placed it when not using it.
The analysis focused on sperm parameters, volume, sperm concentration, total number as well as motility and morphology. Conclusion: Higher frequency of cell phone use, more than 20 times per day, was associated with lower sperm concentration.
Should we be concerned about the results of this study? We asked the question to a gynecologist specializing in infertility at the University Hospitals of Geneva, Doctor Federico Del Vento.
Doctor Del Vento, what does this study inspire you?
I find the number of participants in the study interesting – more than 2,800 – it’s a large sample. But it nevertheless remains modest, considering the theme covered. It is difficult to extend these results to the entire population. More couples should be involved.
In addition, it covers telephone use between 2005 and 2018 and technology has evolved a lot since then. We do indeed see a reduction in the sperm concentration but we are still far from the risk of infertility.
The World Health Organization reference values are 15 million sperm per milliliter (ml) on average. This figure corresponds to the minimum required. The study observed a concentration of 44.5 million sperm per ml among young people who use their phone more than 20 times a day compared to 56.5 million among those who use it less.
We can therefore reassure the population: there is no proven increase in infertility, even if the analysis of the data shows that the risk could increase in the event of very frequent use of the mobile phone.
One in six couples suffer from infertility in Switzerland, which means that after a year of regular intercourse, they still have no children. Doesn't cell phone use increase this risk? What do you notice in your practice?
The increase in infertility in the general population is not verified at the clinical level. The world population is constantly increasing and in our countries, the causes are rather sociological.
Since the 1950s, women have fortunately emancipated themselves and thanks to contraception, they decide whether to become pregnant. I start from the idea that a couple's self-determination is positive, that they can freely organize their reproductive life. It's good to inform people but you have to know how to deliver the information correctly, not trivialize it but not alarm the population either.
Are you less concerned about the cell phone and its consequences than other factors regarding infertility?
A sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse or obesity are proven causes of infertility which worry us much more. I notice that it is becoming difficult to tell people: “Madam or Sir, you must stop smoking, limit your alcohol consumption, avoid consuming toxic substances and practice moderate physical activity to improve your health and fertility.”
I have the impression that a few years ago, patients listened to doctors. Currently, giving advice on healthy living, eating better, seeing a dietician, doing sport, too often seems like a judgment. All these factors affect the quantity of sperm and their quality.
Should young men be given cautionary advice, such as not putting the phone in their pocket?
What matters, it seems according to the study, is the number of telephone uses per day, i.e. more than twenty times per day. But it should be noted that technology has changed since 2018 and that cell phones deliver less energy. Apart from lifestyle, age also has an influence on infertility. At 25, 35 or 45 years old, it is not the same for women but also for men, we see a progression of certain alterations in the spermogram.
Original article in French:
https://www.tdg.ch/der-familles-lusage-du-telephone-portable-affecte-la-concentration-du-sperme-570072582596
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