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Reproductive Health

Combined effects of varicocele and cell phones on semen and hormonal parameters.

No Effects Found

Schauer I, Mohamad Al-Ali B. · 2017

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Cell phone storage in pants pockets significantly affects sperm quality independently of other reproductive health conditions.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied 468 men at an infertility clinic to see if carrying cell phones in pants pockets combined with varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum) would worsen sperm quality more than either condition alone. They found that both cell phone storage in pants pockets and varicocele individually affected sperm parameters, but the two factors didn't amplify each other's effects. This suggests that keeping your phone in your pants pocket affects sperm quality independently of other reproductive health issues.

Study Details

The objective of this study was to evaluate if there is a combined effect of varicocele and cell phone storage in trousers pockets on semen and hormonal parameters.

A retrospective analysis of 468 men attending an infertility clinic from 1993-2007 was performed. Va...

There was a significant effect of cell phone storage in trousers pockets and varicocele in multivari...

This analysis showed an inverse relation between sperm concentration and degree of varicocele, with lower concentrations in higher grade varicoceles. Testosterone was significantly higher in higher grade varicoceles, which could reflect a compensatory mechanism to the impaired testicular function. Cell phone storage in trousers pockets showed an effect on LH and sperm morphology. A combined effect of varicocele and cell phone storage in trousers pockets was not detected.

Cite This Study
Schauer I, Mohamad Al-Ali B. (2017). Combined effects of varicocele and cell phones on semen and hormonal parameters. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2017 Oct 13. doi: 10.1007/s00508-017-1277-9.
Show BibTeX
@article{i_2017_combined_effects_of_varicocele_3369,
  author = {Schauer I and Mohamad Al-Ali B.},
  title = {Combined effects of varicocele and cell phones on semen and hormonal parameters.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29030685/},
}
PubMed: 29030685

Cited By (7 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

No, a 2017 study of 468 men found that carrying phones in pants pockets and having varicocele (enlarged scrotal veins) don't amplify each other's effects on sperm. Both conditions independently affect sperm quality, but they don't create worse combined damage to reproductive health.
Research shows these factors don't combine to worsen sperm concentration. A study of 468 infertility clinic patients found that varicocele severity independently reduces sperm count, while phone storage in pants pockets affects sperm shape, but the two don't create additive negative effects.
Phone storage in pants pockets specifically affects sperm morphology (shape) and hormone levels, while varicocele primarily impacts sperm concentration and testosterone. The 2017 study found these are separate effects - phones don't worsen the sperm concentration problems caused by varicocele.
Yes, carrying phones in pants pockets significantly affects LH (luteinizing hormone) levels regardless of varicocele presence. The study found phone storage independently influences both LH and sperm morphology, while varicocele separately affects testosterone levels through different biological mechanisms.
Yes, research shows men with higher grade varicoceles have significantly higher testosterone levels, which researchers believe represents a compensatory response to impaired testicular function. This hormonal adaptation occurs independently of any effects from carrying phones in pants pockets.