Could your fertility problems be caused by your cell phone.

Are you dealing with fertility problems? Maybe you should reconsider your cell phone…

EMF exposure has been linked to a plethora of health issues. If you don’t know what EMF’s are, see my blog post ‘What Are EMF’s and Why Should I Care?’

In my experience as a Holistic Nutritionist, I know there are many reasons why a couple has a hard time conceiving. Clients frequently ask me “What supplements should we take?” “What should we be eating?” “Are my hormone levels ok?” These are all important considerations. When a couple is trying to conceive, it’s important that both parties have a healthy foundation from the start.

While anxious ‘wanna-be’ parents will often take extreme measures to increase their chances of conception, how many of them are willing to forgo their cell phone? That’s right, your cell phone could be contributing to your infertility problems. As a Building Biologist, I caution every client about the dangers of Electromagnetic Fields. This could be from WI-FI, fitness trackers, smart speakers, cell phones, or any other wireless devices (not to mention house wiring, power lines and wired electronics). If you still don’t believe that these devices can cause health problems, it’s time you took a hard look at the science. Non-native EMF exposure has been linked to:

Oxidative Stress[1]
Cardiovascular Disease[2]
Cognitive Decline[3]
Behavioral Issues[4]
Impact on the Microbiome[5]
Neurological Damage[6]
Asthma[7]
…and much more. If you haven’t yet taken at look at the Bioinitiative Report, I suggest you do so. You can find it

Of course, this article is about fertility; so let’s talk about hormones and sperm quality. I’m looking at you, guy that keeps his phone in his pocket. You may find it hard to believe that the simple act of keeping your phone in your pocket could affect your sperm, but the science is pretty clear. For example, in 2016 researchers looked at 27 studies that were conducted on sperm quality and exposure to EMF’s. Of those 27 studies, 21 reported negative impact.[8] They reported significant declines in sperm motility, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, and increased damage to DNA.

A 2017 study done in Jordan assessing cell phone impact on semen quality found that proximity to a telecommunication tower was associated with lower sperm volume; increased time sending and receiving texts was associated with decreased sperm count; and carrying a cell phone in a pants pocket was associated with lessened sperm motility.[9] Need more proof? There is no shortage of scientific studies that have shown similar results. Please reference the endnotes if you’d like to dig deeper into the science.[10], [11], [12]

As if this wasn’t bad enough, scientists have also made a correlation between cell phone use and male hormones. One study done on Wistar rats in 2010 concluded:

Long-term exposure to mobile phone radiation leads to reduction in serum testosterone levels. Testosterone is a primary male gender hormone and any change in the normal levels may be devastating for reproductive and general health.[13]

A 2010 study done on rabbits showed similar results. Researchers found that testosterone levels decreased after being exposed to the magnetic fields similar to those of a cell phone, for 2 hours daily for 2 weeks.[14] Consider how many hours per day the average guy has his phone in his pocket- likely a lot longer than 2 hours.

Ladies, you’re not off the hook! Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. The health of your reproductive system is not immune to these modern technologies either. Not only is it dangerous to the developing fetus[15], but scientists have shown that female hormones are also negatively affected by EMF exposure.[16] There are many factors that contribute to the connection between EMF’s and female fertility. I will go into depth on this in Part II.

For now, there is good news for all of us. Reducing our exposure to non-native EMF’s will help protect us against these insults and increase our chances of conceiving. Reducing the time you use and carry your cell phone is not that hard to do. I acknowledge there may be a deep psychological addiction to the constant ‘pings’ your phone puts out, but you’re better than that right? I find that when people actually reduce their phone usage, they suddenly have a lot more time to do the things they’ve putting off, specifically, the things that bring them true joy. You might find that you exercise more, you get outside more often, you start that art project you’ve been wanting to do, you see your family more often- and actually talk to them! Face-to-face!

I’m not suggesting you throw your phone in the river, but you should be attempting to cut down your usage. For starters, keep your phone in airplane whenever you don’t need it, and turn it off. This will eliminate both radio frequencies and magnetic fields. You can turn it on a few times a day to check messages if needed. If that isn’t practical for you, and you need to have phone access more often, consider getting a corded landline. They do still exist, and they do still work. If you require mobile access, keep your phone in airplane mode as much as possible, and keep it as far away from your body as possible. Gradually start to cut back on your use, and you’ll find you can live without it. In fact, you might find you have a strong desire to throw it in the river! And who knows- maybe you’ll get a chance to start that family you’ve been dreaming of!

Need more help in identifying the sources of your EMF exposure? Give us a call or schedule an appointment with us today, we’d love to help!

Cathy Cooke, BCHN, BBEC Holistic Nutritionist and Building Biologist is the founder of Whole Home and Body Health which provides EMF Assessments, Mold Testing, and Nutrition and Health Consulting located in Boise, Idaho. Cathy is available for consulting via skype and phone, and is also willing to travel as needed for home assessments. Schedule an appointment today!

Could Your Fertility Problems Be Caused by Your Cell Phone?