Does electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones affect sperm quality? Although various environmental and lifestyle factors have been proposed to explain the decline in sperm quality observed over the past 50 years, the role of mobile phones has not been established. A team has now published a major cross-sectional study on the subject. The study found that frequent mobile phone use was associated with lower sperm concentration and total sperm count. However, the researchers found no association between mobile phone use and reduced sperm motility or abnormal morphology.
Does electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones affect sperm quality? Although various environmental and lifestyle factors have been proposed to explain the decline in sperm quality observed over the past 50 years, the role of mobile phones has not been established. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), working with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), has published a major cross-sectional study on the subject. The study found that frequent mobile phone use was associated with lower sperm concentration and total sperm count. However, the researchers found no association between mobile phone use and reduced sperm motility or abnormal morphology. The results were published in Fertility and Sterility.
Sperm quality is assessed using parameters such as sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and morphology. Based on World Health Organization (WHO) reference values, a man with a sperm concentration below 15 million per milliliter is more likely to take over a year to achieve a pregnancy. In addition, the chance of pregnancy decreases when sperm concentration is below 40 million per milliliter.
Many studies indicate that sperm quality has declined over the past 50 years. Average sperm concentration has reportedly fallen from 99 million to 47 million sperm per milliliter. This trend is thought to result from a combination of environmental factors (endocrine disruptors, pesticides and radiation) and lifestyle factors (diet, alcohol, stress and smoking).
Assessing the impact of mobile phones
Could mobile phones also be responsible? After conducting the first nationwide study of sperm quality among young Swiss men in 2019, a UNIGE team published the largest cross-sectional study on this topic. It used data from 2,886 Swiss men aged 18 to 22 who were recruited at six military conscription centers between 2005 and 2018.
Working with Swiss TPH, the scientists examined associations between the men's semen parameters and mobile phone use. “The men completed a detailed questionnaire about their lifestyle, general health, frequency of mobile phone use and where they kept the phone when not using it,” explained Professor Serge Nef, full professor in the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and a member of the Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), who co-directed the study.
The data showed that frequent use was associated with lower sperm concentration. Median sperm concentration was significantly lower among men who used their phones more than 20 times a day than among those who used them no more than once a week (44.5 million versus 56.5 million per milliliter). This represents a 21% reduction in sperm concentration among frequent users (>20 times/day) compared with infrequent users (<1 time/week).
Is 4G less harmful than 2G?
The inverse association was strongest during the first study period (2005-2007) and gradually weakened over time (2008-2011 and 2012-2018). “This trend corresponds to the transition from 2G to 3G and then from 3G to 4G, which reduced the transmission power of mobile phones,” explained Martin Röösli, associate professor at Swiss TPH.
“Previous studies assessing the relationship between mobile phone use and sperm quality involved relatively few participants, rarely considered lifestyle information and were subject to selection bias because participants were recruited at fertility clinics. This led to inconclusive results,” explained Rita Rahban, senior researcher and teaching assistant in the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and first author and co-leader of the study.
Where the phone is kept appears not to matter
The analysis also suggested that phone location—for example, in a trouser pocket—was not associated with lower semen parameters. “However, too few participants in this cohort reported not carrying their phone close to their body to draw a firm conclusion on this specific point,” Rita Rahban added.
Like most epidemiological studies of mobile phone use and sperm quality, this study relied on self-reported data, which is a limitation. Reported use frequency was therefore assumed to accurately estimate electromagnetic radiation exposure. To address this limitation, a study funded by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) began in 2023. It aims to measure electromagnetic-wave exposure and types of use—calls, web browsing and messaging—directly and accurately, and assess their effects on male reproductive health and fertility potential. Data will be collected through an app downloaded to each participant's phone. The research team is actively recruiting participants.
Another goal is to better characterize the mechanisms behind these observations. Do microwaves emitted by mobile phones act directly or indirectly? Do they cause a significant rise in testicular temperature? Do they affect the hormonal regulation of sperm production? These questions remain unanswered.
News | University of Geneva study: Frequent mobile phone use may reduce sperm quality
Does electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones affect sperm quality? Although various environmental and lifestyle factors have been proposed to explain the decline in sperm quality observed over the past 50 years, the role of mobile phones has not been established. A team has now published a major cross-sectional study on the subject. The study found that frequent mobile phone use was associated with lower sperm concentration and total sperm count. However, the researchers found no association between mobile phone use and reduced sperm motility or abnormal morphology.
Does electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones affect sperm quality? Although various environmental and lifestyle factors have been proposed to explain the decline in sperm quality observed over the past 50 years, the role of mobile phones has not been established. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), working with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), has published a major cross-sectional study on the subject. The study found that frequent mobile phone use was associated with lower sperm concentration and total sperm count. However, the researchers found no association between mobile phone use and reduced sperm motility or abnormal morphology. The results were published in Fertility and Sterility.
Sperm quality is assessed using parameters such as sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and morphology. Based on World Health Organization (WHO) reference values, a man with a sperm concentration below 15 million per milliliter is more likely to take over a year to achieve a pregnancy. In addition, the chance of pregnancy decreases when sperm concentration is below 40 million per milliliter.
Many studies indicate that sperm quality has declined over the past 50 years. Average sperm concentration has reportedly fallen from 99 million to 47 million sperm per milliliter. This trend is thought to result from a combination of environmental factors (endocrine disruptors, pesticides and radiation) and lifestyle factors (diet, alcohol, stress and smoking).
Assessing the impact of mobile phones
Could mobile phones also be responsible? After conducting the first nationwide study of sperm quality among young Swiss men in 2019, a UNIGE team published the largest cross-sectional study on this topic. It used data from 2,886 Swiss men aged 18 to 22 who were recruited at six military conscription centers between 2005 and 2018.
Working with Swiss TPH, the scientists examined associations between the men's semen parameters and mobile phone use. “The men completed a detailed questionnaire about their lifestyle, general health, frequency of mobile phone use and where they kept the phone when not using it,” explained Professor Serge Nef, full professor in the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and a member of the Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), who co-directed the study.
The data showed that frequent use was associated with lower sperm concentration. Median sperm concentration was significantly lower among men who used their phones more than 20 times a day than among those who used them no more than once a week (44.5 million versus 56.5 million per milliliter). This represents a 21% reduction in sperm concentration among frequent users (>20 times/day) compared with infrequent users (<1 time/week).
Is 4G less harmful than 2G?
The inverse association was strongest during the first study period (2005-2007) and gradually weakened over time (2008-2011 and 2012-2018). “This trend corresponds to the transition from 2G to 3G and then from 3G to 4G, which reduced the transmission power of mobile phones,” explained Martin Röösli, associate professor at Swiss TPH.
“Previous studies assessing the relationship between mobile phone use and sperm quality involved relatively few participants, rarely considered lifestyle information and were subject to selection bias because participants were recruited at fertility clinics. This led to inconclusive results,” explained Rita Rahban, senior researcher and teaching assistant in the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and first author and co-leader of the study.
Where the phone is kept appears not to matter
The analysis also suggested that phone location—for example, in a trouser pocket—was not associated with lower semen parameters. “However, too few participants in this cohort reported not carrying their phone close to their body to draw a firm conclusion on this specific point,” Rita Rahban added.
Like most epidemiological studies of mobile phone use and sperm quality, this study relied on self-reported data, which is a limitation. Reported use frequency was therefore assumed to accurately estimate electromagnetic radiation exposure. To address this limitation, a study funded by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) began in 2023. It aims to measure electromagnetic-wave exposure and types of use—calls, web browsing and messaging—directly and accurately, and assess their effects on male reproductive health and fertility potential. Data will be collected through an app downloaded to each participant's phone. The research team is actively recruiting participants.
Another goal is to better characterize the mechanisms behind these observations. Do microwaves emitted by mobile phones act directly or indirectly? Do they cause a significant rise in testicular temperature? Do they affect the hormonal regulation of sperm production? These questions remain unanswered.
Story source:
University of Geneva