POOR lifestyle habits, exposure to pollutants, certain medications, and some viral infections were tied to decreased semen quality in a new umbrella review.1
Researchers identified a total of 67 risk factors associated with infertility and abnormal sperm parameters, warning that risk factors for male infertility are on the rise.
Risk Factors for Lower Semen Quality
Researchers analysed a total of 43 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, scoring effect sizes using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool.
Type 1 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hyperthyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic prostatitis, and leukocytospermia were found to potentially increase the risk of abnormal semen parameters.
Lifestyle factors, including obesity, sleep disorders, and smoking, were also linked to lower semen quality.
Alongside these habits, exposure to carbon disulfide, organophosphates, and lead, as well as the use of sulfasalazine, mesalazine, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were tied to decreased quality of semen.
Even some viral infections – SARS-CoV-2, human papilloma virus, and hepatitis viruses – were similarly associated.
Alternatively, regular physical exercise, eating nuts, and healthy diet patterns were found to potentially reverse the process.
Can Mobile Phone Usage Influence Fertility?
The frequent use of mobile phones has also been suggested to have adverse effects on semen parameters, due to electromagnetic radiation exposure.
Several studies indicated an association between mobile phone use and declines in sperm motility.
Through nonthermal mechanisms, this could be explained by an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species, which could subsequently damage DNA.
In terms of thermal mechanisms, storing a mobile phone near reproductive organs, for example, in a front pocket, could increase testicular temperature and impede sperm production.
Although, no statistically significant changes in sperm count have been recorded in this context.2, 3
Implications for Clinical Care
Researchers pointed to reduced exposure to the relevant risk factors and implementation of timely interventions in helping prevent male infertility.
They reported, however, that meta-analyses of risk factors often fail to account for significant confounding variables, calling for further analyses to include more prospective studies and exclude those of low quality.
References
1 Wang Q-H et al. Current risk factors for male infertility and semen parameters: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Asian J Androl. 2026;28(3):284–296.
2 Adams JA et al. Effect of mobile telephones on sperm quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2024;37:57–78.
3 Anderson V, Rowley J. Measurements of skin surface temperature during mobile phone use. Bioelectromagnetics. 2007;28:159–62.
Featured image: Andrii Oleksiienko on Adobe Stock
