Doctor Warns Men to Reduce Phone and Laptop Exposure as Male Infertility Cases Rise

A growing number of young men are facing fertility challenges, and a Ghanaian medical expert says everyday habits may be part of the problem.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day, Dr Roland Padi Ayertey, Medical Director at Elimmas Health, explained that keeping phones and laptops too close to the body could affect sperm quality due to radiation from these devices. He noted that this adds to several lifestyle and environmental factors already linked to declining male fertility.

According to him, low sperm count has many causes. He pointed to environmental toxins, smoke inhalation, chemical fumes, micro particles in the air, poor nutrition, tight underwear, and prolonged exposure to electronic devices. All these, he said, can interfere with what he called the male “engine of production.”

Dr Ayertey said the rising cases are alarming. In the past, he explained, doctors only saw a few men with very low or no sperm, but now a significant number of younger men are reporting poor sperm quality or complete absence of sperm. Although treatments are available, he stressed that progress takes time because sperm formation requires about 75 days. This delay often frustrates men, and many stop taking their medication after only a month.

He added that men sometimes struggle psychologically during treatment because improvements take longer to show, while women may see quicker results from their fertility treatments.

Globally, sperm counts continue to drop, driven by habits such as alcohol consumption, smoking, long hours of sitting or driving, placing laptops directly on the lap, and exposure to pollution. Poor diets further worsen the situation.

Dr Ayertey encouraged men to take simple steps that can help protect their fertility. These include regular medical check ups, reducing device exposure, eating balanced meals, cutting down on alcohol and tobacco use, and choosing looser underwear.

He stated that male fertility is shaped by daily choices, not just sperm numbers. Experts also emphasise that early awareness is important because fertility issues usually go unnoticed until couples begin trying to conceive. Routine checks and healthier lifestyle decisions, they say, can play a key role in prevention.