Doctors warn men to turn their car's heated seat off, as their fertility could be at stake.
Car's Heated Seat Could Affect Male Fertility
The warning comes with the fear that the popular device feature could boost the testes' temperature and adversely affect the production of sperm.
All over the world, heated seats are becoming more common in vehicles. They are notably popular during this time of the year as temperatures go below zero.
Though the idea of warming up one's private parts during a drive through winter may sound pleasant and comfortable, sperm production of quality requires testicles to be much more relaxed compared to the rest of the body.
According to Professor Allan Pacey from the University of Manchester, they have known for a long time that testicle heating through wearing tight pants or sitting down for prolonged periods behind the steering wheel could decrease sperm production.
On top of this, Professor Pacey also warns against using heated blankets during the winter season, especially for those trying to plan for a pregnancy with their partners.
Dr. Channa Jayasaen, who is from the Imperial College London, explains that anything that increases the temperature of the testes can damage sperm to a certain extent. This would make them less likely to fertilize eggs. However, occasionally, using electric blankets and heated car seats should not be an issue.
Male Infertility
Male infertility can result from low sperm count, blockages that prevent sperm delivery, or abnormal sperm function. Lifestyle choices, chronic health issues, illnesses, and other factors could also affect male fertility.
The primary sign of male infertility is the inability of a child to be conceived. Other than this, no obvious symptoms or signs could be observed.
However, there are cases where there is an underlying issue, such as hormonal imbalance, hereditary disorders, dilated veins surrounding the testicle, or a condition that blocks sperm passage. Other signs and symptoms may include sexual function problems, lumps, swelling, or pain in the testicle region, an inability to smell, recurrent respiratory infections, decreased body or facial hair, abnormal breast growth, and an unusually low sperm count.
The condition is quite common, affecting over five million couples in the US alone. It affects one in six couples who try to conceive. In at least half of infertility cases, a male factor could be the major cause. This implies that 10% of males across the US who try to conceive are dealing with infertility.
Read also: Male Infertility: Scientists Discover One Underlying Reason Why Some Men Cannot Make Sperm
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