 News
5th March 2007
Hot baths affect male fertility
Having a long, hot soak could reduce male fertility, according to new
research.
A US study over three years found that 'overheating' sperm in this way
could adversely affect sperm counts.
The researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, said
although it had been believed for decades that 'wet heat' could damage
fertility, there had been very little research.
Volunteers were recruited from a fertility clinic if they were exposed
to more than 30 minutes a week of wet heat such as baths, jacuzzis and
hot tubs.
After three to six months of staying out of the tub, sperm counts in
5 of 11 men soared by 491 per cent, and an increased motility from 12
to 34 per cent.
Of the men who showed no response to the changes, 5 out of 6 were chronic
smokers which the researchers say could account for their lack of response.
Study leader, Dr Paul Turek, director of the UCSF Male Reproductive Health
Center said, "These activities can be comfortably added to that list of
lifestyle recommendations and 'things to avoid' as men attempt to conceive."
He added that if men could improve their fertility through avoiding hot
baths, couples may be able to avoid IVF or choose less invasive treatment.
"Couples really prefer having kids at home and not with technology. This
is a way to help them do that."
According to Dr Turek, the only other published study looking at the
link between hot baths and fertility was done in 1965.
Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield
said "Ideally, this study needs to be repeated with a much larger number
of patients, and with a clearly defined control group, before we can be
certain that hot baths are a genuine risk factor for male sub-fertility
"Changes in sperm quality are one thing, but it is pregnancies that matter.
"However, it would do no harm for men who are concerned about their fertility
to take a shower instead of a bath."
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