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Warning to Men: Hot Tubs Really Will Damage Your Fertility

Men who are having trouble conceiving may want to stay out of the hot tub for awhile, according to a study by University of California researchers.

After analyzing data from infertile men who had been repeatedly exposed to high water temperatures from hot tubs, Jacuzzis, or hot baths for about 30 minutes a week, they found a strong link to their infertility.

In fact, all of the men had signs of infertility, including impaired sperm production and motility.

The good news is that the heat-induced damage appears to be reversible. When the men stopped their exposure to wet heat, total mean sperm counts increased by 491 percent after three to six months.

Among the men whose sperm counts did not increase, the researchers speculated that tobacco use may have been to blame, as most of the men whose sperm counts did not increase were chronic smokers.

International Braz J Urol January/February 2007; 33: 50-7

New York Times September 18, 2007



Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

If you know a couple that is having trouble conceiving, this is certainly a good piece of advice to pass on. For you men, it seems that simply staying out of hot water (literally!) for a while could dramatically increase your fertility.

Interestingly, male infertility was also a problem for the Roman Empire, when long soaks in heated baths were a daily routine. In fact, raising the temperature of your testicles has actually been proposed as a natural birth control method, although practical problems with the technique has kept it from becoming widespread.

For those of you planning to start a family, it’s important to be aware of the many environmental factors (many of which you have control over) that can impact your fertility.

Many couples seek out invasive fertility treatments before addressing some of the more simple potential causes of infertility, which include:
Other things that can impact fertility include heated car seats, cell phones, and toxins in your environment.

How to Increase Your Fertility

If you are experiencing fertility problems, improving your diet is an excellent first step toward remedying the problem, as without the proper nutrients, all of your body systems, including your reproductive system, will not work optimally.

Following this change with regular exercise, plenty of sleep and keeping your stress levels under control will go a long way toward helping your fertility naturally.

I would advise anyone who’s planning to have children to adhere to these principles even if they’re not having trouble conceiving, as your body will need the extra energy and support provided by a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and parenthood.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (23)
 
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
Well there you have it, folks.  Instead of using the pill or Depo-Provera, just have your man take a dip in the tub.  No worries. 
Just kidding....    :)

 
samurai
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 4/2007
samurai  
Replied

proatc
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 12/2006
proatc  
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
...and don't forget to finish it off with a nice cigarette. 

Although I prefer a cigar ;)


GregB777
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 5/2007
GregB777  
 
Posted On Sep 22, 2007
I would assume this study would also apply to hot bathtubs as well.   I love sitting in a warm bath after a long day at work!  Most relaxing.  But what the heck am I supposed to do now??!?!?


EQ
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 3/2007
EQ  
 
Posted On Sep 24, 2007
Well, we are overpopulated...


 
 
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
It makes sense since sperm tend to like cooler temperatures.  But 30 minutes a week can make a man infertile for 3-6 months.  That is a long  time for a few minutes of "pleasure"

Mary

 
mmc88121
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 11/2006
mmc88121  
 
 
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
Exposure to heat, radiation, microwaves, at out of the norm frequency cycles, etc., remains of potential damaging outcomes, whether in absorbable food and beverage nutrient values, or physical exposure tends to harm net outcomes.

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
 
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
Personally I have always disliked the Hot Tub experience. .. It always felt like it weakened my body. ..... (It never felt good in a dry sauna either), ...On the other hand I have always felt strengthened and renewed by a good steam bath followed by an ice cold shower or dip. .......... Sweating via the likes of a wet sauna or steam bath has been a multi-cultural health practice for literally thousands of years. .... I have been the recipient of steam baths for many years and never suffered any negative effects from it.  ..... In my opinion, this article may present helpful information to anyone suffering the effects of low infertility,.. but it may be misleading to assume that such practices as a steam bath are bad for  anyone's health or potency.

.... Also important to consider here is that too much of anything is not good for you, so follow your instincts.

 
shiva
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 10/2006
shiva  
Replied

Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
Excellent point, shiva.  I am also concerned about soaking in chemicals
they use to clean a hot tub, and there are some reports of people getting rashes/infections from unclean tubs. (Still.learning, I do not have a link for this.)


Katee Roux
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 7/2007
Katee Roux  
 
Posted On Sep 20, 2007
My husband & i nearly died in a hot tub due to the chemicals.  I feel so stupid about it now.  I should have known better.

A couple of years ago we were staying at my husband's uncle's place in the mountains.  They told us to enjoy the outdoor hot tub.  When i walked up the steps to it i could smell the chemicals, but i didn't think too much about it, thinking since his uncle knew we would be using it he wouldn't have just chemically loaded it.  I thought perhaps it was just because the cover was on & the chemicals hadn't evaporated off.  

We turned it on & the water began bubbling, & all those chemicals bubbled right up & into our lungs.  I was near the edge, but my husband had bounded into the middle & suddenly couldn't breathe.  I had to go in & get him, but began to think we wouldn't get out in time.  We did, & are thankful.  I think not only had his uncle just put in the chemicals, but he super-loaded it.  (They only use the cabin on weekends, & i think he overloads the chemicals to give it a week to steam off).  

We've never used their hot tub again, imagine we never will.  Especially as we'd like God to bless us with a baby or two.  : )


KAC
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
KAC  
 
Posted On Oct 11, 2007

I own a hot tub and I don't use chemicals.  I use "Spa Magic" which is a natural, chemical-free, non-toxic solution to maintain a clean hot tub.  I use a bottle every 3 months.  I check the pH and add baking soda to increase the pH at times.  I believe you can use vinegar to decrease the pH but never had to do this yet.  This is the cleanest water I have every had in my hot tub.  Spa Magic is a natural seaweed enzyme solution.  


 
 
 
Posted On Oct 11, 2007

Just wanted to comment on cell phone usage and lowered sperm counts. Cell phones are very dangerous for men because they wear them on their hip. Most cell phones radiate 8 to 10 inches. That is right in line with their prostate and testicles!!! Another culprit is lab top computers. Most men hold their computers on their laps daily. These is very dangerous, as testicular and prostate cancer is on the rise. In fact 50,000 new cases of brain and eye cancer each year is attributed to cell phone usage!! Please protect yourself and loved ones from the damaging effects of Electromagnetic radiation. Contact us for more information. www.BioPro.com/menzel. View our site thoroughly there are many articles, research, videos, and contact information. We want to help you in anyway we can. This is very real!!!


 
smenzel5
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 5/2007
smenzel5  
 
 
 
 
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