Sunscreens Might Lead to Infertility among Men

•   December 9,2014
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In case of infertility, there is a huge number cases, almost 50%, where the male partner is the sole reason for infertility among the couple. There are different tests involved to determine the causes of infertility in men such as the quality of sperm, sperm movement and semen analysis to evaluate sperm count. 

Many other physical problems such as autoimmune problems, use of alcohol or other drugs and sexually transmitted diseases or other infections are also major causes of male infertility. Researchers and doctors have specified many reasons for the cause of infertility in both men and women. Growing age and stress are also some of the reasons sated by the physicians that lead to male infertility. Women’s growing age is the most common factor for the cause of infertility, impact of growing age in men is highly neglected all across the globe. 

The report titled “Male Infertility Global Clinical Trials Review, H2, 2014”, is a useful source of information for the research organization to explore the potentials for the treatments available for male infertility across the globe.

There have been many causes stated by the physicians causing male infertility. However, there is one more addition as a result of a new study i.e. usage of sunscreen might be leading to male infertility. 

A new study by New York State Health Department and the National Institutes of Health states that the chemicals used in the sunscreen lotion affect the body’s endocrine system and hormones, which might be a cause for infertility among men. The study projects that higher exposure to 4OH-BP or BP-2 UV filters among men, reduces the fertility rate by 30%. 

Germaine Louis, Ph.D., Division of Intramural Population Health Research director at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development explained on the NIH website that “In our study, male fecundity seems to be more susceptible to these chemicals than female fecundity. The women participants actually had greater exposure to the UV filters overall, but their exposure wasn’t associated with any significant pregnancy delays. Our next step is to figure out how these particular chemicals may be affecting couple fecundity or time to pregnancy—whether it’s by diminishing sperm quality or inhibiting reproduction some other way.”