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I haven't posted anything for a while, so here's a lighthearted topic to get you thinking.
Chat about EMF's has been getting louder over the last few years, and rightly so. How do we know we aren't frying our fertility in the pursuit of ease and instant connection?
A few years back, a homeopath and her family in England started to experience nosebleeds, headaches and dizziness after a 3G mobile phone mast was put up outside their home (1). We are now on 5G wireless technology, have mini masts in the forms of routers in the majority of homes and have masts masquerading as trees.
Infertility in the US is estimated to effect one in eight couples (2), the NHS reports this number as being one in seven for the UK (3).
Studies (4) have shown that EMF's pose a risk to sex hormones, testicular function, embryonic & foetal development and pregnancy.
"many in vivo and in vitro studies have revealed that EMF exposure can altercellular homeostasis, endocrine function, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal systems. Reproductive parameters reported to be altered by EMF exposure include male germ cell death, the estrous cycle, reproductive endocrine hormones, reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, early embryonic development, and pregnancy success."
While it is certain that there is a risk, the effects of EMF's vary depending in the frequency, duration of exposure, and strength of EMFs (4). With global fertility in decline we need to question to what extent the constant barrage of EMF's is contributing to our reproductive health.
IMPACT ON FEMALE FERTILITY
Although female fertility is more complex than male fertility, conceiving a baby is takes two and the sperm quality is just as important as the egg quality. Bearing this in mind, it is puzzling that there is less research on EMF's and female reproductive health.
Some studies have concluded that women should limit their exposure to EMF's for as long as possible during pregnancy (5) due to the impact on cell function and growth. Bearing this in mind, it follows that a greater risk is present when preparing for conception and trying to become pregnant.
IMPACT ON MALE FERTILITY
A study published in Human Reproduction Update (6) suggests that average sperm count has dropped by 51.6% between 1973 and 2018. While this decline isn't entirely due to EMF's (lifestyle factors such a smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and stress also play a part), the growth in the mobile phone industry alongside our increased reliance on technology, can certainly indicate a contribution.
Other studies (7,8) have shown an alarming correlation between duration of mobile phone use and decrease in sperm factors, citing a significant difference between sperm quality of men who used a mobile phone and those who didn't. Additionally it was found that prolonged mobile phone use decreased the levels of Luteinising Hormone (LH). This conclusion is especially significant for women as LH plays a vital role in ovulation.
A 2013 study (9) concluded that:
"1. Long–term semen exposure in the area of mobile phone RF–EMR leads to a significant decrease in the number of sperm with progressive movement and an increase in those with non–progressive movement. 2. Prolonged direct mobile phone exposure may bring about sperm DNA fragmentation 3. For men readying themselves for fatherhood, especially when registered fertility problems exist, it would be better to avoid holding a mobile phone in a trouser pocket for long periods of time."
All of this directly impacts our babies, but what about our son's and daughters and the impact on their fertility?
The daughters and sons of mothers who were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) up until the 1980's (10) may suffer infertility and problems including ectopic pregnancy, premature labour or miscarriage. Although the drug was directly given to these women, and EMF is not injected, ingested or inserted as a pessary, could we hypothesise that there may be a future generational impact based on the constant exposure. Obviously long term studies need to conducted but right now it is not clear whether the posed risks are intergenerational.
PRACTICAL TIPS TO LIMIT EXPOSURE
There are some practical tips that you can start to build habits around:
Put your phone down! Maybe it's time to start treating our mobiles like our old school phones and leaving them in one place away from you as you go about life.
Turn your mobile off and put it in another room when you are sleeping.
Use the speaker and wired earphones.
Carry your phone in a bag, not in your pocket (fellas, this is important for you).
Unplug from tech altogether, you will feel emotionally and physically better!
Try to avoid x-rays and sunbeds.
HOMEOPATHY
We are intelligently designed organisms and maintaining strong immunity alongside introducing healthy lifestyle changes, will limit the impact of EMF exposure. If you experience symptoms, then remedies can help get you back in to a place of balance and resilience.
Common symptoms that can be as a result of over exposure to EMF's are:
disrupted sleep including insomnia
tiredness and fatigue
headaches
difficulty concentrating
burning and itching skin
depression
restlessness and anxiety
nausea
nosebleeds
irritabilty
dizzy spells
appetite and weight changes
Some remedies to consider in the short term are:
Phosphorus
affinity for the nervous system
burning skin
restlessness
nosebleeds
worse: thunderstorms; evening
Rhododendron
affinity for small joints and lower legs
rheumatic pains aggravated by weather changes
Forgetfulness mid sentence
better: sunshine
worse: storms
Strontium Carbonicum
effects the circulatory system
congestion and tension
loss of appetite
nausea
headaches from nape of neck moving upwards
worse: cold; walking
While these remedies can help with short term states, fertility is systemic and often deep rooted. EMF's do have an impact on fertility but in my experience, treating infertility requires a holistic and detailed examination of the symptomatology.
Find out more about the fertility study I am running between April and June 2023: https://thewildhomeopathbooking.as.me/fertility-review
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