Does keeping cell phone in trouser pocket make a man impotent?

Question

I'm a 26 year old male from Bangalore, India. Since several years there have been reports in newspapers that men who keep their cell phones in their trouser pocket can become impotent due to the harmful waves emitted by the cell phone. Is this true? I'm really worried after reading those reports. I have been regularly keeping my cell phone in my trouser pocket since 10 years, so have I already become impotent? If so, is there any way to cure it? I'm so scared. I'm a virgin, and I don't want to die a virgin having become impotent. Please help me out. Thank you.P.S. Please don't assume that I'm virgin because I'm unable to find women. Its just that I have decided to save my virginity for the one I'm gonna marry.

xcrunner2414 · Accepted Answer

I'm getting my master's in medical physics, let me throw some science in your face :-P

cell phone 4g frequency is ~2000 MHz. This corresponds to photons of energy 1E-5 electronvolts. The peak power output of the radiowaves produced by cell phones is limited by law to ~2 watts. The distance from your phone to vital organs is at least one cm, therefore the intensity at this distance is about 10E+21 eV s^-1 m^-2. But, this is over 4pi steradian (full sphere), so only about 1/2 of that will be directed at your body, so the energy fluence rate is about 5E+21 eV s^-1 m^-2. If you estimate the area of your body that is close to your phone to be about a 10cmx10cm square, then that means this area is being bombarded by about 5E+24 photons, each with an energy of 1E-5 electronvolts (by comparison, the kinetic energy of a mosquito is about one trillion eV).

5E+24 photons per second sounds like a lot doesn't it?! Well, it is a lot, but lets see what these photons do:

The mass attenuation coefficient of one keV X-rays in water is ~4000 cm^2/g. Let's assume that's what it is for our low energy radio waves (if you look at the curves in log scale, it's probably more like 1E+13, but w/e). Taking our attenuation equation I = I_0 exp(-u*x), we see that the thickness of water (tissue) required to reduce this number of photons to 1/1000th its initial value is only about 7 microns. By comparison, the width of a human hair is about 60 microns, and a human skin cell is about 30 microns. So, basically 99.99999999999% of those photons are stopped by ONE layer of skin cells. Also, it is statistically correct to say that NONE of them will reach a depth of more than 1mm.

In summary... no. Radio waves have such little energy. In fact, Ultraviolet photons have about one billion times more energy. Guess what sunblock is for: blocking UV rays. UV rays can cause skin cancer if you're in the sun all day every day... radio waves won't do sh!t.

ming13 · Accepted Answer

If the phone was to cause any problem it would be infertility or cancer due to long term exposure to small doses of radiation. I do not believe it would would cause impotence as that is a vascular issue, eg penis not being able to keep enough blood in it to stay erect. Though the radiation levels are low the phone will continually talk to the cell tower and the further away from the tower you are the more the signal has to increase in power. many studies will say its not safe while many will say it is. The best thing would be to carry the phone somewhere else . I used to suffer hot spots on the side of my head when using some phones due to the radiation being put out. But I tend to use speaker phone now to stop that issue.

Luv2BRealExotic13 · Accepted Answer

A cell phone doesn't emit that much harmful radiation, though it still emits some. As long as your phone is not close all the time, you're not smoking like a chimney, or wearing tight skinny jeans you should be fine. If you did become 'impotent' it would depend on the extent done depending on treatment if it can possibly be reversed. Besides you can always go to the clinic and check your sperm count. If you're very worried about it try putting your phone in your back pocket, laptop case or a man bag.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I think those theories stem from the same beliefs that cell phone usage can cause brain tumors, and that has been discredited. I would imagine wearing tighty-whities, using hot tubs (or taking hot baths), or having your laptop on your lap would cause much greater damage. But even those don't permanently alter sperm count. If you're so worried about it, start keeping your phone somewhere else on you and you'll be fine.

Cormycakez · Accepted Answer

I believe the reports refer to a lowering of the sperm count, but my friend who works at a cell phone store and constantly has his phone on his person, got himself tested for potency (for a girl he was seeing, who was a bit 'baby crazy'). He isn't 'shooting blanks' so I think your fine. If your worried, go to the doctor and have them test.

backspace · Answer

Here read this and make up your own mind. Personal I think the radiation level is negligible comparing to all the other stuff trying to kill us every day. :)

whattothink · Answer

I'm not sure on that one, but the laptop thing does seem sound. Using laptops constantly can lower a guy's count. Heat can kill the little swimmers and laptops get really hot. So that one makes plenty of sense to me. And it was for regular users not occasional.

LaughOutLoudWithMe · Answer

um I don't think so? those reports cast a tiny bit of doubt in my mind but 'impotent'!? That seems unrealistic to me js...xX

just_tired · Answer

No, there is no proof of that ever happening. The waves are no where near enough to make that happen.

palek · Answer

Yes, keeping a cell phone in your pocket will make a man impotent. I too have kept a cell phone in my picket for many years, which is why I always dress in a three-piece suit and tie. I figure if I'm gonna be impotant I might as well look impotent too.

RedSmartie · Answer

Even if it makes you impotent, you can still have sex. But I think it's a little ridiculous.  They say that pretty much everything causes cancer but there isn't definitive proof for most of it.

THE_Godfather · Answer

10 years ago they claimed that a new wave of brain cancer will develop because people are talking on their cell phones & the radio waves will cause the cancer. That didn't happen. To show you how ridicules their way of think was, there was no mention about the eyes. They never said if they were in jeopardy or not I would think since their smaller they might be more susceptible to cancer.

skycarey02 · Answer

This kind of thing to vary, scientific research is not necessarily for everyone, if you do not rest assured that you can go to the hospital for medical examination.

brinxster · Answer

It can harm sperm production, yes. However if you put it in your shirt pocket, what is the effect on your heart? We know they can cause brain tumors if near your head a lot.

SuckingurLollipop · Answer

Yeah, if it's from the 80's...

yaddayaddayadda02 · Answer

No.

Dhruva · Answer

I have kept my phone in my pocket for many year. My wife is now pregnant so I don't think it affects your potency.

Enideqa · Answer

I don't think so

Enideqa · Answer

Never heard of it

JamielovesKU · Answer

A lot of people put their phone in thier pocket

MoonshineMooCow · Answer

can't ever say I've heard of that

HotTwink · Answer

Completely untrue. I have been doing it for years. And have no decrease at all in my sexual performance.

Anonymous · Answer

I've heard this also, same with Mountain Dew. Not sure if its true though. Even if it is you'll still be able to come you just won't be able to get a girl pregnant.