Would-be dads told put laptop on desk

Using a laptop computer as the name suggests may not be good for male reproductive health, according to a study.

And there is little that can be done about it, aside from using the laptop on a desk, said Yelim Sheynkin, a New York urologist.

In the study, thermometers were used to measure the temperature of the scrotums of 29 young men balancing a laptop on their knees.

Overheated

Even with a lap pad under the computer, the men's scrotums overheated quickly.

"Millions and millions of men are using laptops now, especially those in the reproductive age range," said Sheynkin.

"Within 10 or 15 minutes their scrotal temperature is already above what we consider safe, but they don't feel it."

The study was published in the medical journal Fertility and Sterility.

Sheynkin added: "No matter what you do, even with the legs spread wide apart, the temperature is still going to be higher than what we call safe."

hnews@herald.ie