Saturday, September 15, 2007

Hot Tubs Hurt Fertility, Study Says

Exposure to hot baths or hot tubs can lead to male infertility, according to a new study at the University of California, San Francisco.

But the effects can sometimes be reversible, a news release said.

"We now have actual evidence to show patients that these recreational activities are a real risk factor for male infertility," said Dr. Paul J. Turek, a urologist who led the study.

"These activities can be comfortably added to that list of lifestyle recommendations and 'things to avoid' as men attempt to conceive," he said.

Turek said this is the first published study to show that total body exposure to wet heat can impair both sperm production and motility. Previous work showed that dry heat -- such as from a fever -- has the same effect.

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