Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Save products icon

Other Membership Benefits:

Savings icon Exclusive Deals for Members Best time to buy icon Best Time to Buy Products Recall tracker icon Recall & Safety Alerts TV screen optimizer icon TV Screen Optimizer and more

    Q&A: Concerns about laptops and fertility problems?

    Consumer Reports News: September 23, 2009 10:29 AM

    Is it true that working with a laptop computer on your lap may cause fertility problems? My daughter frequently uses her computer this way. —L.B., Bay City, Ore.

    She needn't worry. The research suggesting any fertility risk from laptops is sparse, and it applies more to men than to women. A small 2004 study found that after cradling a laptop in their laps for an hour, men's scrotal temperature increased by 4 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 3 Celsius). While other studies suggest that's enough to potentially reduce the testicles' sperm production, it's about the same temperature increase that a man would get from simply sitting with his thighs together for an hour, or riding in a car for two hours. A greater, though still remote, danger is that some laptops can get hot enough to cause burns. So test the bottom of the machine with a finger before placing it on exposed skin.

    Fertility problems are common. Read about the risk factors for infertility, take a look at some questions to ask your doctor, and find out which treatments work best (subscribers only) for both men and women.  


    E-mail Newsletters

    FREE e-mail Newsletters! Choose from cars, safety, health, and more!
    Already signed-up?
    Manage your newsletters here too.

    Health News

    Cars

    Cars Build & Buy Car Buying Service
    Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience.

    See your savings

    Mobile

    Mobile Get Ratings on the go and compare
    while you shop

    Learn more