Ultrasound contains harmful radiation that can impact the physical health of an individual. Many people believe that it could harm their reproductive health. The question is, can a dose of ultrasound stops sperm production? Keep reading to learn more.
In our generation, scientists and researchers can probably invent anything you can think of. Today, contraceptives are limited to condoms, vaginal rings, the Pill, and the patch. But according to scientists, they are developing something that men could try apart from using the rubber.
When someone mentions ultrasound, the first thing that comes to mind is pregnant women. But it has been found through some research done in the University of North Carolina that the sound waves from the ultrasound can stop sperm cell production.
Though this is a fairly new study, they have already seen the effect on rats. This concept was actually thought of back in the 1970s, and it is only now that researchers are pursuing this concept after the university won a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
As I said, the tests were effective on rats. But this still needs to be studied even further to see how much this will affect humans, and the duration of its effects as contraception, and more importantly, its side effects.
Furthermore, researches are still unsure whether this treatment can be used several times before they can actually be done legally on human beings. Though researchers believe that this may be the future of contraception.
To get into more detail with the study, scientists found that 15-minute doses of the ultrasound, when done twice, can significantly decrease the number of a man’s sperm count. The ideal way to do this is to get one dose first, and another dose in two days, this must also be done through salt water.
After the tests were done, sperm counts dropped to under 15 million sperm per millimeter of semen, and that is quite a significant loss. They also noted that this has made human subjects sub-fertile.
So today, what is vital for researchers and scientists is for them to make sure that giving doses of ultrasound will only cause contraception and not sterilization.
Having said that, Allan Pacey, a professor in the andrology department of the University of Sheffield added that more studies need to be done before they can end with a valid conclusion.
Also, he warned that the ultrasound treatment may actually affect the future growth of sperm cells in the long run after treatment has been done. What he meant was that future cells may become abnormal or maybe even mutated, and this can still affect a man’s fertility.
It is amazing how scientists are coming up with more options for people to choose from when it comes to contraception. Now, men can be the one to zap their sperm cells instead of women taking the Pill.
However, too much of this may still have a negative impact on men, especially if you want to have children in the future, as it can completely halt the production of sperm and cause permanent infertility – and that is a much difficult problem to fix.
If this research has been validated by hospitals and if the treatment is safe for humans to do, would you go for it? Or would you rather stick with the conventional ways of contraception?
In conclusion, we provided content related to the dose of ultrasound and if it’s really stopping sperm production. We hope we successfully conveyed the necessary information and that you can decide what to do next for your sperm production.
Ask Us Questions Related To Dose Of Ultrasound Stops Sperm Production
What’s ultrasound?
When the doctor recommends an ultrasound to a patient, it means there’s something underneath your body that they couldn’t comprehend so you’ll need some sort of scanning with a machine so they can have an image of what lies in your body. An ultrasound wave is a high-frequency sound wave that is used to capture images from your body. An undergoing ultrasound could be risky and very expensive. Thus caution must be taken before going for an ultrasound scan.
When is ultrasound required?
Ultrasound is required when a doctor wants to know more about what’s going on inside your body. However, before ultrasound is recommended physicians normally take their time to be sure about it. People suspected of having cancer, liver, and kidney problems, etc. are often recommended for an ultrasound scan. In other cases, pregnant women can use ultrasound to see images of their fetus growing in the womb.
How can ultrasound stop sperm production?
There have been cases where ultrasound can kill sperm production. This happens when the sperm is in its early development stages. However, this is not considered an absolute bad thing. Some researchers are viewing ultrasound as a means of having males to control their births by reducing sperm count and production.
Can ultrasound cause damage to other cells in the body?
Yes. A frequent ultrasound scan can be dangerous to the body cells as it can cause undesired cell mutations. Since ultrasound behaves like this, it is often used as a means of destroying some cancer cells to curb the growth of a tumor in the body.
Are there alternatives to ultrasound?
When the doctor tells you that you need an ultrasound scan and you’ve heard about the dangerous “side effect” you might want to ask for alternatives. Yes, there are alternatives and they largely depend on the case in question. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor for safer alternatives to ultrasound.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Causes Low Sperm Count?
Low sperm count, or oligospermia, is a condition in which a man has low levels of sperm in his semen. Low sperm count is often associated with male infertility, although it is not always the cause. Low sperm count can be caused by a variety of factors, including lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors.
Lifestyle factors can have a significant impact on a man’s sperm count. Poor diet, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and the use of certain drugs, including anabolic steroids, can all reduce sperm count. Stress and depression can also have an effect, as can certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, varicocele, and some endocrine disorders.
Genetic factors are another possible cause of low sperm count. Certain genetic disorders, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, can cause a man to produce fewer sperm than normal. The male partner in a couple can also pass on low sperm count to his children, as the condition can be inherited.
Environmental factors can also play a role in a man’s sperm count. Exposure to certain toxins, such as pesticides, can reduce sperm count. In addition, exposure to radiation and extreme temperatures can also have an effect.
Low sperm count is a serious condition that can have a major impact on a man’s fertility. If you are concerned about your sperm count, it is important to speak to your doctor. Your doctor will be able to examine you and determine the cause of your low sperm count. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause, but may include lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.
