The usage of two-way radio communication devices (such as walkie-talkies) is an avenue for radio waves wafting through the air, seeping into the skin and bodies of us people. Although it is necessary for people to stay connected and communicate with one another, the radiation waves from devices such as walkie-talkies can be pretty detrimental to the overall health of us human beings.
Walkie-talkies may not be the most widely used device in terms of modern-day communication. However, this device is still very much used in many settings and situations (e.g., outdoor adventure, events, warehouse life, military activities). Walkie-talkies, however, hold a threat that is unbeknownst to human beings at the start but, if exposed for long periods, can pose serious health risks. This threat is the radiofrequency waves and the electromagnetic fields that exude from this pair of two-way radio communication devices.
This article will be tackling the topic of whether the walkie-talkie affects the reproductive system of both the male and female sexes. In specificity, this article will be discussing if this two-way radio device will have any effect on the fertility aspect of the reproductive system.
Do Walkie-Talkies really affect Fertility?
In terms of the reproductive system, these kinds of waves are quite harmful to the person exposed to these kinds of waves. Additionally, there is also that detrimental threat to their unborn children (should their bodies be bearing fetuses).
In-Depth Analysis on the Effects of the Usage of Walkie-Talkies and the Fertility of People
This analysis on the effects of the usage of walkie-talkies and the fertility of people will be an in-depth one, garnering the cases of both the male and female sex, the risks to being exposed to radiofrequency (RF) and electromagnetic waves (EMW) for long periods of time, and truly defining what infertility is. Moreover, the connection between the aforementioned waves and walkie-talkies and the fertility of people with the dangerous threat of radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves affecting this aspect of humans respectively will also be reviewed here.
What is Fertility?
Fertility, by definition, is the ability to procreate and bring forth children. In other phrasal terms, it is also the ability to get pregnant through sexual intercourse. This is according to Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD. from the RxList.
What is infertility?
As stated in an article spearhead by Darvish, Amraee, and et al. from the Shiraz E-medical Journal, infertility is the inability to get pregnant. This is observed when sexual intercourse is established as a regular thing by two people for one year without contraceptives and other procedures that focus on not bearing children between the two people. Statistics have shown that infertility within couples that attempt to conceive children is more than 15% and has escalated in recent years.
Symptoms of Infertility
In line with an online article from Mayo Clinic, for the male sex, unmistakable signs that show his infertility are hair growth change or sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction, etc.) For the female sex, on the other hand, it is of great concern to get one’s self-checked by her gynecologist when her menstrual cycle is irregular or non-existent.
Seeing a doctor for signs of infertility is not all that necessary unless a couple is trying to conceive a baby. It is recommended, however, for someone of the male sex to consult their urologist if there are noticeable signs of:
- Went through cancer treatment
- Scrotum swelling
- Have problems in prostate, testicular, and/or sexual history
- Problems with sperm generation
It is also advised, in contrast to the symptoms from the male sex, for someone of the female sex to consult their gynecologist if there are noticeable signs of:
- High frequency of miscarriages
- Went through cancer treatment
- Irregular periods
- Diagnosis of endometriosis
- Non-existent periods
It is also advised that women at the age of 35 and up should consult their gynecologists if they are still viable to have healthy wombs for the conception of babies.
Fertility, Infertility, and the Reproductive System
As made evident earlier, fertility, infertility, and the reproductive systems of both the male and female sexes are correlated with each other. In bringing forth a child into this world, the genitalia area and the reproductive systems of both sexes must be of optimum condition. As stated earlier, it is a great necessity for people with symptoms of infertility to get themselves checked to see if they can conceive in the utmost condition. Should there also be a problem in the active sexual activity of a couple, especially if this was done regularly for a total of one year, there is that probability of infertility within both sexes.
In correlation with walkie-talkies and the radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves within them, and the fertility issues of human beings, it is of high importance to get one’s self checked and to see if the exposure to these kinds of waves have inflicted a threat to one’s reproductive system.
Radiofrequency Waves, Electromagnetic Waves, and the Reproductive System
In continuation from the topic of infertility stated by Darvish, Amraee, et al., environmental factors are also accounted for when it comes to the fertility of the male sex. Disorders in the fertility of the male sex include reducing sperms within the epididymis, disorder on sperm structure, and disorder on sperm mobility. It was mentioned in the study that there are four primary factors as to why the male sex may be of an infertile state: electromagnetic waves, ionizing radiation, stress, and biochemical factors. Although studies have revealed that mobile phones and walkie-talkies do not emit high amounts of radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves, there is still the notion that these devices can be detrimental to the health of the male sex when exposed to the waves emanate from these devices for long periods.
Who’s to say this will not happen to women as well? A study lead by Myung Chan Gye and Chan Jin Park entitled “Effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on the reproductive system” confirmed that there is a significant alteration in the reproductive hormones, fertility, and pregnancy when exposed to electromagnetic waves. Tests were done on female animals such as mice, cows, and rats have shown many defects in the physical appearance and the fertility aspect of these animals. The mice exhibited alterations in their endocrine and nervous systems. The study confirmed that the defects and disorders found in the two systems make for the infertility issues within the tested mice. Physical-wise, the tested mice were also seen to have defects in the growth of hair follicles. For cows, on the other hand, being exposed to an electromagnetic field (EMF) for a total of 16 hours each day lengthens the estrous cycle. Whenever the estrous cycle is extended, the windows of opportunity to ovulate when in their fertile periods plummets down.
Gye and Park’s study has also shown toxicity in the reproductive system of the male sex. The data from the research study showed that there are fewer health risks and effects for the male test animals. Physical-wise, there are not many changes to the male sex. However, it was observed that testosterone levels and the germinal epithelium had significantly declined in amount when these male test animals were exposed to electromagnetic waves.
With results like these for both biological sexes, it clearly shows that there is a negative phenomenon happening within the reproductive systems of the sexes when exposed to radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves for lengthy periods of time.
Conclusion – Do Walkie Talkies affect Fertility?
In this modern age we live in, technology has incorporated itself into the lives of every human being in this world. It is rare, impossible even, to meet a person who is not able to perform any activity that resonates around technology and utilizes technological aspects. This is apparent in the communication we have with people that are far away from us. We use different kinds of devices to stay in contact and connect with people. One notable device is the walkie-talkies, wherein two-way radio communication is grounded upon.
Walkie-talkies are notorious for their emanation of radiofrequency waves and electromagnetic waves. Studies show that this kind of two-way radio device does not hold high amounts of radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves when used to communicate with other users. However, these kinds of waves are still known to be harmful to the human body, should the said body be exposed to them for long periods of time and without the proper gear to handle them. As mentioned earlier, in terms of the reproductive system, these kinds of waves are quite harmful to the person exposed to these kinds of waves. It also alters the fertility of said person and can entail issues in this aspect of the reproductive system. It is also quite dangerous for their unborn children (should their bodies bear fetuses) to start off life with RFW and EMW running through their veins.
Thus, with all of this stated and in conclusion, walkie-talkies do affect the fertility of people. Again, it is due to the long-term effects that radiofrequency and electromagnetic waves have within them. The alteration and gradual deterioration of specific cells in the reproductive system for both the male and female sexes are clear indications enough to prove that people should not be exposed to these kinds of waves for long periods of time. We live in quite a technological world, and these kinds of waves are everywhere. We must take the time not to use devices that exude RFW and EMW.
