Most of us use hot water for bathing in winter. Health experts also say that low temperatures in the cold season can hurt the nerves, in such a situation, bathing with lukewarm water can provide relief from this problem. However in some reports and posts on social media, it is said that the habit of bathing with hot water can weaken fertility. Can hot water cause such harm?
In some posts viral on social media, it is being said that if you bathe with hot water, it can be very harmful. So much so that it can hurt your fertility? Is there any truth in this claim, let us try to find out.
Effect of hot water on fertility
Does hot water have any effect on fertility or sperm quality? To understand this, researchers conducted a study. In some reports, researchers believe that if you bathe with hot water too often, there may be a risk of some negative effects.
Urologists at the University of California conducted research in this regard in which similar results were seen. The report of International Braj J Urol states, that if you bathe in very hot water for a long time, it can have negative consequences.
Side effects of hot water
Human testicles are reported to typically maintain a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), which is about two degrees lower than body temperature. The testes are covered with cremaster muscle, which contracts and relaxes. Researchers found that even just a few degrees increase in scrotal temperature could disrupt spermatogenesis. However, these results are limited to prolonged exposure to high heat.
What did the study find?
Similarly, a 2007 study included eleven men who used hot tubs for at least thirty minutes per week. Researchers asked these people to stay away from exposure to hot temperatures for three months. This resulted in an average increase of 491 percent in total motile sperm count in five of the eleven participants.
Researchers said, there is a risk of negative impact on your fertility due to excessive exposure to heat.
What do health experts say?
While talking to Amar Ujala, Lucknow-based urologist Dr. Naresh Bhargava says, there is no harm in bathing with hot water in winter but if you bathe with hot water then it can cause skin-related problems. There is a risk of hot water affecting fertility when you sit in hot water in the bathtub for a long time. Such side effects have not been seen in normal bathing.
There is no harm in bathing with hot water in winter, just keep in mind that the water should not be too hot.
(PC: Freepik)