Note: this story is illustrative and based on common experiences of couples facing infertility. Names and details are fictional.
Ana (29) and Marko (31) had always imagined what their family story would look like: a small house with a yard, two children, a dog and lots of laughter. They met at university, got married two years later, and right after the wedding they started “trying for a baby.”
Years passed, but the news they longed for never came. Ana was convinced the problem was hers.
“My mother had trouble conceiving; I thought I had inherited the same,” Ana recalls.
She began seeing gynaecologists, taking vitamins and, on her doctor's advice, started hormone therapy as part of assisted reproduction. Each month brought new hope – and new disappointment. Marko supported her and assured her that their time would come. He never, not for a moment, suspected himself.
A job that leaves no room for private life
Marko worked as a field sales representative for an international company. His phone was an extension of his hand. Every day he spent hours on calls, answering messages and emails, reviewing documents. In the car, at meetings, at home – the phone was always with him, usually in the front pocket of his trousers.
“I never thought about it. I assumed phones get a little warm, but nothing serious,” he admitted later.
The road to assisted reproduction
After three years of unsuccessful attempts, Ana and Marko decided on medically assisted reproduction. As part of the preparations, they both had to undergo thorough tests. Ana, as expected, nervously awaited her results.
But the surprise came from the other side: Marko's semen analysis showed a significantly reduced concentration of healthy sperm, with a low share of morphologically normal sperm and a high share of immotile sperm.
What do experts say?
The male factor is not rare. Fertility clinics report that in around 30% of couples who cannot conceive, the cause lies with the man – temporarily or permanently – and research over recent decades has recorded a decline in sperm quality in developed countries.
The causes are many: lifestyle, diet, obesity, smoking, stress, environmental chemicals and heat around the reproductive organs. Some studies are also investigating a possible link between carrying a phone in a trouser pocket and sperm quality – because of proximity to the radiation source, heating and possible oxidative stress at the cellular level. Science is still researching this, but many experts already advise caution.
HSC Cards – a step where the problem starts
To reduce their exposure to electromagnetic radiation, Ana and Marko began using HSC Cards. The cards are placed directly on the back of the phone, and many users see them as a promising step in protection from the possible adverse effects of electromagnetic fields.
Marko put an HSC Card on the phone he carries all day, while Ana uses hers on her phone and laptop. They say it gives them peace of mind – especially since they learned how much proximity to radiation sources can matter.
Marko also changed his diet – more fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and fish, less processed food and sugar. Less exposure, an HSC Card and healthy eating have become their new daily routine.
A new reality
Ana and Marko are still on their way to parenthood. They share their story openly because they want other couples to think about the habits they take for granted.
“I can't turn back time, but I can tell people not to keep their phone where it doesn't belong. It may not be the only culprit, but if there's even the slightest chance it does harm, it's worth keeping it away,” says Marko.
Ana adds: “Infertility is not a shame. But the biggest mistake is thinking it's always the woman who carries the burden. We both need to check our health.”
The takeaway
Infertility is complex and affects both men and women. While science continues to study the effects of electromagnetic radiation on fertility, small changes – keeping your phone away from your body, an HSC Card on your device and a healthy diet – can be important steps in caring for your health. If you are having trouble conceiving, both partners should be examined.
ALC – Advanced Life Concepts
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Informative note: this article does not replace medical advice. The HSC Card is not a medical device or a treatment for infertility.