Male sperm counts drop; the Pill to blame?

December 07, 2012

Men’s sperm counts have fallen dramatically since the 1990s, a major French study has found—prompting scientists to search for an explanation of the problem, which has major implications for human fertility.

The Daily Mail report on the French study lists a few possible environmental causes, but does not explicitly mention the most likely explanation: the sharp increase in estrogen levels in the water supply, which can be traced to the widespread use of contraceptive pills.

 

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Further information:

• Male fertility crisis fears as sperm counts fall... and scientists blame everything from diet to tight underwear (Daily Mail)
• Vatican paper sees environmental damage from The Pill (CWN, 1/5/09)