Light, your sex life and your fertility
Fertility is at the route cause of existence – without it, we wouldn’t exist. Infertility can be a devastating issue that is faced by both males and females. Whilst there are a few treatments available with female infertility, male fertility is no go area most of the time.
In the next few minutes we will discover research, anecdotal, human and animal studies on sex and infertility in both males and females as well as showing how red light even has the ability to increase desire, arousal and orgasm satisfaction in the process to potentially increasing your fertility. STAY TUNED!
Let us start by saying you need to things - desire and ability. Desire to reproduce and the ability for your elements to function. A lot the latter comes down mitochondrial function.
Let us start way back in 1939 (1) where researchers showed that light effected testosterone levels and showed that light was able to increase testosterone levels 120% when shined on the chest and 200% when shined on the testicle area. Increases testosterone levels increase sexual appetite and desire. This same study was highlighter by a professional athlete when he said
"A nice tan on your nuts" (2)
That is just one person's opinion and a paper from 80 years ago, is there anything more recent?
That is a valid point and no doubt that the measurements and times have changed and perhaps the results aren't as clear anymore, so it is time to look for more recent examples and examples that show improvements in fertility, not just testosterone.
Firstly let us look at sexual desire and satisfaction. The more desire and satisfaction, the more chance you will want to reproduce. A small study of 40 males were treated with bright light in the morning for 2 weeks. They used a simple light box. This might not sound like a major problem, but as many of 25% of males experience lack of desire and arousal at some stage.
This is what they found:
"Before treatment, both groups averaged a sexual satisfaction score of around 2 out of 10, but after treatment the group exposed to the bright light was scoring sexual satisfaction scores of around 6.3 -- a more than 3-fold increase on the scale we used. In contrast, the control group only showed an average score of around 2.7 after treatment." They also showed an almost doubling of testosterone levels. (3)
There are more studies showing an increase in desire, arousal and satisfaction. An increase in Libido and an increase other areas too (if you are a man, you might want to read this mens health magazine article). I personally use it and I can personally say......... WOW. I didn't test my testosterone levels previously, but libido, orgasm and other areas are pleasantly improved! In order of fairness, I have customers report back to me an increased libido, including one female. Make of that what you will as of course these are just anecdotal reviews.
It is not just men that need the light!
"improvements in 'circadian hygiene' — for example, reductions in evening illumination, more regular meal timing, or avoiding rotating shiftwork or schedules that lead to irregular sleep — may all be important remedies for reproductive difficulty." (4)
A third paper looked at red and infrared light specifically with sexual arousal, desire and satisfaction IN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. The results can be seen in the image below. The participants of the study underwent transcranial photobiomodulation twice a week for 8 weeks using both red and infrared light. There were improvements in all three parameters in both men and women. (5)
Yes - we have improved desire, now can we help fertility?
The research is promising if not definitive. There are so many other factors involved in promoting fertility.
If we look at female fertility first.
The main studies to be looked at are those females with "severe infertility" issues. These studies took place in Japan (6) and Denmark and had remarkable success for what were "severely infertile" females. In the Japanese study with an average age of 39 years old
"Pregnancy was achieved in the first part of the trial in 16 patients (21.7% of 74) of whom 11 (68%) achieved successful live delivery. In the extended trial, pregnancy was achieved in 156 (22.3% of 701) with 79 live deliveries (50.1%)".
These results were achieved with 15 second bursts of red light on the neck area of the participants. There are also anecdotal evidence of increased fertility through more direct application.
It appears that the red light works through these mechanisms (which as you will see have far reaching benefits, not just fertility):
1. Stimulating the mitochondria to produce more ATP (energy)
2. Improving blood circulation (as seen in the image below)
3. Regulating inflammation
4. Lowering oxidative stress (ROS)
5. Softening scar tissue
6. Increasing uterine receptivity
7. Regulating the autonomic nervous system and the immune system
8. Working synergistically with Co Q10
The image above is taken from (6) showing the increased circulation after sessions of photobiomodulation.
Male fertility:
Having just researched this for a few graphical posts out on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/homelighttherapy) I will refer to those. Needless to say, the papers, the research, the anecdotes are positive (8)
Using both human and animal studies, direct and indirect photobiomodulation can improve sperm quality, motility and endurance (7).
Another study - this time a review paper showed that quality of sperm was markedly improved and showed improvements in other ailments that can affect sperm and sexual desire like prostatitis etc.
Not only are the sperm superior after photobiomodulation, the sperm count increased in number!
These are just a few of the examples of how light therapy might give you another place to explore if you are having difficulty conceiving. These studies demonstrate an ability to improve fertility in a completely safe setting "LLLT is a pain-free and sideeffect free modality which could give hope to the increasing numbers of older females with infertility" (6). Photobiomodulation may well be worth a look if you are concerned about your sexual desire or your fertility.
References:
1. Myerson, A. Influence of ultraviolet radiation on excretion of sex hormones in the male. Endocrinology 1939;25:7-12.
2. https://deadspin.com/gabe-kaplers-advice-to-baseball-players-get-a-nice-tan-1724025612
3. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160918214443.htm
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6382556/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944482/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15838719/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29806585/
All views in the article above are for information purposes only and are not to be used to treat or diagnose specific ailments.