Sunscreen use by men should be in moderation if they are trying to conceive, report fertility specialists in the United States.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health's Wadsworth Center in New York conducted a preliminary study and revealed that the chemicals found in sunscreens and other cosmetic products may cause male infertility.
AdvertisementResearchers discovered that exposure to benzophenone (BP) type ultraviolet (UV) filters, include nearly 30 chemicals had a 30 percent decline in the biological capability of man to reproduce.
"Sunscreen is an important tool to prevent skin cancer, but this research shows that it can also be a barrier to successfully fathering a child. Many people think of infertility as a 'women's issue,' but the reality is that it affects men, as well" says Dr. David Adamson, founder and CEO of ARC.
The study does not explain the link to infertility in men, as it is a preliminary study.
"By no means should sunscreen be avoided. It plays an important role in protecting us against skin cancer and should be used along with other filters for UV rays, such as light clothing, sun shades and hats when exposed to the bright sun. But for people hoping to have a child, avoiding these chemicals is something that should be considered" Dr. Adamson adds.