Testicle Warmer as Prophylactic?
It is well-known that sperm are sensitive to high temperatures. Many web sites provide advice on how to avoid warming the testicles, in an effort to hence male fertility, to boost the likelihood of pregnancy.
As noted at the web site of Fertility Associates of Memphis, “Testicles are located outside of the human body because the ideal temperature for sperm production, and thus for male fertility, is about three to four degrees below the ideal human body temperature of 98.6°F.”
I can’t help but wonder to what degree is infertility due to warm testicles reversible? And to what degree is it effective in preventing pregnancy?
This seems so obvious. Someone must have tested it.
There are disposable hand warmers and foot warmers that provide 9–18 hours of warmth. You slip them into gloves, boots, pockets, hard hats or between layers of clothing. They heat up to 100°F to 130°F.
Why not testicle warmers, using similar chemicals or a totally different technique? There might be a way to reliably generate enough heat to render sperm incapable of impregnating for a predictable period of time, but without permanent damage.
Depending on the level of reliability, this could be used instead of or in addition to female contraception.
Do you know if this possibility has been tested?
I am reminded of the codpieces worn in Shakespeare’s day. I wonder if they could have had such an effect. Perhaps the kind of cloth and the degree of openness could have, knowingly or unknowingly, been a means of controlling fertility. I can imagine Shakespeare using wool to wrap himself tightly for hours before visiting his dark mistress.
