As its name implies, a laptop is meant to be placed on the lap. But is that actually safe for penis health? Many studies have shown that prolonged use of a laptop so close to the penis area can have a detrimental impact on a man’s penis. Here’s what every man needs to know.

WiFi Will Not Make You Sterile: A common myth is that the radioactivity from WiFi can render a man sterile. Luckily, there’s no truth to that. The radioactivity from WiFi is far too weak to alter your biology, according to the Cancer Research Society of the United Kingdom. The English study debunked a widely distributed but flawed study from 2011 that inaccurately linked WiFi with lower sperm count. Today, doctors do not believe that connection exists.

But Your Laptop’s Heat Might: That’s not to say that laptops don’t cause infertility. A study conducted by Human Reproduction concluded that after an hour of laptop use, the temperature of a man’s scrotum rose to 103 degrees from 80. A man’s anatomy is designed such that sperm production exists outside the body because the body’s natural temperature - 98.6 degrees - is too hot for the process. Raising the scrotum’s temperature to 103 degrees, therefore, makes it such that sperm can’t be produced.

The rise in temperature, scientifically known as scrotal hyperthermia, not only hampers a man’s ability to create sperm, it also makes the remaining sperm less likely to fertilize an egg. The best way to avoid this is to place your laptop on a table while in use; placing a cushion between the lap and computer has been shown ineffective in avoiding this problem.

It Can Give You a Permanent Rash: Prolonged exposure to infrared heat - the process transferring heat from one body to another through electromagnetic radiation - also causes erythema ab igne. Colloquially referred to as "toasted skin syndrome", this condition takes the form of a red rash on the penis and in most cases is permanent. Due to the proliferation of laptops and technology, there’s been a noticeable rise in erythema ab igne, according to the Dermatology Online Journal.

And That Rash May Cause Cancer: The even worse news is that erythema ab igne in rare cases has been known to cause cancer, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. If you have a long-lasting rash caused by this, it’s essential to have it consistently monitored and biopsy by a medical professional.

What Can You Do?

The best way to avoid these problems is to concern alternatives to using your laptop directly on your lap. One way is to be sure is to take regular breaks from extended work by standing up and giving a chance for the area to cool down. Many computer stores also sell specifically designed products that reduce the heat transferred to your lap. However, it’s important not to use a cushion as a defense. Researchers have found that cushions not only transfer heat, but they can also be flammable.

Any man concerned about his penis health should not only be identifying potential external issues, but also maintaining a routine designed to keep the penis healthy and strong. For many men, this starts with the regular application of a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for the skin). When selecting a penis health crème, be sure to find one rich in vitamins and nutrients. Vitamin e is scientifically proven to be a powerful natural hydrator and shea butter is an efficient and gentle vehicle for its distribution. Vitamin a, a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds, is known for its ability to fight harmful bacteria.