how do x rays make men sterile?

Answer 1

Medical diagnostic x-rays will not make someone sterile. Large doses of radiation could, but we do not use large doses of radiation in medical imaging (x-rays). The following sites have questions answered by qualified medical personel who are experts in radiation and it's effects. Here is what I found:

"From studies in small animals, acute exposure to x rays of about 200 rad or more can result in reduction in sperm production. Diagnostic x-ray procedures (such as an examination of the tailbone) usually involve doses of the order of a few rad or less. Diagnostic x ray is not known to affect sperm production."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q100.html

"Reduced sperm count can be caused by radiation, if the dose is sufficient. There is a threshold dose for this effect of a few Gy, generally ranging from two to six or more, depending on circumstances, especially the rate at which the dose is delivered. A CT scan with modern technology will usually deliver a dose of 0.03 to 0.05 Gy within the exposed volume, and much less (0.001 Gy or less) to the remainder of the body.

Conclusion: CT scan will not cause reduced sperm count."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q3123.html

"A single abdominal x ray will expose the testes to under 0.01 rad (rad is an abbreviation for "radiation absorbed dose"). Reference texts (Mettler and Moseley 1985; BEIR 1990) estimate the radiation dose necessary to cause temporary sterility at about 15 rad and to cause permanent sterility from 300 to 500 rad."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1854.html

Answer 2

X-ray radiation can alter the sperm being produced, making them non-viable. However, a constant exposure to quite large amounts of this energy is required for permanent damage. In this case, it affects the cells responsible for sperm production. High levels of radiation can also cause cancer.

Modern x-ray machines use tiny doses of x-ray energy, and for someone having a routine procedure, offer no liklihood of side-effects. In fact, when diagnosing infertility problems in men, you will often be asked to take x-rays to exmine the internal structures, like the vas deferens.

Answer 3

Having too many x-rays can give you an increased risk of cancer. Any time someone gets an x-ray, the gonad area is covered so sterility is not a risk.

Answer 4

The radiation can cause changes in the DNA of sperm cells:
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/xray/xray_abs4.html

Answer 5

the radaititon can kill off the thing that creats the sperm

Answer 6

the radiation hurts sperm

Answer 7

because radiation kills thing like you....