The production of sperms is heat sensitive. With increase in temperature, sperm production decreases or stops, thus giving rise to sterility. This heat sensitivity of sperms is used as a method for contraception. These methods are relatively safe, effective, low cost and easily reversible. Let us learn some of the methods of male contraception through heat methods.Heat can have greater impact on male fertility. There is another interesting hypothesis related to this fact. Men suffering from very high fevers have been observed to be temporarily infertile. Then the infant survival rates are also very high when the fathers are healthy. These have further added to the hypothesis that heat can play a great role in defining male fertility. How Does Heat Affect Sperm? Heat can render a huge impact on male fertility and this was known since time immemorial in human civilization. We have come across such mentions in the texts of Hippocrates that can be dated back to the 5th century BC. These methods were formulated on the simple fact that the normal temperature in the testes must be considerably cooler compared to the usual body temperature. This is due to the fact that the entire process of spermatogenesis takes place here. This has been later explained by the analysis that since the testes in enclosed in the scrotum; it actually keeps the testes outside the body. A heat exchange takes place between the incoming and the outgoing blood vessels in this area and this process is akin to how the coils of the refrigerator function. This led to the development of the HSF or the heat shock factor where the sperm dies when the temperature rises to 95 0 Fahrenheit or 35 0 Celsius. It is important to note that briefs do not raise the temperature to this level and thus does not impair his fertility. Heat Methods for Temporary Contraception Here are a few heat methods that resulted in temporary contraception Simple Wet Heat This procedure requires simple hot water. It has been declared effective by scientists in 1949 after a decade of rigorous experimentation. This method is a bit time consuming but a natural one and highly effective. The most vital point is that the men can successfully impregnate a woman after he ceases to use this contraceptive procedure. The testes of the man must be given a shallow bath in warm water whose temperature should be around 116 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. This needs to be regularly done for three consecutive weeks. This procedure results in six months of sterility and after six months the normal fertility returns. If the temperature of water is reduced, the period of infertility is also simultaneously reduced. Say if the water is 110 degree Fahrenheit, it will result in just four months of infertility. This is an acceptable temperature in regard to normal human endurance as the threshold of pain is considered to be 118 degrees Fahrenheit. DIY Heating Gadgets These are tiny paraffin baths that are commonly used to ease the arthritic pain in the elderly population. These baths come with adjustable temperature controls, where the water is substituted by paraffin. The contraceptive results will be the same if the depilatory wax warmers that are used in beauty salons are used in its place. The temperature is constantly monitored using a tempering thermometer or the digital water proof thermometers. It is important to conduct sperm tests to ascertain that the methods used are effective. Artificial Cryptorchidism Or Suspensories This method works on the usage of insulated underwear. The resultant heat affects spermatogenesis thereby causing contraception. This can be attained if the temperature of the testes is raised to the normal body temperature. This can result in partial infertility and it has also been observed that men having retractile testes often have fertility issues. So, when the man wears underwear that maintains the testes closer to the inguinal canal, it can readily come in contact with the body temperature. This can easily happen if the brief has a ring of soft rubber. During the waking hours, the man should wear an under brief that can hold his testes snugly against his body but the penis remains unenclosed. Fertility returns to normal within 12-18 months after this method is discontinued.