Skin Bleaching Linked to Declining Sperm Counts in Jamaican Men

Jamaica has witnessed a decrease in birth rates in recent years, with medical experts attributing lower sperm counts among young men to the use of skin-bleaching creams.

During the American College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists (ACOG) West Indies Section’s Infertility Update, held at the Summit Kingston hotel in New Kingston, Dr. Kamali Carroll highlighted the global decline in sperm quality. She emphasised the role of various risk factors, including obesity, chronic illnesses, and excessive marijuana use, with skin bleaching creams emerging as a significant concern locally.

Dr. Jordan Hardie, chairman of the ACOG West Indies Section, said that the rising infertility rates in Jamaica, citing data that indicated a decline in birth rates and fertility in both genders.