The Effect of Smoking on Fertility

In case you’re wondering, yes, smoking and fertility are closely related. 

The dangers of smoking cigarettes are almost limitless. Aside from greatly increasing the risk of contracting various types of cancer, smoking also affects your ability to conceive children – not just females, but also males.

In this post, we’ll look at how smoking affects the fertility of both males and females and why it can be significantly more difficult to have a child after years of smoking. You’ll also know more about how quitting can improve your fertility.

Reduced Fertility Rates in Both Men and Women

Smoking has been directly linked to reducing fertility rates in both men and women. 

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Men who smoked had significantly lower sperm count, with the ones surviving having abnormal DNA that limited their capacity to fertilise eggs. Men who smoke are also at a high risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

On the other hand, women who currently smoke have impaired ovarian function, which may lead to irregular and painful menstruation. Furthermore, studies have also shown that oocytes or egg cells of smoking women are in poor shape and fewer than their non-smoking counterparts.

If you’ve been trying to have a baby for a while now, cigarettes may be the reason why you can’t conceive.

Negatively Affects Hormone Production

The dangerous chemicals in cigarette smoke affect virtually all systems in the body. Did you know that aside from your lungs, cigarette smoke also disrupts your hormone production?

Hormones in both males and females regulate libido, metabolism, and blood pressure. With disrupted hormone levels, you’ll likely be in poorer moods and have poor sleep quality. More importantly, abnormal hormone levels will affect your fertility. 

Damage to the Reproductive System

Aside from the lack of important hormones to improve fertility, smoking women endure plenty of issues with their reproductive system, especially when women who smoke grow older. Smoking has been proven to reduce the functionality of the fallopian tubes, which play a crucial role in pregnancy and the survivability of a fetus.

Evidence gathered by the CDC shows that smoking women are at a higher risk of having ectopic pregnancies. These dangerous pregnancies significantly lower the mortality rate of an unborn child and can also endanger the mother’s life.

Malforms Sperm DNA

In men, chemicals in cigarette smoke cause significant damage to the DNA of their sperm. Studies have shown that men who are currently smoking have lower sperm count and sperm that have abnormal DNA chain structures.

Men who keep smoking also have a high risk of, or may already have, erectile dysfunction. Surely enough, stopping smoking can help to recover from this condition and may help restore sperm count and DNA quality.

Reduces Egg Count

It’s highly likely your eggs and egg count are in bad shape if you keep on smoking. It has been found that women who actively smoke have both a poor reproductive system and a lower count and quality of egg cells. 

While quitting smoking will surely improve the function and regularity of periods, it cannot recover the damaged or dead egg cells from cigarette smoking. With every puff you take, you’re lowering the chances of fertilising a healthy egg.

Secondhand Smoking and Fertility

Passive smoking or secondhand smoke affects the health and fertility of everyone. If your spouse is smoking indoors, it affects both your fertility rates. It’s probably one of the biggest reasons you can’t conceive.

Along with improving fertility rates, you and your spouse should stop smoking for good to keep yourself healthy. 

In as little as 6 days, you’ll have a better mood, improve your blood circulation, and see some hormone benefits. Imagine what would happen if you quit for a month, a year, or even a decade.

More Reasons to Quit Smoking

Here are some more reasons to quit smoking, aside from trying to have children.

First, you could save up to $11,000 per year. Cigarettes are very expensive nowadays, costing you around $40 for a pack.

Secondly, you’ll get healthier and leave your children with no smoking-related problems in the future.

Lastly, quitting smoking improves your physical endurance, which drastically improves your quality of life. With a better physique, you’ll feel greatly confident by yourself and capable of doing almost anything, even beyond the age of retirement. 

Summary

Smoking and fertility greatly affect each other and will reduce your chances of having children. If you want to finally have a child of your own, encourage you and your partner to stop smoking and live a better life.

If you’re reading this because you wanted to know about the effects of smoking on fertility, you’re in the right place. We can provide the information and community that has helped many to quit smoking successfully.

Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around! 

If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.