Smoking and reproduction: the harmful effects of tobacco

Smoking couples take longer to conceive a child than non-smokers. Secondhand smoke is almost as dangerous as smoking, and women exposed to secondhand smoke take longer to conceive than women who are not. Why? Because the Smoking affects all stages of the reproductive process, in both men and women.

A study[1] revealed that tobacco consumption affected uterine receptivityEven relatively low levels of smoking can have a significant impact on female fertility. The rate of ectopic pregnancies is also higher among smokers. Studies suggest that smoking reduces the effectiveness of infertility treatments. Others show a reduction in 50% of the implantation rate among smokers compared to women who never smoked[2]. Finally, we also note an earlier onset of menopause.

Other studies[3] show that Men whose mothers smoked during pregnancy may have smaller testicles, a lower total sperm count. Men who smoke have lower sperm counts than nonsmokers and their semen contains a higher proportion of malformed sperm. Nicotine derivatives in the semen of smokers have been shown to reduce sperm motility and fertilization ability. Although there is a correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked and sperm damage, researchers have found that there is no "safe" level of smoking. Smoking is associated with reduced male fertility regardless of the amount smoked. Finally, Smoking is significantly associated with male sexual impotence.

Research also shows that smokers are more likely to suffer from infertility than non-smokers.