Smoking can be such a hard habit to give up. But if you are a smoker and are having trouble getting pregnant, you may want to consider quitting. This may be one of the best things you can do for your health and for your fertility.
Fact 1: Smoking can cause infertility.
Women who smoke have a higher risk of fertility problems than nonsmokers. This risk increases for those who smoke frequently and those who smoke for a long period of time. If you smoke, you may be at an increased risk for a number of fertility problems, including ovulation problems, genetic issues, and damage to your reproductive organs. In addition, smokers may have less success with fertility treatments.
Here are three more ways that smoking can harm your fertility:
- Smoking can affect your eggs. As women age, the number of eggs we have starts to decline. Smokers experience this decline at a faster rate than other women, which can make it harder to get pregnant.
- Smoking can lead to an infertility condition called diminished ovarian reserve, leaving women facing premature menopause.
- Cigarette smoking increases your risk for many cancers, including cervical cancer. Cancer and cancer treatments may leave you infertile.
Fact 2: Exposure to secondhand smoke can make it harder to get pregnant.
Live with a smoker? Encourage your loved one to stop. When you breathe in secondhand smoke, nicotine and other toxic substances in cigarettes can upset your natural hormonal balance. Exposure to cigarette smoke for even just a few days can disrupt the health of your eggs and (if you are pregnant) your unborn children.
Learn why you should kick the habit for good when trying to get pregnant.
Fact 3: Smoking increases the chance of miscarriage
Those warning labels on cigarette packages are no joke. Smokers are more likely to suffer miscarriages than nonsmokers. In addition, preterm labor and ectopic pregnancies occur more often for smokers than nonsmokers. Despite these warnings, millions of women of childbearing age still continue to smoke. By doing so, they risk their own health and the health of their children and unborn babies.
Find out how smoking can cause problems for women seeking infertility treatments.
Fact 4: Male infertility is also linked to smoking.
Can smoking also cause infertility problems in men? You bet. For men, cigarette smoking can decrease sperm count, cause hormonal problems, and affect sperm motility (the ability of sperm to swim towards and penetrate the egg). Smoking can also cause erectile dysfunction - trouble getting or maintaining an erection.
Fact 5: Quit smoking now and increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Fertility often improves for women after they stop smoking. Studies show that female smokers can increase their chances of conceiving by quitting at least two months before trying to get pregnant.
It is important to take care of your health when trying to conceive. One of the best things that you can do to increase your chances of getting pregnant is to quit smoking. Make an appointment with your doctor today and find out how to kick the habit for good.
Ask a doctor about infertility symptoms
Sources: American Society for Reproductive Medicine: Smoking and infertility: http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/smoking.pdf American Council on Science and Health: Cigarette Smoking and Sexual Health: http://www.acsh.org/healthissues/newsID.646/healthissue_detail.asp American Society for Reproductive Medicine: “What am I doing that can cause infertility?” American Society for Reproductive Medicine: “Exposure to Cigarette Smoke Damages Eggs, Impairs Embryo Development.”
