Smoking and infertility: the effect of nicotine on the reproductive system

Can smoking cause infertility?

How does nicotine affect reproductive function in men and women? Everyone knows that smoking is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. However, numerous studies, including those from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), confirm that there is a direct correlation between smoking and infertility.

How does smoking affect fertility?

Smoking has negative effects on the reproductive system of both men and women. The harmful substances in tobacco smoke cause significant changes in the body, reducing the chances of successful conception.

Effects of smoking on the male reproductive system

Among the effects of smoking on male fertility are

• deterioration of blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
• an impairment of spermatogenesis;
• a decrease in libido and erectile dysfunction.

These factors significantly reduce the likelihood of successful conception - studies show that men who smoke have a 20 to 30% lower chance of being fertile compared to non-smokers.

Effects of smoking on the female reproductive system

In women, smoking causes

• an impairment of blood supply to the reproductive organs;
• hormonal dysfunction;
• a decrease in libido;
• a doubling of the risk of early menopause;
• an increased likelihood of infertility;
• an increased risk of cancer.

Smoking and female infertility

Nicotine has extremely adverse effects on women's health. In female smokers, the ovarian reserve depletes more quickly, leading to a decrease in the number of eggs that can be fertilized. Female smokers experience menopause earlier than non-smokers, and those who smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day are at a much higher risk of premature menopause.

Moreover, women who smoke have difficulty conceiving. Even with assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and ICSI, women who smoke have lower chances of getting pregnant.

Smoking during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the unborn child. It increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and intrauterine developmental delays. Children of smoking mothers often suffer from physical and mental delays. Additionally, their sons are more likely to develop cryptorchidism, smaller testicles, and lower quality sperm in the future.

Smoking and male infertility

Nicotine has a devastating effect on the male reproductive system. In our blog, we examined The top 5 causes of male infertility. One of the most dangerous components of tobacco smoke is benzopyrene, which causes mutations in DNA.

In men who smoke, the following genetic disorders in sperm are more frequently detected:

• increased frequency of chromosomal disomy;
• increased sensitivity of sperm DNA to oxidative stress;
• an increase in the number of DNA strand breaks;
• disruption of sperm membrane integrity.

These changes negatively affect the fertilization capacity of sperm and may increase the risk of congenital anomalies in the future child.

Recovery of reproductive function after quitting smoking

Quitting smoking is the first and most important step to improving fertility. The body has the ability to self-repair, and a few months after quitting smoking, improvements in sperm parameters in men and normalization of hormonal environment in women can be observed.

The specialists at the "Natuvitro" clinic diagnose and treat infertility, including cases caused by bad habits. If you have any questions or want to know how to increase your chances of achieving the long-awaited pregnancy, make an appointment for a consultation with our specialists.