The detrimental effects of smoking permeate every inch of our bodies, sparing no organ from harm.
While we’re familiar with its impact on lung and heart health, its repercussions on fertility and reproductive wellness are often overlooked.
1. Fertility issues
Smoking slashes fertility rates, prolonging the journey to conception. The more one smokes, the slimmer the chances of pregnancy become, with females smoking over 10 cigarettes a day facing the greatest hurdles.
Even assisted reproductive techniques like IVF are less successful for smokers, requiring more cycles for conception compared to non-smokers. Quitting smoking is crucial when trying to conceive, as smoking significantly impacts fertility and reproductive health.
2. Smoking damages DNA and effects the sperm quality
Smoking jeopardizes sperm quality, diminishing count and motility in men, further complicating fertility. Whether through cigarettes, vaping, or hookah, no tobacco product is safe for conception, sperm quality and may cause erectile dysfunction.
3. Early menopause
Smoking accelerates ovarian aging, leading to early menopause, typically occurring 1-4 years earlier than in non-smokers, due to premature depletion of the ovarian reserve.
4. Effects on pregnancy
Expectant mothers who smoke face elevated risks during pregnancy, including spontaneous loss, preterm labour, and low birth weight. The dangers extend to ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilized egg implants outside the womb, posing grave threats to both mother and child. Offspring of smoking mothers face a myriad of health challenges, from respiratory issues to developmental delays and heightened susceptibility to allergies. Mental health may also be affected, though evidence remains inconclusive.
Reproductive health involves the well-being of the reproductive system throughout a woman’s life. Issues like infertility, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive cancers fall under this category. Education, access to contraception and comprehensive sexual health services are essential for promoting reproductive health.
5. Impacts child’s health
All tobacco products, including vaping, pose risks to fetal and postnatal development. Children born to smoking mothers are more prone to allergies, respiratory infections, asthma, and low lung function. Additionally, they may experience developmental issues like short stature, attention deficits, hyperactivity, and lower academic performance.
The takeaway
Both partners must abstain, as smoking by either can impact fertility and offspring health. Fortunately, research suggests that much of the fertility damage caused by smoking can be reversed within a year of quitting. So, the sooner you quit, the brighter the prospects for you and your future family.
