According to the Practice Committee of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), approximately 30% of reproductive age women smoke cigarettes. Smoking is usually associated with ill effects such as lung cancer, heart and vessel disease, emphysema, and even yellowing of the teeth. But most women do not realize that smoking also has a permanent negative impact on their fertility. The Committee goes on to state, “the available biologic, experimental, and epidemiological data indicate that up to 13% of infertility may be attributable to cigarette smoking.”
Numerous published studies support the findings that “the prevalence of infertility is higher, fecundity (ability to conceive) is lower, and the time to conception is increased in smokers compared to nonsmokers.” The Practice Committee reported that a major study revealed that “active smoking was associated with a failure to conceive within both 6- and 12-month durations of study. Increasing delay to conception correlated with increasing daily numbers of cigarettes smoked. The percentage of women experiencing conception delay for over 12 months was 54% higher for smokers than in nonsmokers. Active smoking by either partner had adverse effects, and the impact of passive cigarette smoke exposure alone was only slightly smaller than for active smoking by either partner.” So, women who smoke or are exposed to smoke from cigarettes have been found to have lower fertility than those who do not smoke.
Why does smoking lead to a decrease in fertility? Women are born with ovaries containing all of their lifetime eggs. Unlike men who can create sperm on a daily basis, women are unable to make any more eggs. According to the Practice committee of ASRM, “chemicals in cigarette smoke appear to accelerate follicular depletion and the loss of reproductive function.” So, women who smoke run out of eggs faster which leads to a premature lowering of fertility. Women who quit smoking may have returned to the regular rate of egg loss but the increased loss of eggs during their time of smoking cannot be reversed. According to the Practice Committee, smoking “may advance the time of menopause by one to four years.”
If you smoke and desire to conceive, I recommend that you stop smoking. Quitting smoking is difficult. Even among women who understand the consequences of smoking, the ability to quit smoking is not easy. Thankfully, there are many methods to try to help you quit smoking. Contact your Ob/Gyn or primary care physician and ask them about the methods you can use to quit.
Source: Fertility and Sterility, Volume 90, Issue 5, Page S254-9, November 2008, Authors: Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Dr. Lowell T. Ku, M.D. is a leading Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist at Dallas IVF, one the nation’s premiere infertility centers. Dr. Ku clarifies the many confusing terms used in the world of Infertility using straightforward explanations.
2 Comments
LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the information provided. This article doesn’t really go into details of men that smoke and the effects this could cause on there infertility – do you have any information? My Husband is the smoker and has attempted to stop on several occasions, just wondering the impact this may have for men?
Hi Rosa,
The effect of smoking on male fertility is more difficult to discern. Reductions in sperm density, motility, and a possible adverse effect on morphology have been demonstrated. The decrease in sperm concentration averaged 22% and was dose-dependent. Additionally, your husband’s passive smoke is inhaled by you and can contribute to lowering your fertility as well. So, I recommend that he try to quit smoking. Also, when your husband is ready, have him visit his regular doctor to learn about all the options for smoking cessation.
I wish you the best!
Lowell