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Smoking infiltrates every corner of our body, wreaking havoc on organs from top to bottom. While we are familiar with its notorious effects on lung and heart health, its deleterious effects on fertility and reproductive well-being often remain untold.
- Smoking greatly reduces fertilityAttempts to conceive become more challenging and longer for smokers. The chance of pregnancy decreases with increasing cigarette consumption, especially if a woman smokes more than 10 cigarettes per day. Additionally, smoking adversely affects the success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF), with smokers requiring more cycles for successful outcomes than non-smokers.
- Smoking accelerates the onset of menopauseSmoking causes premature depletion of ovarian reserves and shortens ovarian lifespan by approximately 1–4 years, leading to early menopause.
- Smoking poses a risk to pregnancyPregnant women who smoke face an increased risk of complications, including spontaneous pregnancy loss, premature rupture of membranes, and premature delivery. Additionally, smoking during pregnancy increases the chance of miscarriage and contributes to low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction. The toxic components of cigarette smoke increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, a dangerous condition where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.
- Smoking endangers the health of the unborn babyTobacco use during pregnancy, including vaping, exposes the fetus to nicotine, leading to impaired fetal and postnatal development. Children of mothers who smoke are at risk of allergies, respiratory infections, asthma and reduced lung function. Additionally, they face risks of stunted growth, lower academic performance, hyperactivity, and obesity, with potential links to serious mental illness.
- Smoking compromises sperm quality and DNA integrityIn men, smoking reduces sperm count and motility, hampering fertility. Increase in smoking is associated with greater reduction in semen quality.
Use of any tobacco product while trying to conceive or during pregnancy poses a risk to both mother and baby. It is important to quit smoking, including vaping or hookah use, to reduce these risks. Fortunately, studies indicate that most fertility loss associated with smoking can be reversed within a year of quitting, underscoring the importance of quitting early for the well-being of both parent and child. .