According to a new report from the World Health Organization, tobacco smoking is directly linked to an increased risk of infertility in women and causes significant harm to sperm quality and sexual function in men, affecting one in six people globally who fail to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
The Impact of Tobacco on Female Fertility and Reproductive Health
Decades of evidence cited by the World Health Organization show that tobacco use is strongly associated with female infertility. According to Dr. Kerstin Schotte, Medical Officer with WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative, anyone planning a pregnancy should immediately stop smoking to improve their overall and reproductive health.
The health agency notes that quitting can make a measurable difference for prospective parents. Women who smoked in the past but no longer do so may experience a 25 percent lower risk of infertility compared to those who continue smoking tobacco products.
Furthermore, the risks extend beyond active smokers. Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke can also affect fertility, lowering the likelihood of conceiving each month a person tries, meaning individuals face potential reproductive risks even if they do not smoke themselves.
Did You Know?
According to the World Health Organization, infertility is defined as failing to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, a condition that currently impacts one in six people globally.
https://x.com/WHO/status/2097259958161101198
Male Reproductive Dysfunction and Semen Abnormalities
Infertility is not solely a women’s issue, as the World Health Organization explicitly stresses. A comprehensive review of 44 studies involving more than 60,000 men found a clear link between smoking and reproductive dysfunction, including semen abnormalities and sexual dysfunction.
The available evidence indicates that men who smoke face a higher likelihood of experiencing erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems. Additional issues tied to tobacco use include the complete absence of sperm in semen, poor sperm motility, and abnormal sperm shape, according to the UN health agency.
Beyond traditional cigarettes, the organization identified emerging risks associated with waterpipe smoking—also known as hookah or shisha—which may also negatively affect male fertility.
How Smoking Reduces the Success of Fertility Treatments
For couples turning to medical interventions, tobacco use presents a major hurdle. Earlier research spanning 21 studies links cigarette smoking to fewer live births and lower pregnancy success rates following assisted reproduction procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Data highlights that cigarette smoking could reduce the chances of successful fertility treatment outcomes by roughly half. To combat these risks, the World Health Organization recommends that healthcare providers actively discuss the reproductive hazards of tobacco use with individuals and couples planning a pregnancy.
Pro Tip for Healthcare Settings
The World Health Organization calls for evidence-based cessation support, including the routine provision of brief cessation advice to tobacco users across all healthcare settings, to help patients protect their reproductive futures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does smoking affect male fertility?
Yes. According to World Health Organization reviews of multiple studies, smoking in men is linked to semen abnormalities, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation problems.
Can quitting smoking reverse infertility risks?
Evidence cited by the World Health Organization indicates that women who used to smoke but have quit may lower their risk of infertility by 25 percent compared to those who continue smoking.
Does second-hand smoke impact reproductive health?
Yes. Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke can lower the likelihood of conceiving each month, introducing potential reproductive risks for non-smokers, according to the WHO.
How does smoking impact IVF and other fertility treatments?
Research analyzed by the WHO links cigarette smoking to fewer live births and reduced success rates for assisted reproduction, potentially cutting the chances of successful outcomes by roughly half.
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