How does Smoking Effect Fertility

Wanting to get pregnant is the most natural desire in a woman. She dreams of having babies since a little girl, playing with her dolls and nurturing them like a mother. However, growing up exposes her to a lot of bad habits, especially that of smoking. Unfortunately, there are many women today who become addicted to cigarettes. However, not being able to get pregnant cannot always be a woman’s fault. Sometimes it’s the partner (the man) who is a smoker and infertile.

Men who smoke have serious issues with there sperm count. In women smoking leads to decrease in the quality and quantity of eggs. To understand this hazardous cycle more clearly, what happens is- when the man smokes, toxic matter found in tobacco is freed into his blood. From the bloodstream this toxic matter makes its passage into the male semen, leading to infertility. For women who smoke, tobacco alters the cervical mucus and restricts the sperm from reaching the egg, leading to infertility. Moreover since the egg count decreases the chances of getting pregnant decrease considerably.

It has been found that women who smoke have 40% chances of not conceiving. In fact, the fertility health deteriorates by a decade in smokers. For instance, a twenty five year old smoker will have the fertility of a thirty five year old non smoker, which is pretty bad.

However, in a year after quitting, the fertility increases tremendously. Also, if a smoker conceives, but does not leave smoking then it can cause serious damage to the baby inside the womb. The baby can be born with low birth weight and even a nicotine addiction. Furthermore, as the baby ages, there is a grave possibility that he/she might face mental and developmental issues.

Therefore, smoking is one bad habit both men and women should stay away from. It is hazardous for ones overall health and well being, and exceptionally destructive if one wants to get pregnant.