Author - Dr. Shruti Mane 

MBBS, M.S, PG Diploma in ART AND Reproductive Medicine, FELLOWSHIP IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE (MUHS), Consultant - Infertility Specialist

How Does Smoking Affect Fertility?

Smoking, both active and passive is detrimental for men and women. A constant habit of having cigarettes in your hands does not only affect your lungs but it also deteriorates other organs. The harmful chemicals from cigarettes spread all across your body through the blood vessels. While its consequences may not be evident today, it may cause hindrances when planning a baby. According to Dr Shruti Mane, MBBS, MS, PG Diploma in ART and Reproductive Medicine, Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (MUHS), Consultant- Fertility Specialist, smoking is dangerous for your reproductive system and decreases your chances of having a baby. This is one of the reasons why putting a hard stop to the smoking habit is the first advice given by Dr Shruti to her patients.

How Does Smoking Affect Women’s Fertility?

A woman’s body is affected greatly by smoking. The top IVF doctor in Navi Mumbai explains how:

1. It Impacts Your Eggs Quality

Carrying cigarettes in your hands may seem fun and games for you today. It, however, can be detrimental to your body in the long run. The chemicals emitted from a cigarette spread all across your body as well as the reproductive system. Upon reaching your reproductive organs, it starts damaging your eggs by promoting premature ageing. Consequently, this leads to a repository of lower-quality eggs in your ovaries. Moreover, this habit also hampers your regular ovulation cycle and brings you to the verge of menopause.

2. More Chances of Miscarriage

As mentioned above, ovaries are adversely affected due to smoking. The best IVF doctor in Navi Mumbai tells us that the chances of women conceiving with lower-quality eggs are rare. Even if a woman conceives, the eggs may not add up to the uterine environment. This way, the eggs may not be able to sustain themselves. Moreover, smoking may also affect the quality of your embryo and increase your miscarriage chances.

How Stopping Smoking Can Affect a Woman’s Fertility?

Since a woman’s body is required to be able to sustain a baby, the fertility specialist in Navi Mumbai restricts women from smoking or even being around those who smoke.  

1. It Improves Fertility 

Quitting cigarettes can bring miraculous changes to your body. Giving up on the habit of smoking can reverse the damage caused over the years and boost your fertility. The doctor advises this, especially for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with PCOS also have a slower metabolism and smoking may further damage the condition. 

2. Normal and Full-Term Delivery 

Smoking causes hurdles in your motherhood journey right from conception. If you are a regular smoker, you may first find it difficult to conceive. Now, even if you conceive, your baby may have a premature birth or other abnormalities. Hence, putting a hard stop on cigarettes way before planning to conceive can decrease such risks. Eventually, this may also make your journey more memorable and you may also have a normal and full-term delivery.

3. Healthy Birth Weight

Smoking is hazardous for the health of both the mother and the baby. The smoke coming out of the cigarette also hampers the normal growth of your baby along with the birth weight. By quitting cigarettes, you can give your baby some fresh air to breathe and a healthy environment to grow.

If you are planning to start a family, you need to bid goodbye to cigarettes. Both you and your partner need to be clean to ensure a normal pregnancy. If you are finding it difficult to stop cigarettes or conceive, visit Dr Shruti Mane at the Motherhood Hospitals.