During the month of November, people can participate in Lung Cancer Awareness events such as the Great American Smokeout. Most people know that smoking increases the risk for heart, vascular and lung disease. But did you know? Smoking—and second-hand smoke—can cause problems with fertility in both men and women.
Great American Smokeout: Thursday November 17, 2016
If you’re ready to start a family, it’s time to stop smoking, and the Great American Smokeout is the perfect occasion to begin your tobacco-free life. On Thursday, November 17, people who use tobacco are challenged to stop smoking and learn about the tools that can help them quit for good. Even if you don’t smoke, cheer on your spouse, a friend or family member to quit. Support increases the odds of success!
The effects of smoking on your fertility
Each time you smoke, more than 7,000 chemicals spread throughout your body. This can lead to fertility problems, including:
- Irreversible damage to eggs. Chemicals in cigarette smoke, like nicotine, cyanide and carbon monoxide, accelerate the loss rate of eggs. Once eggs die off, they cannot regenerate or be replaced. As a result, women who smoke often begin menopause 1 to 4 years earlier than women who don’t smoke.
- Decreased sperm quality. Sperm quality in men can be compromised through lower numbers of sperm and higher numbers of abnormally shaped sperm. Smoking may also lessen the sperm’s ability to fertilize eggs.
- Difficulty conceiving. Infertility rates in male and female smokers are doubled compared to rates in nonsmokers. What’s more, the risk for infertility increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day. And although advanced IVF treatments are available, they may not be able to counter the damage smoking inflicts on fertility.
- Greater risk of miscarriage. Toxins from smoking, and even smokeless tobacco, harm the genetic material in eggs and sperm, which heightens the risk of miscarriage among women who smoke. Smoking also increases several health risks during pregnancy, such as preterm labor and ectopic pregnancy (occurs when an embryo implants outside the uterus, such as in one of the fallopian tubes).
New York’s choice for specialized fertility care
If you or your partner smoke and are concerned about your fertility, contact the caring, board-certified physicians at Kofinas Fertility Group. With accurate, thorough assessments, we can pinpoint the source of your infertility and customize your care with advanced treatments and therapies. If your dream is to become a parent, no one in the New York City area will work more diligently and compassionately to make it a reality.
To schedule an appointment, call 718-340-3611 or click here to use our online form.