Tobacco Can Lead Infertility in Both Gender

We know that Infertility is defined as a failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more regular unprotected sexual intercourse. One in six people experience infertility. It can also cause global public health issue. We also know Tobacco use is recognized as chronic heart disease and respiratory disease. It can also cause an impact on reproductive health also. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use can reduce fertility in both men and women and difficult to conceive for couples. WHO also recommend that healthcare provides educate individuals planning pregnancy about these risks and offer evidence-based support to help them quit tobacco. 

How Tobacco Affects Women’s Fertility

Scientific evidence based in Bangladesh linking chewing Guls (Tobacco Containing Substance) and smoking cigarette can cause women’s fertility. According to the WHO knowledge, women who chewing tobacco substance or smoking cigarette have a significantly higher risk of infertility than women who don’t chew tobacco or smoking cigarette. Smoking or Chewing can delay the conception. Women who continue smoking or chewing while trying to be pregnant are more likely conceive than who do not smoke or chewing tobacco. WHO reports that women who quit smoking may have a 25% lower risk of infertility compared with women who continue smoking or chewing.

Moreover, women who don’t smoke themselves are not protected. They are being exposed by second hand smoke. The second-hand smoke has also been linked to infertility and reduced the chances of conception. This means that protecting women from tobacco smoke at and public places is an important step toward safeguarding reproductive health.

How Tobacco Affects Male Fertility

The harmful effects of smoking are not limited to women. WHO reports that cigarette smoking is associated with several problems affecting male reproductive health including poorer semen quality and sexual dysfunction.

Studies have shown that men who smoke or take tobacco are more likely to experience

·        Reduce sperm count

·        Poor sperm movement (Motility)

·         Abnormal sperm shape

·        Erectile Dysfunction

·        Ejaculation problems

·        In some cases, azoospermia (Complete absence of sperm in semen)

E cigarette and waterpipe smoking have been also associated with lower semen volume and poorer sperm quality.

Tobacco Can Reduce Fertility Treatment Success

For couples seeking medical treatment for infertility, smoking may make success less likely. WHO reports that cigarette smoking has been linked to fewer pregnancies and fewer births among people undergoing fertility treatment such as In Vitro Fertilization.

Every Form of Tobacco Matters

Many people believe that only cigarette is harmful. However, WHO emphasizes that tobacco products come in many forms, including cigarette, cigars, bidis, waterpipes, chewing tobacco and nicotine containing e cigarette. Those substances can damage the reproductive system.

WHO’s Advice for Couples Planning Pregnancy

The WHO recommends that health care providers routinely discuss tobacco use with people of reproductive age and provide brief advice and effective support for quitting. Recommend approaches including counseling. Quit lines, mobile messaging program, digital tools as chatbots and apps and approved cessation medication where appropriate.

A Preventable Risk

Infertility is a complex condition with many possible causes, and tobacco is only one of them. However, unlike many other risk factors, smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke are largely preventable. Quitting tobacco can improve reproductive health, increase the chances of pregnancy, and provide lifelong health benefits for both parents and future children. Protecting fertility begins with making healthier choices today, and avoiding tobacco is one of the most important steps anyone planning a family can take.

Name: SMM MUSABBIR UDDIN

Session: 2020-21

UNIVERSAL MEDICAL COLLEGE

Email: musabbirshovon2000@gmail.com

Reference

1)      https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/386906

2)      https://www.who.int/health-topics/infertility

3)      https://www.who.int/health-topics/tobacco#tab=tab_1

4)      https://groups.ibpnetwork.org/g/globalfertilitycare