When a woman is planning to have a baby, there are many questions that come to mind. Many of them are related to the health risks that may affect the baby and the woman during pregnancy, but the first questions are usually about what helps or hinders a woman from getting pregnant.
There are also those questions that overlap between these two subjects, such as when a woman wonders if being a smoker makes it harder to get pregnant. Is there actually a relationship between these two things? What precautions should be taken? That’s exactly the topic we’re addressing today.
The Relationship Between Cigarettes and Infertility
It’s common knowledge that cigarettes affect your health in many ways, but what many people don’t know is that smoking can also interfere with both male and female fertility. In fact, research shows that the effects of smoking are even stronger in women when it comes to fertility. Just to give you an idea, a woman who smokes regularly has about 45% lower chances of getting pregnant compared to a non-smoker. But why does this happen?
Firstly, smoking can significantly decrease estrogen levels in a woman’s body, and can also cause serious changes in her ovarian reserve. Additionally, nicotine, one of the main and most dangerous substances found in cigarettes, can cause a number of other harms, which we’ll talk about below. So, if you want to get pregnant, it’s time to quit smoking!
What Problems Can Smoking Cause to the Reproductive System?
There are various problems that smoking can cause, making fertilization more difficult in several ways. Some of these problems are:
- Problems with ovarian reserves;
- Difficulty with egg implantation;
- Early menopause;
- Decreased ovulation rates;
- Total infertility;
- Difficulty with embryo movement through the fallopian tubes, which can cause a tubal pregnancy;
- Miscarriage.
As you can see, yes, being a smoker makes it harder to get pregnant—but not only that. Smoking can cause various problems even for those mothers who are smokers and manage to conceive.
The problems caused to the baby by this addiction can also be very serious, especially those affecting the lungs and heart, which are a major cause of concern.
The Solution to the Problem
If being a smoker makes it harder to get pregnant, the solution seems very simple: Quit smoking. But, despite its apparent simplicity, this can often be a more difficult task than it seems.
That’s because tobacco addiction is categorized as a disease—a dependence on tobacco. And for a person to recover from this disease, willpower alone is not enough—even though it makes a big difference—but also requires medical support.
So, it’s recommended that you see a doctor, explain your situation, saying that you’re a smoker, that you want to try to conceive, and that you want to quit smoking. The doctor will carry out all the necessary tests, advise you on the best ways for you to overcome tobacco addiction, and tell you how long you should wait to have a completely healthy pregnancy.
Without this information and by acting on your own, you risk not only your own health, but also your pregnancy and your future baby’s health. The solution to this problem is simple, but it’s not always an easy journey to reach the desired results.
Don’t dismiss the help of a psychologist if you believe it’s necessary in your case; this is a healthy and smart way to deal with the situation.
Smoking During Pregnancy
Another important point that should be mentioned when discussing whether being a smoker affects getting pregnant, are the consequences that smoking brings to pregnancy. Although it’s widely publicized and generally known, many people don’t take it seriously or think this is an exaggeration, but the truth is that smoking is one of the most dangerous things for pregnant women.
Recent studies indicate that about 87% of women who smoke do not give up cigarettes during pregnancy. This is extremely dangerous for both mother and baby. Some of the main problems that can occur are:
- Miscarriage, since fertility is seriously compromised by smoking
- The baby may be born with serious lung problems that could affect them for life;
- Heart problems in the baby;
- Risk of sudden infant death;
- Problems with fetal growth;
- Higher risk of the baby developing cancer;
- During breastfeeding, you end up passing toxic substances to the baby.
There are many harms that smoking brings to both the woman and her baby. So, on one hand, being a smoker makes it hard to get pregnant, and on the other hand, if a smoker manages to get pregnant and continues to smoke, this can be even more harmful.
Does Alcoholism Lower Fertility?
Yes, just like cigarettes, alcohol also affects both male and female fertility. The difference is that alcohol consumption isn’t always an addiction, and many women consume these substances moderately, which is not usually the case with cigarettes.
In women, alcohol can cause certain hormonal changes that interfere when trying to get pregnant. This can happen even in those who only drink socially, although problems are much more likely among women who drink regularly.
A woman who drinks alcohol has lower chances of getting pregnant compared to those who live a healthy lifestyle—and higher chances than those who smoke. The recommendation, therefore, is that you avoid using either of these substances, not only to be healthier but also to improve your chances of getting pregnant and to reduce risks to your baby.
So-called legal drugs, especially cigarettes, are generally lethal for women who are thinking of becoming pregnant. Even though there are cases of babies born unaffected by their mothers’ smoking during pregnancy, these cases should be seen for what they are: exceptions.
It’s scientifically proven that smoking not only hinders a woman’s chances of having a child but can also harm the baby in many ways, even leading to miscarriage. So yes, being a smoker does make it harder to get pregnant, and the best thing a woman wanting to have a child can do is to quit smoking before she starts trying.
That way, the woman is doing a favor to her own health, as well as taking a first step towards a new life with her future baby.
See Also: Drugs in Pregnancy – What Do They Do?
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