Does quitting smoking improve your chances of conceiving?

Most people are aware of the hazardous effects of smoking such as respiratory disease, throat cancer, and lung cancer, but individuals are not aware that both male and female infertility issues can arise as a result of smoking.
Smoking also increases the risk of complications in pregnancy. Studies suggest that compared to nonsmokers, female smokers may experience a 54% higher rate of delayed conception over 12 months. Additionally, smoking can negatively impact the results for those undergoing IVF, smokers may need nearly twice as many IVF cycles to become pregnant as nonsmokers.

Here is how quitting smoking can help improve chances of conceiving for women:

1. Restored hormone balance: Smoking disrupts hormone balance, causing irregular cycles and ovulation issues by interfering with estrogen and progesterone production. This imbalance makes conception more challenging. However, quitting smoking allows the body to gradually restore its natural hormone levels. As a result, menstrual regularity and ovulation improve, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful conception.

2. Enhanced egg quality: In addition to damaging egg DNA, smoking hastens the ageing process of the ovaries, which lowers the number of viable eggs available for fertilization and reduces the ovarian reserve. This raises the possibility of infertility and genetic disorders. However, giving up smoking can result in a notable enhancement of egg quality. It improves the odds of a successful conception and promotes healthier pregnancies by lowering the genetic risks linked to damaged DNA.

3.Reduced risk of reproductive disorders: Endometriosis (a condition when tissue that resembles the lining of the uterus develops outside of it) & polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), two conditions that can seriously hinder ovulation and conception, are closely associated with smoking. Women can significantly reduce their risk of acquiring these diseases by giving up smoking. This raises the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and successful conception.

4. Improved uterine environment: Smoking adversely affects uterine health, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of uterine fibroids. These factors can hinder embryo implantation, thereby decreasing the chances of conception. However, quitting smoking can lead to a significant improvement in uterine health. By enhancing blood flow and creating a more hospitable environment for implantation, it greatly increases the chances of successful conception and a healthy pregnancy.

5. Lower risk of pregnancy complications: Many concerns, such as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and placental issues, are linked to smoking during pregnancy. The mother and the unborn child are both seriously at risk from these issues. The risk of these issues is considerably lower if smoking cessation occurs before to conception. Better mother and fetal outcomes are ensured by promoting healthier pregnancies.

6. Increased success with fertility treatments: Smoking can significantly reduce the success rates of fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) by impairing embryo implantation and pregnancy. However, quitting smoking prior to undergoing these procedures can substantially enhance their effectiveness. By improving treatment outcomes and increasing the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy and live birth, it serves as a crucial step toward fulfilling the desire for parenthood.