The Negative Impact of Smoking on Female Fertility
Most people are well aware of the negative impact that smoking has on the health of the lungs, as well as the risk associated with smoking and lung cancer. However, smoking can affect the body in other ways as well. For instance, smoking can greatly impact a woman’s fertility. This affect is not only experienced by active smokers, but by passive smokers as well (those exposed to second hand smoke). Women that are experiencing fertility challenges due to the effects of smoking should seek infertility treatment to increase their chances of successfully conceiving a child. Dr. Sonja Kristiansen understands how smoking affects female fertility, and she offers a range of treatments to help women with their challenges with infertility, while encouraging them on their journey to give up this harmful habit. To learn more about how smoking affects female infertility, contact our Houston, TX practice today.
How Smoking Affects Female Infertility
Most smokers are surprised to learn that smoking can negatively impact their fertility. However, what is even more shocking is seeing just how much smoking affects female fertility. Below are some of the ways in which smoking can impact female fertility and make it more difficult to conceive a child:
- Smokers are roughly twice as likely to experience infertility problems as women who are non-smokers
- Women who smoke are likely to take longer to conceive than those who don’t smoke, with smokers one and a half times more likely to take longer than a year to get pregnant
- Passive smokers are also more likely to require a year or longer to become pregnant
- Women who smoke have been shown to go through menopause earlier than non-smokers, thus shortening the window for natural conception
What studies clearly show is that smoking and being exposed to secondhand smoke not only affects a woman’s ability to become pregnant, but also the amount of time that it takes to become pregnant. Fortunately, studies suggest that, should a woman quit smoking, most of these effects should reverse themselves within about a year of quitting. Still, many women may still need help in the form of fertility treatment.
Fertility Treatment for Smokers
Because of the negative effects that smoking has on the body, fertility, and pregnancy (should a woman manage to conceive), the healthiest choice for any smoker is to give up this harmful habit. However, even when women stop smoking, they still may experience some of its effects. Fortunately, Dr. Kristiansen offers a comprehensive range of fertility treatments that can help women overcome the fertility obstacles brought on by smoking, so that they experience the joys of pregnancy and parenthood. She will help patients explore infertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to determine which is right for each situation and which is most likely to provide patients with the results they desire.
Schedule an Appointment
Experiencing infertility can make couples feel helpless and alone, but there is help and hope available. If you have struggled to make your dreams of parenthood a reality, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sonja Kristiansen at your earliest convenience to learn more about your infertility treatment options.