There are a lot of excuses that people who smoke use to justify continuing their habits:
It de-stresses me.
It’s a social thing.
I only smoke when I drink…
I’m addicted to nicotine and can’t quit.
I just like the feeling of it.
But no one ever says, “I smoke so I can get pregnant more easily.” That wouldn’t make sense… even to the most prolific smoker.
Smoking has long been known as a no-no during pregnancy, but it’s also been proven to negatively affect those going through fertility treatments. In males, smoking has been shown to lower testosterone and sperm count levels, two essential elements of fertilization. In females, smoking affects ova (eggs) and cervical mucus. Mix a smoking male and a smoking female together, and the implications for fertility issues are clear.
Even with the most up-to-date fertility treatments available, men and women who are smokers make it more difficult for them to have successful outcomes. Thus, it becomes important for them to stop smoking before fertility treatments begin.
How soon to begin a cessation program before fertility treatments start depends upon a number of factors. Consequently, you and your partner should converse with your fertility specialist to figure out when and how to quit. In the long run, it will not only help you increase your chances of becoming pregnant, but it will also give you a statistically better likelihood of living a longer, healthier life.
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