Smoking: Increases Infertility and Early Menopause

We all know smoking and second hand smoke can hurt your health and increase your chances of developing chronic long term diseases and certain cancers, but what about your chances of getting pregnant? A new study shows that not only is smoking bad for your health but it increases your chances of infertility, making it harder to get pregnant when you’d like to.

This is linked to the idea that smoking and second hand smoke can also push one’s body into an earlier than expected menopause, before 50. Early menopause, advanced ovarian age, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), advanced maternal age and premature ovarian failure (POF) are all linked to infertility and can be the main reason why it is so difficult for some women to get pregnant.

In California it is illegal to smoke in most of the buildings now, but there are many people across the country and all over the world where smoking is normalized and is still a habit that many won’t give up – yet. If you don’t smoke, don’t start now, and if you don’t smoke, but you are exposed to second hand smoke, get away. This exposure can have negative effects on your lungs, your potential to have a child, and your child’s lungs.

If you do smoke, consider quitting right away if you are TTC (trying to conceive). If you are having trouble quitting, seek help – ask your GP or doctor for recommendations. There are plenty of options, the safest of which is Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM uses acupuncture and sometimes herbal medicine to reduce cravings and make quitting easier and faster, not to mention getting pregnant quicker! Acupuncture and herbal medicine are being used to not only create peace and calm during preconception times, but they also help to increase blood flow, balance hormones, release endorphins (those feel-good chemicals in teh brain), increase the chances of getting pregnant when used with IVF and IUI, and support a healthy pregnancy!

If you are having trouble conceiving, reach out. Ask for help. Our office is available to answer any questions you have to help you heal and move forward on your journey to motherhood.