Another Reason to Quit: How Smoking Affects Female Fertility By HCRM on March 15, 2016

A doctor speaking with a patientThe team at Heartland Center believes in helping patients make smart choices about their health and wellness that can improve their chances of having a child. This focus on general health as well as reproductive health makes us one of the leading fertility centers in the Omaha area.

We offer state-of-the-art fertility treatments for men and women, though our focus is ultimately on providing information to patients that can help them start the families they have always wanted. With that in mind, we want to look at how smoking can make it harder for women to have children.

Smoking Leads to Many Different Health Problems

The health problems related to smoking are well known and include and increased risk of lung cancer and lung disease, heart disease, and hypertension. Yet smoking can do much more than that. Many people are surprised to learn that smoking can also have a negative impact on fertility. It's true for both men and women, which is why people who want to start families really should consider kicking the habit for good.

Smoking Can Make Natural Conception More Difficult

A number of studies have shown that smoking has led to delays in pregnancy for couples who are trying to conceive. This can lead to a frustrating wait for pregnancy to occur if both the man and woman are smokers, though this is just the first of many issues to consider.

Nicotine Can Lead to Problems with Eggs and Ovulation

The quality of a woman's eggs and issues with ovulation are also important to consider. Smoking has been shown to affect the release of hormones in the body, which means that ovulation may be delayed or irregular. This coupled with poor egg quality means that becoming pregnant can be quite difficult.

Smoking Boosts Risk of Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy refers to cases in which eggs are fertilized while in the fallopian tubes rather than when they are in the uterus. This condition can be quite painful, and studies have found that smokers are five times more likely to experience this condition.

Smoking and IVF: Problems with Treatment

Even the latest advances in fertility treatment can't always overcome the issues caused by smoking. In vitro fertilization (IVF) patients who smoke are less likely to achieve successful pregnancy than non-smokers. This is important to keep in mind if you are considering fertility treatment to help you have a child.

Higher Miscarriage Risk for Women Who Smoke

This is perhaps most important reason to quit smoking before you attempt to have a child. Research has found that smokers are twice as likely to experience a miscarriage than non-smokers. This just goes to show how health and wellness can be seriously impacted by smoking for many years.

Speak with Your Doctor to Get Help Quitting

If you are a smoker, there are many resources available that can help you quit smoking for good and lead a healthier life. Your physician can point you to a number of resources that can make quitting easier. It can be difficult, but we urge you to do it for yourself and for your family.

Schedule a Consultation at Heartland Center

To learn more about the different treatments out there for female infertility and how we can help you start the family of your dreams, be sure to contact an experienced team of fertility specialists today. The team at Heartland Center looks forward to your visit and answering any questions that you may have.

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Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine

Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine

Our board certified fertility specialists offer state-of-the-art fertility treatments. An open and inclusive environment, the Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine can address different causes of infertility and help LGBTQ couples build loving families.

Contact our practice online or call us at (402) 717-4200 to schedule a consultation.

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