Why Is Smoking Infertility's Silent Partner? Expert Advice From Dr Nisha Buchade

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The conversation around smoking often focuses on its impact on the lungs, heart, and risk of cancer. But one crucial area that's frequently overlooked is fertility. Cigarettes don't just cut your breath short-they may be cutting short your chances of becoming a parent.

In an exclusive interview with Boldsky, Dr Nisha Buchade, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at Vasavi Hospitals, warns that smoking is a deeply underestimated factor in infertility, affecting both men and women, active and passive smokers alike. "It's not just a lifestyle choice anymore," she says. "It's a reproductive health crisis."

Photo Credit: Dr Nisha Buchade (left)

Smoking And Female Fertility, Why It Is A Hormonal Hijack

Dr Buchade explains that smoking directly interferes with female hormones-primarily estrogen, the hormone responsible for regulating ovulation and menstrual cycles. "Smoking causes hormonal disruption. It lowers estrogen levels, leading to irregular cycles and even ovulation problems," she states.

But the damage doesn't stop there. Cigarette toxins accelerate the loss of eggs and cause DNA damage within them, significantly reducing both egg quality and quantity. "The female reproductive system is incredibly sensitive to toxic exposure. Women who smoke are compromising their ovarian reserve much faster than non-smokers," she adds.

Infertility is a serious health issue worldwide, affecting approximately 8%-10% of couples worldwide. Of 60-80 million couples suffering from infertility every year worldwide, probably between 15 and 20 million (25%) are in India alone. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every four couples in developing countries is affected by infertility.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Menopause Clock Ticks Faster For Smokers

Another alarming revelation from Dr Buchade is the impact of smoking on menopause timing. "We're seeing women who smoke going into menopause one to four years earlier than average," she notes. While this might sound harmless on the surface, early menopause shortens the fertile window and can complicate natural conception, especially for women trying to conceive in their 30s or later.

Fallopian Tubes And Risk Of Ectopic Pregnancy

A less-discussed consequence of smoking is its effect on the fallopian tubes. "Excessive smoking increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy," says Dr Buchade. This is a serious condition where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. Not only does it make a successful pregnancy impossible, but it can also become a medical emergency. "The fallopian tubes are delicate, and toxins from cigarette smoke make them prone to damage, scarring, and dysfunction," she explains.

IVF Success Rates Drop Sharply Among Smokers

Many couples today turn to assisted reproductive technologies like IVF for help. But smokers face an uphill battle even here. According to Dr Buchade, smokers typically require higher doses of fertility drugs and more IVF attempts compared to non-smokers. "The success rates are about 30% lower in smokers," she says bluntly. "It becomes emotionally and financially exhausting for couples who are already struggling."

Men Are Not Immune: Smoking And Male Fertility

While women often bear the brunt of fertility-related conversations, Dr Buchade is quick to point out that men are just as vulnerable. "Men who smoke usually have a lower sperm count and poor sperm quality," she says. Smoking impairs sperm concentration and total count, which means fewer chances of a sperm reaching and fertilizing an egg.

But there's more. Dr Buchade reveals that smoking also affects sperm motility-the ability of sperm to swim efficiently-as well as morphology, or sperm shape. "Abnormal-shaped sperm with reduced motility are far less likely to result in successful fertilization," she says.

Worse still, smoking causes oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation in sperm, which can lead to miscarriage or hinder embryo development even after fertilization. "It's not just about getting pregnant. It's also about staying pregnant and ensuring the health of the embryo," she cautions.

Why Passive Smoking Is A Hidden Fertility Risk

You don't have to be a smoker to suffer the consequences. Dr Buchade stresses the dangers of passive smoking, especially in couples trying to conceive. "Secondhand smoke can affect non-smoking partners by disrupting hormone levels and damaging reproductive tissues," she says.

Passive exposure to tobacco toxins can silently impair fertility without either partner realizing the root cause.

How To Recover

The good news, says Dr Buchade, is that quitting smoking can significantly reverse some of the damage. "Within three months of quitting, we've seen improvements in sperm quality in men," she confirms. For women, ovulation becomes more regular, and overall reproductive health begins to improve over time.

Dr Buchade encourages couples who are planning a family to treat smoking cessation as a shared responsibility. "It's not just about cutting cigarettes," she says. "It's about giving yourself the best possible chance to become a parent."

If You Want To Conceive

Dr Buchade urges couples not to overlook its hidden impact on fertility. "People often think fertility is about age, weight, or stress-but smoking is right up there, silently reducing your chances," she emphasizes.

Her message is simple yet urgent: "If you're trying to conceive or planning to start a family, quitting smoking should be your first step-not your last resort."

The conversation about quitting smoking often starts with the lungs-but perhaps it should start with the heart, and the hope of creating new life. Because when it comes to fertility, the best thing you can do is put the cigarette down-for yourself, your partner, and the future you dream of building.