Smoking is a habit that can have detrimental effects on both your general health and your fertility. For couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), smoking can significantly impact the chances of success. In this article, we will explore the relationship between smoking and IVF, and why it is crucial to quit smoking before undergoing fertility treatment.
Age and Fertility
Age plays a crucial role in female fertility. As women age, the number and quality of their eggs decline. This decline in natural fertility accelerates after the age of 35, making it more challenging to conceive. IVF success rates also decrease with age, with women under 35 having a 37% chance of a live birth compared to only 15% for women aged 40 (National averages, HFEA Trends and Figures, published March 2018).
Advancing age not only affects egg quantity but also egg quality. Genetic abnormalities in eggs become more frequent as women age, leading to lower success rates with assisted conception and an increased risk of miscarriage.
Therefore, women over 35 who are struggling to achieve pregnancy should seek advice from their GP sooner rather than later.
The Impact of Smoking on Ovarian Reserve
Ovarian reserve refers to the number of follicles a woman has in her ovaries. Women are born with around 1 million follicles, which decrease to around 300,000 by the onset of puberty. Only about 300 follicles are ovulated during a woman's reproductive years, while the rest are lost through a process called atresia.
Smoking accelerates the loss of follicles, leading to a decline in ovarian reserve. This decline in egg quantity can be assessed through blood tests for hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and ultrasounds to check the antral follicle count (AFC).
The Effect of Smoking on IVF
Smoking has been shown to have a negative impact on female fertility and IVF outcomes. Research suggests that smokers are 6 times more likely to experience infertility than non-smokers. Furthermore, smokers have approximately half the chance of a successful IVF outcome compared to non-smokers.
Smoking directly affects ovarian function, the Fallopian tubes, and the cervix. During IVF, this can result in a reduced number of eggs retrieved and fewer embryos available for transfer. Women who smoke during treatment have a 50% lower chance of successful implantation following IVF compared to non-smokers.
For pregnant women, smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight infants. Studies have also shown that smoking during pregnancy can affect the future sperm count of male offspring. Male fertility is also impacted by smoking, with lower sperm density and decreased sperm morphology, viability, and motility observed in smokers.
Quitting Smoking for IVF
If you are a smoker considering IVF, it is crucial to quit smoking before starting fertility treatment. Quitting smoking can improve your chances of success and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and birth defects.
Quitting smoking is not easy, but there are resources available to help you. Websites such as Stop Smoking London and the British Heart Foundation provide information, advice, and support. You can also seek assistance from your local NHS stop smoking service.
Preparing for the day you quit smoking, downloading apps for support, reminding yourself of the reasons why you want to quit, finding coping mechanisms for cravings, and remembering that there is never just one cigarette are practical tips recommended by the NHS to help you quit smoking.
Smoking has a significant impact on fertility and IVF outcomes. It is crucial for both men and women to quit smoking before undergoing fertility treatment to improve their chances of success and reduce the risk of complications. If you are considering IVF, speak to your healthcare provider for support and guidance on quitting smoking.
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