You must have heard that smoking can impair all processes and functions in the body, including the formation of sperm. So what is the actual effect of smoking on sperm quality and the health of male reproductive organs in general?
A cigarette contains more than 7000 chemicals. Besides being harmful to the lungs and various other organs of the body, the chemicals contained in cigarettes also have a bad effect on fertility.
Smoker's Sperm Quality
Smoking can reduce sperm quality, from concentration, movement, shape, to sperm-forming material (DNA). This is associated with exposure to various chemicals in cigarettes, such as lead, cadmium, and nicotine, in the male reproductive system.
The study found that the sperm concentration of men who smoked dropped by 23%, sperm moved 13% slower, and the number of abnormal sperm was higher. This decrease in quality makes it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg.
Sperm DNA damage due to smoking is also considered to increase the risk of miscarriage, impaired fetal development, and even birth defects.
This decrease in sperm quality was seen in moderate and heavy smokers who spent more than 10 cigarettes per day.
Does Smoking Cause Infertility?
Sperm quality and fertility are two different things, but they are related. Poor sperm quality does not mean you are infertile, but if there are only a small number of sperm, damaged, or even unable to move agilely, it will be more difficult to fertilize an egg.
The relationship between smoking and infertility is not clear, but smoking can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction by up to 2 times.
Smoking Can Affect Couples Fertility
In addition to causing effects on active smokers, partners of smokers can also experience negative effects from exposure to cigarette smoke.
According to research, the success rate of IVF program will decrease in women who are exposed to secondhand smoke. Women who have non-smoking partners have a 38% success rate while undergoing IVF, while women with smoking husbands only have 22% success.
Keep in mind, the bad effects of smoking are not only caused by conventional cigarettes, but also by electronic cigarettes or vaping.
Given the many negative effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke for sperm and the reproductive system, come on, start quitting smoking from now on. If you find it difficult, consult a doctor to find out the right way to quit smoking.
