Smoking increases infertility risk in women by 40%, WHO

A new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that women who smoke tobacco face a 40 per cent higher risk of infertility compared to those who do not smoke.

The report looked at evidence on smoking and fertility. It also found that smoking affects men's reproductive health. This includes problems like poor sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, and issues with ejaculation.

WHO warned that breathing in second-hand smoke can also harm fertility. This means that even people who do not smoke can still face risks to their reproductive health.

Infertility is when a person cannot get pregnant after trying for 12 months or more without protection during sex.

The WHO said that one in six people of reproductive age around the world will deal with infertility at some point in their lives.

Smoking and infertility

The report states that many years of research show a clear link between smoking and women’s reproductive health. It mentioned a review of studies done from 2000 to 2026. This review found that women who smoke had a 40 per cent higher chance of infertility compared to non-smokers.

It also noted that women who used to smoke but have quit have a 25 per cent lower risk of infertility than those who still smoke. WHO believes that stopping smoking can greatly improve reproductive health.

Men also affected

WHO emphasized that infertility is not just a women's issue. They cited a recent review of 44 studies with over 60,000 men. This review found that smoking is linked to reproductive problems in men.

The evidence shows that smoking can lead to issues with sperm and sexual dysfunction. This includes erectile dysfunction and problems with ejaculation. It also shows a link to low sperm count, slow-moving sperm, and abnormal sperm shape.

Smoking from a waterpipe, also known as hookah or shisha, can also be a risk for male fertility.

Fertility treatment

The WHO report further warned that smoking can hurt the chances of successful fertility treatments. It referenced earlier research from 21 studies that found smoking was linked to fewer pregnancies and live births after procedures like in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).

The findings suggest that smoking can cut the chances of success in fertility treatments by about half.

Second-hand smoke

People do not have to smoke themselves to face fertility risks, WHO cautioned. The report says that women who breathe in second-hand smoke may have a higher risk of infertility and lower chances of getting pregnant each month they try.

However, WHO noted that information on new tobacco products, like e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, is still coming in. They said the strongest evidence so far is about cigarette smoking, but other products might also harm fertility and need more study.

Quitting support

WHO called on health-care providers to talk about the risks of tobacco use with people planning to have a baby. They suggested that health-care providers should offer support based on evidence to help people quit smoking.

The organization also recommended that brief advice on quitting should be given to all tobacco users in health-care settings. WHO believes that addressing tobacco use is important for protecting reproductive health, especially since millions of people worldwide are affected by infertility.