Fertility and Vaping: The Impact E-Cigarettes Have on Men and Women

E-cigarettes were invented in 2003 and for the longest time, vaping was heralded as a safer and much more enjoyable alternative to smoking. Vaping has also gained a reputation for helping wean smokers off of traditional cigarettes. However recent studies have shown that vaping can have a significantly adverse impact on female and male reproductive health, particularly for couples who are trying to conceive.

Keep reading to learn about the effects of vaping on female and male fertility and resources for infertility counselling.

How Vaping Affects the Female and Male Reproductive System

Vaping is often thought of as the healthier choice for long-time smokers who want to quit their bad habit. The problem is that vaping cartridges still contain nicotine and other common toxins that are found in cigarettes, so you’re not really getting rid of the bad habit, you’re just transferring it over to something else.

Recent studies have shown that vaping can have just as bad an effect on female and male reproductive health as smoking. Here are some of the reproductive issues that can arise as a direct result of vaping.

Delayed Fertilization in Women

Women who vape are likely to experience reduced fertility function. This can result in delayed egg production and fertilization. The toxic chemicals in vape liquids can be just as harmful as those found in cigarettes. Additionally, vaping while pregnant can also cause adverse effects on fetal development and result in stunted growth in infants and children.

Female lab rats that were exposed to vape smoke showed lower fertility rates than those who weren’t exposed to vape smoke, which proves that there seems to be some correlation between vaping and female infertility.

Also Read: Foods to Increase Sperm Count and Motility

Embryo Implantation Problems

E-cigarettes contain chemical compounds called propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to drastic female infertility and reproductive issues. Research indicates that even if the egg is fertilized and ready for implantation, the introduction and continued presence of these toxins in the system can drastically prevent implantation within the uterus. To top it all off, women who vape during pregnancy are most likely causing physical harm to the fetus developing in their uterus.

Lower Sperm Quality in Males

Vaping has also been known to reduce sperm quality, count, and motility in males. The lack of quality sperm production makes egg fertilization nearly impossible for couples hoping to conceive. And it doesn’t end there. Male infants who were exposed to vapours and harmful toxins from e-cigarettes in utero are more likely to develop reproductive health issues in adulthood.

Moreover, female infants who were exposed to these same toxins could develop physical handicaps such as stunted growth and other developmental issues.

Visit Our Fertility Clinic in Ontario

The research on vaping in relation to female and male fertility is still ongoing, but the current findings paint a pretty clear picture. Although doctors recommend vaping as a means of helping their patients to quit smoking, it can still hinder reproductive functions for those hoping to get pregnant. For more information on the impacts of vaping and female and male fertility, please feel free to book an appointment at ONE Fertility Kitchener Waterloo.