The ABC’s of IVF
Dr. Walid Saleh, MD
Medical Director (SIRM)
Sher Fertility Clinic -
Dallas
Smoking and Infertility: Know the facts
While the reproductive risks of smoking are well documented, there is little public awareness about them. This small summary will review the reproductive hazards associated with cigarette smoking for both men and women:
Female Risks
- Adverse impact of tar on egg quality and DNA results in delayed conception delay, infertility, increased risk of miscarriages and tubal pregnancies. IVF pregnancy rates are 50% lower in smokers vs. non-smokers of the same age.
- Menopause occurs 3-4 years earlier in smokers due to egg depletion.
- Boys born from smoking mothers have a lower sperm count vs. non-smokers.
- The risks of second hand smoking is significant.
Male Risks
- All sperm parameters are affected: concentrations, motility and morphology.
- May affect sperm DNA fragmentation and cause an embryo to stall past day 3.
- Reproductive risk in the male is less conclusive than the risk in the female.
Smoking Cessation
- Nicotine replacement and non-nicotine medications like Chantix® are definitely helpful to avoid tar exposure. We recommend cessation 6-8 weeks prior to IVF. The use of a potent anti-oxidant like pycnogenol may be also hepful by improving DNA and chromosomal stability.
- IVF is not able to overcome the toxic effect of smoking on egg DNA.
Knowledge of the link between cigarette smoking and infertility increases the likelihood of stopping smoking successfully. The accumulated evidence supports the value of smoking cessation in both men and women interested in conception.
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Walid Saleh, MD
Jun 06, 2012 04:17 am
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Ask Our Doctors
My husband and I have been trying to conceive for the past 9 to 10 years but with no luck. I have been for and IVF cycle in February this year but this was unsuccessful as all 6 embryos died on day 5. I was told that embryo transfer was to be done on day 6. However, we did not have the chance of having that done as all 6 embryo’ died. My Dr was not sure what the cause of that was, and he has suggested that possibly because I am 36 years old, poor egg quality could have been the cause. However, the embryo’s were all grade 1 up until day 5.
I have just been diagnosed about 3 days ago with having an endometrioma in my left ovary by another Dr. He has advised that I have it removed surgically by doing a laporoscopy as well. Once that has been done, he suggested an do Artificial insemination. I am not so sure about that and I dont think it will work. I am now what I consider a veteran in the world of infertility, therefore I dont think something like artificial insemination will work for me at this stage. However, having another IVF cycle is very expensive and I dont know if it will be possible. What would you suggest we do?
Please, please help.I am just so tired of it all and I am going deeper and deeper into depression.
I suggest you have your records reviewed in detail. There must be an explanation for the failure. I would be happy to help.