- 2601 Lake Dr, Ste 301, Raleigh, NC, United States, North Carolina
- info@carolinaconceptions.com
- (919) 782-5911
While trying to conceive and during pregnancy, any amount of alcohol and smoking is unsafe. The negative effects of substance use are well documented.
Alcohol use negatively affects your health in various ways. It may lead to dehydration, slow body functions, liver damage and seven different types of cancer. Alcohol also interferes with the absorption of important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The dangers of alcohol are well documented for infertility. Alcohol often leads to problems for men and women that make it difficult to achieve a healthy pregnancy.
In women, alcohol consumption increases infertility problems. You may experience ovulatory disorders, a decreased pregnancy rate, and an increased risk of miscarriage. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. For these reasons, we urge you to abstain from alcohol during a treatment cycle.
If you are not currently undergoing treatment, you may have one drink a day during the first half of your cycle prior to ovulation. Do not drink during the second half of your cycle, since this is the window of conception and early pregnancy.
In men, alcohol intake is linked with health and fertility issues. Alcohol will likely deteriorate your semen quality, with negative effects on sperm morphology and motility. Heavy alcohol use over time also causes testicular atrophy, decreased libido and low sperm count. For male health and fertility, we recommend no more than two alcoholic drinks per day.
Nicotine and cannabis use is known to damage your health and body functions. Smoking and vaping commonly cause diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. It affects nearly every organ by increasing inflammation and lowering immune function.
Smoking is particularly harmful for reproductive health and fertility treatments. Smoking by either partner is unsafe for fertility and pregnancy, and secondhand smoke introduces many of the same health risks.
The reduction in natural fertility from smoking may not be overcome by fertility treatment. When either the male or female partner smokes, in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates are cut in half. When either partner smokes, the woman requires higher doses of gonadotropins, produces fewer mature eggs, has more canceled cycles, and experiences lower implantation rates.
Couples who want to become pregnant must prioritize quitting smoking. The health benefits of smoking cessation include improved chances for conception and healthy pregnancy. Long-term smoking can permanently damage ovarian function, but smoking cessation before fertility treatment may improve outcomes.
Women who smoke are more likely to experience infertility and pregnancy complications. Common risks include diminished ovarian reserve, early menopause, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.
Nicotine exposure during early pregnancy, a crucial time of fetal development, will adversely affect health and brain development. Smoking from either partner can lead to low birth weight, preterm delivery and stillbirth. The chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) also increases in a household where someone smokes.
Cannabis products negatively impact female reproductive organs. Cannabinoids negatively affect placental and fetal development and may cause stillbirth. Furthermore, recreational and illegal drug use in any form can have detrimental effects when trying to conceive.
To promote health and fertility, men should avoid nicotine exposure. Men who smoke may experience a decrease in sperm count, concentration, volume, motility, morphology and fertilizing capacity. Smoking also damages sperm DNA and lowers testosterone, thereby increasing the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Men who use cannabis products are at an increased risk of infertility. Cannabinoids decrease testosterone, sperm production and sperm motility. Recreational and illegal drug use in any form may deteriorate male fertility.
