Some men who smoke show impaired fertility. Smoking may impact semen quality in several ways and in a dose-dependent manny. A man who is infertile should reduce smoking and preferably stop altogether.
A male who smokes may show:
(1) a lower semen volume
(2) a lower sperm count (density)
(3) a lower percentage of mobile sperm
(4) a higher percentage of abnormal spermatozoa
Overall there is a moderate reduction in semen quality.
The impact may be dose dependent, and tends to be more pronounced when the man smokes more than 16 cigarettes per day. However, any smoking can have a negative impact.
A couple attempting in vitro fertilization (IVF) have a lower success rate for pregnancy within 12 weeks if the man smokes.
Limitations:
• There may be selection bias. Some men may be more sensitive to cigarette smoke than others. In addition, smoking may be associated with other risky behaviors like drinking and sexually-transmitted diseases.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
