Introduction– Fertility is commonly defined as the ability of a person to be able to conceive or have babies. For men- this means they need adequate sperm numbers, quality and motility. For women- it translates to having enough egg reserves, regular ovulation, implantation and so on. Smoking and drinking alcohol often can influence these processes in very subtle, but tangible ways. So, if you have been searching for a Male Fertility Clinic Near Me or Best Women Clinic Nearby, then walk into Feminova Clinic today to learn more and get better!  

Effects of Smoking and Alcohol on Fertility-

Smoking can impact men and women in very different ways. 

For men, smoking regularly can mean- 

• DNA fragmentation– the genetic material in the sperm is not of good quality, which can increase your risk of suffering from a miscarriage or having a baby with genetic abnormalities. 
• Poor sperm quality– Both number and motility get affected. Sperm cannot move around and cannot fertilise eggs normally. 
• Nicotine can lead to erectile dysfunction, as these compounds can hamper normal blood flow to different parts of the body. 

For women, smoking can heavily influence egg quality-

• DNA damage- Eggs carry maternal DNA in them and when you smoke often, this genetic material can get damaged, meaning you could have a miscarriage or a baby with genetic conditions. 
• Smoking can impact hormone levels and lead to early menopause. 
• Smoking does not help with implantation either- making it that much harder for you to conceive, as the uterine lining can get damaged. 

Let us look at what alcohol consumption can do to male fertility- 

• Excessive drinking can lead to poor sperm quality and count, as testosterone levels drop. 
• Sperm cells have poor motility and don’t move towards the egg. 
• Sperm may have abnormal morphology too- which can again hamper conception. 

Drinking lots of alcohol can cause-

• Poor egg quality- Due to hormonal imbalance, you may have to deal with irregular ovulation and poor quality eggs. 
• Lower fertilisation rates- Your chances of conceiving even with IVF dramatically reduce, due to low egg quality. 
• Eggs from women who drink a lot don’t survive the freezing and thawing process as well, impacting survival rates overall.  

Talking to experienced fertility specialists at the best IVF Clinic In Hyderabad can really help you stop overthinking and instead get you to start planning pragmatically for the future!

Is It Too Late to Stop Drinking and Smoking?

This is a very valid concern for many individuals and the answer is- it is never too late! If you have been trying to conceive, it makes sense to stop smoking and drinking at least 3-6 months before, to improve your chances overall. 

What Happens When You Stop?

When men don’t drink or smoke, their sperm numbers and quality definitely begin to improve. Taking multivitamins and eating nutritious food can greatly help cells heal better and improve general hormonal health too, in the long term. 

For women, egg quality could improve since eggs begin to mature in a more healthier environment. But, women already have a finite supply of eggs, many are lost to damage. Studies have shown that quitting smoking and drinking for at least a year or longer can lead to improved fertility parameters in women- as there is lesser oxidative stress that can damage egg DNA. 

Hormonal balance is restored- which can improve IVF or related outcomes too. It is best to stop smoking and drinking at least 3-4 months before going in for IVF or other processes as eggs take around 90 days to mature and be released. 

Conclusion–

Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking – so try to stay in a smoke and pollutant free zone. You should talk to the Best IVF Doctor In Hyderabad at Feminova Clinics, if you have been trying to conceive but have not been successful. In the meantime, please eat balanced meals, get enough exercise, sleep regularly and learn to manage stress better- as these factors can impact your health and not just fertility. 

Can’t find an answer? Book a clinic visit or Call us  at +91 9966888702 or +91 8125860069