Smoking cigarettes can negatively affect fertility in both men and women, and can also harm a baby’s health:
-
Women
Smoking can make it harder for women to get pregnant, and increase the risk of never becoming pregnant. Smoking can also increase the risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Smoking can also shorten the menstrual cycle and make ovulation less predictable.
-
Men
Smoking can damage sperm, and can lead to erectile dysfunction. Smoking can also increase the risk of pregnancy loss.
-
Babies
Smoking during pregnancy can cause pregnancy complications, such as preterm labor and delivery. It can also cause negative health outcomes for the unborn baby, including low birth weight and lungs that fail to develop properly.
-
Secondhand smoke
Exposure to secondhand smoke can also harm a woman’s fertility.