Smoking causes many reproductive diseases in both men and women.

Smoking reduces fertility and causes sexual dysfunction in men. Photo: Internet source

Smoking reduces fertility and causes sexual dysfunction in men

Studies have shown that the major metabolites ofcigarette smoke(substances in cigarette smoke that are inhaled and metabolized in the body) are found in semen. Some substances are even concentrated there (cotinine, trans 3 hydroxycotinine).

The components ofcigaretteSubstances found in semen can inhibit the activity of the choline acetyltransferase enzyme system. This enzyme is necessary for sperm to function. Men who smoke compared with non-smokers have lower levels of testosterone (a hormone necessary for sperm production) and increased levels of follicle stimulating hormone (a feminizing hormone).

SmokeReduced sperm count: Depending on the amount of cigarettes smoked, smokers have a more or less reduced sperm count (this is more obvious in heavier smokers). Smoking causes inflammation of the reproductive system, making it difficult for sperm to penetrate the egg.

Smoking causes impotence:Smokers are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction, due to atherosclerosis in the penis, which reduces blood flow, which we call vascular erectile dysfunction. 82% - 97% of men with vascular erectile dysfunction smoke. In men who have smoked for a long time, the risk of vascular erectile dysfunction is higher, and in heavy smokers, the risk is even higher.

In addition to atherosclerotic impotence, smoking also leads to vasoconstrictive impotence (reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries), smoking just 2 cigarettes can cause acute penile artery spasm.

Smoking not only affects the reproductive and sexual functions in men but it also causes bladder cancer. It is not known whether smoking causes prostate cancer, but it is found that in people with prostate cancer who smoke, its invasion and metastasis increase.

The harmful effects of tobacco on female fertility

Women who smoke more have their fertility affected. Photo: Internet Source

Damage to the oocyte:Smoking can damage or even destroy oocytes (eggs) and thus reduce fertility.

Hormonal abnormalities:Smoking changes the levels of several hormones, including estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone. Therefore, ovulation may not occur normally in smokers.

Fallopian tube dysfunction:Several studies have found abnormalities in the function of the fallopian tubes in women who smoke. The increased hormone levels lead to changes in the normal movement of eggs through the fallopian tubes. In some cases, the changes in hormone levels may increase the rate at which the embryo enters the uterus. In one study, the risk of birth defects in smokers was found to be 2.2 to 4 times higher than in non-smokers.

Spontaneous miscarriage:In studies, smokers have been found to have a 1.5 to 3.2 times higher risk of spontaneous abortion than non-smokers. Women who smoke may have a reduced ability to sustain a pregnancy.

Early menopause:The primary reason for early menopause is that smoking reduces estrogen levels in women. Although all older women experience a gradual decline in estrogen levels after age 40, women who smoke tend to enter menopause 2 to 3 years earlier than non-smokers./.