Use of Marijuana May Damage Sperm Quality

Use of Marijuana May Damage Sperm Quality

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Typically, when a couple is trying to conceive, the main focus is on the health of the woman. They tend to spend quite a bit of time focusing on things that affect the quality of the eggs and their ability to release them regularly. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here

However, women are not the only ones who need to worry about their fertility. Men also have issues, and there are many things that could actually affect the health of the man’s sperm. For example, when men’s testes are exposed to too much heat, the quality of their sperm could diminish, causing male infertility. Now, a study is showing that exposure to marijuana affects male fertility, by damaging sperm quality.

The Study

The study regarding marijuana was conducted over three months and included 2,000 men and 14 fertility clinics based in England. During the study, the men were questioned extensively regarding their lifestyle and medical histories.

 

The men then presented sperm samples for researchers to examine. To examine the sperm, specific guidelines were used. They looked for a particular appearance as well as size when they are viewing the sperm. If the sperm did not meet these expectations, they were not considered normal sperm.

Sperm that are abnormally shaped or smaller in size than normal have a difficult time swimming to the egg. It is also harder for the egg to become fertilized when sperm are abnormal. Researchers were able to determine that it takes three months for sperm to be produced.

Other Studies

In addition to this particular study, others have been conducted regarding sperm and use of marijuana. One particular study looked at 20 men who used marijuana 14 times a week for longer than five years. Their sperm was examined to determine how it swam after the men used the marijuana.

How is Sperm Effected?

The main issue related to marijuana use is the fact that sperm will begin swimming faster. The sperm immediately begins swimming quickly, which means it will tire before it reaches the egg. At this point, the sperm will stop swimming altogether and will not reach the egg to fertilize it. I’ve also heard it causes sperm to swim a bit in lazy, lackadaisical circles. Whether that’s true or not, makes some sense, doesn’t it?

Another issue that marijuana causes is the number of sperm. Men who smoke marijuana will usually have a low volume of sperm which is also a leading reason for infertility.

Because of these studies, it is suggested for men to refrain from using marijuana while their partner is trying to conceive. Since it takes three months to produce sperm, you should stop smoking marijuana at least three months before you are ready to begin trying to conceive with your partner.

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Dr. Prabha Sahgal, MD
Dr. Prabha Sahgal, MD | ConceiveEasy
Dr. Prabha Sahgal MD, is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and subspecialty board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Sahgal holds a B.S. degree from MIT in molecular biology and currently serves on the ConceiveEasy board of directors.

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