The impact of cannabis on reproductive health is an important issue for many women. Cannabis use is increasing worldwide and it has been associated with adverse effects on reproductive health, pregnancy, and fetal outcomes.
Pregnant and lactating women should abstain from using marijuana to protect their babies’ health and developmental outcomes. However, there is a lack of high-quality research on this topic and the available data on the impact of cannabis on female reproductive health is limited.
Effects on Male Fertility
Cannabis is a popular recreational and medicinal drug that can have a wide range of effects on your health. Some of these include reducing pain, alleviating nausea, and aiding weight loss. It’s also been linked to a reduction in tremors, cognitive improvement, and stress management.
However, it’s unclear whether the effects of cannabis are influenced by the dose, form, or frequency of use. For instance, a 2015 study of 1,215 Danish men found that those who reported smoking cannabis more than once per week had a 28% lower sperm concentration and a 29% lower sperm count compared to those who never smoked marijuana.
Other studies suggest that cannabis negatively affects semen parameters, including sperm concentration and count, volume, morphology, and motility. Some of these effects are attributed to THC and CBD, which act on the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce psychoactive effects.
These results may be due to the fact that THC and CBD inhibit testosterone production. Testosterone is a hormone involved in fertility and reproductive function.
But researchers say the effect of cannabis on sperm quality is still unknown. And even when it’s known, a lot of the research has been conducted in animal models or in vitro, which can make it difficult to know exactly how cannabis affects male reproductive health.
For this reason, a systematic review was done to evaluate the existing literature on the effect of cannabis on fertility. The study used a search strategy that included clinical, animal/in vitro, and case-referent studies. It found seven clinical studies, 23 animal/in vitro studies, and 25 case-referent studies on the impact of marijuana on male factor fertility.
Effects on Female Fertility
The impact of cannabis on reproductive health is still in its early stages, but there’s growing evidence that it can disrupt the female reproductive system. It can cause problems with ovulation, endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation.
It can also reduce sperm motility and affect the timing of when an embryo implants in your womb (uterus). This can make it harder to conceive.
A recent study analyzed the effects of cannabis on fertility and pregnancy outcomes in women trying to get pregnant using assisted reproductive technologies (ART). They found that frequent marijuana use was associated with lower oocyte yield and fertilization rate, but did not result in an increased time to conceive or live birth rates.
One study examined how cannabis affects luteinizing hormone (LH), which stimulates ovulation in women, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which activates the production of oocytes. They found that both LH and FSH levels were higher in cannabis users, which could negatively influence ovulation.
Another study found that cannabis use could interfere with ovulation by blocking GnRH, a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle. These studies were based on self-reported marijuana use, not more accurate laboratory measurements, so their results might be less relevant.
The best way to determine how cannabis affects fertility is by working with your doctor. He or she can test your ovulation cycle and sperm count, and help you choose the best fertility treatment options. They can also check your ovaries for damage, or look for problems with the tubes that carry sperm. If you have fertility issues, they can refer you to a specialist who can provide treatments.
Effects on Testicular Function
Cannabis is a plant-based medicine that can be used in various ways to treat many health problems, including infertility. It contains a variety of compounds that have been found to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes, as well as to ease anxiety and pain.
Cannabis has been linked to a number of issues related to fertility, including lower sperm count and quality, abnormal sperm morphology, and reduced sperm motility (the ability of a sperm to swim). In addition to these negative effects, marijuana can disrupt the hormone levels that regulate the menstrual cycle.
THC, the most common cannabinoid in marijuana, binds to receptors in the brain that are responsible for maintaining hormonal balance. Researchers have also found that THC inhibits the release of gonadotropins, which are hormones that affect the menstrual cycle. These include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
In terms of sperm quality, research has found that long-term marijuana use can cause a decrease in sperm concentration, a reduction in their normal sperm morphology, and reduced motility. This may be due to the effect of THC on the endocannabinoid system in the testes and uterus.
Interestingly, researchers found that long-term marijuana use in men was also associated with a decrease in testosterone levels. Testosterone is a hormone that stimulates the male reproductive system to produce more sperm.
This finding is particularly interesting, as THC can be toxic to the testes if used regularly. In fact, some studies have shown that even one gram of THC can suppress the production of LH, which is one of the hormones that is responsible for stimulating ovulation and fertilization. This means that a lot of men who use marijuana may be missing out on their chance at conceiving.
Effects on Sperm
One of the most pressing questions surrounding cannabis is how it will impact reproductive health. Currently, there is limited research regarding this, but it appears that cannabis use may negatively affect certain sperm parameters.
Generally speaking, regular cannabis use could decrease sperm count, concentration and motility. It has also been linked to a reduction in sperm morphology (the size, shape and structure of sperm), which is a factor in sperm quality and the ability of sperm to fertilize an egg.
In a study from 2014, researchers found that men under 30 who were using marijuana for three months prior to the collection of a sperm sample were more likely to have abnormal sperm morphology (defined as less than 4% normal sperm). These findings indicate that even a small amount of cannabis can impact sperm morphology, which in turn can affect your fertility.
Another important factor in sperm quality is their genetic makeup. Several studies have shown that men who smoke cannabis are more likely to have genetic changes to a specific gene called DLGAP2.
These changes can negatively impact your chances of conceiving, so it is recommended that you avoid smoking weed if you are trying to get pregnant. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada recommends that you seek medical advice before attempting to get pregnant or breastfeeding if you are using marijuana.
When smoked, marijuana contains the same respiratory disease-causing and carcinogenic toxins as tobacco smoke, which can negatively impact fetal development. That’s why OB-GYN Dr Eva Luo, Modern Fertility’s medical advisor, suggests that women who smoke marijuana should consider quitting before pregnancy. She also advises avoiding smoking marijuana when nursing, as the fetus is particularly sensitive to the effects of cannabis and may suffer serious complications.
Effects on Eggs
Cannabis use can negatively impact reproductive health in both women and men. It can cause ovulation to become irregular or it can interfere with the development of an embryo inside the uterus.
In addition, marijuana use can cause sperm to have abnormal morphology (or shape), which can prevent them from swimming to the egg in order to fertilize it. It can also lead to reduced sperm motility, which is the ability of sperm to move from one place to another.
For example, a study found that sperm exposed to marijuana are less likely to swim to the egg than sperm that are not. This could have a significant impact on fertility as well, since the sperm aren’t able to reach the egg in time to become fertilized and pass it along to the ovulating female.
The results of the study are mixed, but it’s a good reminder that marijuana use can affect your chances of becoming pregnant and should be avoided at all costs. As more people are able to access recreational cannabis, it’s important that couples and their doctors be aware of the potential risks of using this drug.
A 2017 study looked at a group of women who were trying to conceive after losing their first pregnancy and found that marijuana users were around 40% less likely to conceive each month than those who weren’t using it. The researchers noted that this was a small study and that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of cannabis on fertility.
