We’ve all read the warnings and seen the cautionary photos, ads, and commercials—smoking is dangerous.

That said, plenty of people still smoke, despite the known risks. In a survey of 94,000 Glow users who are actively trying to conceive, 16% said they smoked. What's more, the data shows that about 30% of women of reproductive age in the US are regular smokers.  

It’s important for women of child-bearing age to know that smoking is definitely a risk if you’re trying to get pregnant, or are currently carrying a baby. Despite the fact that our mothers and grandmothers might have smoked during their childbearing years, the data is clear that lighting up is really a problem if you’re hoping to conceive.

The bad news

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility rates in both men and women who smoke are about twice that of nonsmokers. The chemicals in cigarettes can hurt your eggs and ovarian function, and also cause earlier menopause. The fertility outcomes are affected by the amount that a person smokes—the more cigarettes per day, the more likely you'll have issues and spend a longer time trying to get pregnant. Miscarriages are also more likely if you smoke, because the genetic material inside of your body has been affected by the cigarettes over time.

Secondhand smoke can also affect your chances of conception. And if your male partner smokes, you'll have a harder time getting pregnant, too: Tobacco use has been shown to hurt sperm count and motility.

Quit now

Quitting smoking has a positive effect on your fertility, although you can’t repair the damage that has already been done to your eggs. Fertility typically recovers considerably after about one year of sobriety.

That said, quitting smoking isn’t easy, no matter how desperately you may want a baby.  Addiction is real; it affects your body and your brain. If you know that you want a baby soon or in the near future, one of the best things you can do to increase your chances of conceiving is quit smoking.

Ask your healthcare provider about options to help you, like the nicotine patch or pill, behavioral therapy, and more. There are many in the Glow Community who have been through this before—turn to them for support as you take on this challenge. You can also use Glow Pages to search for a fertility specialist in your area who can help you quit and set you on a path to improved fertility. You can do it!!