Clearing the Smoke: How Cigarette Use Impacts Your IVF Success Rates
The journey to parenthood through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is paved with hope, science, and personal dedication. While many factors influencing fertility are outside our control, lifestyle choices remain a powerful lever for improving outcomes. One of the most significant, yet modifiable, factors is cigarette smoking.
The Science of Success Rates
Data reveals a clear correlation between smoking status and the success of IVF cycles. When evaluating pregnancy and delivery rates per cycle initiated, the impact of smoking by the female partner is substantial. Interestingly, while cigarette smoking does not appear to cause major changes in peak estradiol concentrations or the number of oocytes retrieved, it significantly hinders the final goal: a healthy delivery.
Breaking Down the Data According to clinical findings, smoking by the female partner substantially decreases the delivery rate per cycle initiated. While smoking by the male partner does not appear to decrease the initial pregnancy rate, the most favorable outcomes for both pregnancies and live births occur when neither partner smokes.
Key insights from the research include:
Delivery Rates: Female smoking is associated with a marked drop in live birth rates.
Dose-Dependency: The impact of smoking is often dose-dependent, with the most severe effects on delivery rates seen when the female partner smokes more than 20 cigarettes daily.
Male Factor: While male smoking did not show a decrease in pregnancy rates in this specific data set, the highest delivery percentages are still observed in non-smoking environments.
Taking Control of Your Journey
At Krishna IVF, we believe in empowering our patients with evidence-based information. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to advocate for your future child and your own health. If you are preparing for a cycle, consider this an invitation to start fresh. Your journey to parenthood is a team effort, and every healthy choice brings you one step closer to your goal.