Smoke electronic cigarettes or tobacco may decrease fertility in women, according to new research. The study indicated that women who smoke so-called “vapes” (or even rolled tobacco) have lower levels of the hormone AMH (anti-Müllerian).
In general, the hormone is involved in the process of regulation and development of ovarian follicles. In this way, it is related to the ability to reproduction of a woman.
This is the first research with a large sample to demonstrate a link between fertility prospects and e-cigarettes. In Brazil, Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) prohibits the import, advertising and trade of electronic cigarettes.
Understand the research
For this study, data from a report by the women’s health company was used Hertility, which gathered information from 325 thousand women — the majority between 20 and 30 years old. The researchers conducted the research in the United Kingdom. To do this, they analyzed anonymized data.
In total, almost 25% of women who were trying to get pregnant said they smoked e-cigarettes or tobacco during the trying period. Then, researcher Helen O’Neill analyzed blood samples from more than eight thousand women. She is Professor in Reproductive and Molecular Genetics at University College London and Executive Director of Hertility.
All of them were trying to get pregnant, but continued to smoke vape and tobacco. Thus, the study found that AMH levels were lower in people who smoked e-cigarettes across all age groups.
According to the report, women who smoke “vape” and are between 36 and 40 years old have a fifth less AMH than those who do not have the same habit.
“This shows that AMH is suppressed in people who use e-cigarettes compared to those who don’t.”vape‘, similar to what has already been shown in smokers,” O’Neill told The Telegraph.
Therefore, the researcher argues that women should abandon the habit to avoid frustrating their chances of getting pregnant. She suggests that these people receive clear guidance about the evidence of the risk of using “vape“.
