What effect could tobacco have on my partner’s or my chance to become pregnant?

Tobacco and vaping product use can affect the ability to become pregnant as well as other parts of a person’s reproductive and sexual health.

People who smoke tobacco may have more trouble becoming pregnant compared to those who don’t smoke.

Those that smoke tobacco have a higher risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy (the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus). Ectopic pregnancies always mean that the pregnancy will end. It can be life-threatening if the growing embryo bursts the fallopian tube.

Smoking may also increase the risk of some types of tumors in the ovaries and almost doubles the risk of cervical cancer.  Both partners affect the success of getting pregnant. Smoking can cause erectile dysfunction (getting or keeping an erection).

This is because smoking causes blood vessels to be unable to open enough to allow the blood to enter the penis in a large enough quantity for an erection. Smoking is also linked to cancer of the testicles which could lead to infertility and/or low sperm count.

Sperm quality can be affected by tobacco, nicotine, as well as alcohol and other drugs or medicines. Sperm cells take about three months to form. As a result, there’s a big window of opportunity for the chemicals in the smoke to affect the sperm cells.

Smoking may damage sperm, making it harder for sperm to reach and enter the egg.

Vaping is not harm-free. More research is needed to understand the effects of vaping on sperm quality and fertility.

When thinking about having a baby, it’s a good time to think about reducing risks, and better yet, stopping the use of tobacco and vaping products if you can. Consider changing now and keeping it going beyond your baby’s arrival. Your family will benefit too.

Whether you are able to quit or not, keep smoking and vaping outside your home and car. It will be better for you and your family’s health.

For more information about Sexual health and fertility or erectile dysfunction (impotence) related to tobacco use, see the Government of Canada site.