Cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug in the United States. With the legalization of cannabis in many states, its use has become more commonplace in recent years. While the data on the impact of cannabis use on fertility is limited, some studies have shown a negative impact on sperm count, motility, and ability to fertilize an egg in men that are chronic cannabis users.

In women that are cannabis users, there are reports of menstrual cycle irregularities, fewer eggs obtained during IVF egg retrieval, and increased risk of premature birth has been observed. In a recent study published in JAMA Network open, they found that the risk of adverse outcomes in babies was significantly higher in women who had marijuana use during pregnancy as opposed to those that did not. There are also concerns regarding neurodevelopment effects on the fetus. This study is a meta-analysis compiling data from 16 other studies, to include a total of 59,138 patients. It shows clear evidence of adverse impact on the neonate with maternal marijuana use. The study was unable to determine a dose-response association.

Given the many unknowns and possible adverse outcomes of cannabis use both pre-conceptually and during pregnancy, it is advisable for couples desiring conception to avoid all cannabis use in order to optimize their fertility and safeguard the health of the fetus.

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Sources:

Evaluation of the impact of marijuana use on semen quality: a prospective analysis from the university of washington

Fertility and SterilityVol. 110Issue 4Supplemente166Published in issue: September, 2018

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JAMA Network open (2022 Jan 27, doi:10.1001/ jamanetworkopen.2021.45653

Drug abuse and reproduction

Fertility and SterilityVol. 48Issue 3p355–373Published in issue: September, 1987

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Prepregnancy counseling: Committee Opinion No. 762

Fertility and SterilityVol. 111Issue 1p32–42Published in issue: January, 2019

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
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Cannabinoids inhibit the respiration of human sperm

Fertility and SterilityVol. 91Issue 6p2471–2476Published online: June 18, 2008

  • Zaki S. Badawy
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Dr. Rinku Mehta
Dr. Rinku Mehta
Dr. Mehta is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. After graduating at the top 10% of her class from the University of Texas Medical School, she went on to complete her Ob/Gyn residency there as well and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at UC San Diego. She has been in private practice helping build families since 2006. Providing compassionate, personalized, patient centered care is very important to Dr. Mehta. She has been consistently voted by her peers as one of the best doctors in Collin County and Dallas for several years in a row. Her areas of expertise include infertility, in vitro fertilization, fertility preservation, oocyte cryopreservation, hysteroscopic surgery and PCOS. She is also passionate about nutrition, lifestyle and a holistic approach to fertility.