The Effects of smoking on male and femalereproductive health: a systematic review

Introduction:Tobacco use has a major impact on reproductive health,affecting both men and women. Research shows that it canimpair fertility, increase the risk of miscarriage andcongenital malformations, and affect menstrual regularity inwomen. In men, it can decrease sperm count, reduce spermmotility, and alter sperm morphology. Tobacco smokecontains over ۷,۰۰۰ chemicals, many of which are known tocause cancer, increasing the risk of reproductive cancers.Additionally, tobacco use during pregnancy is associated withlow birth weight and premature birth. It is important to raiseawareness and implement effective strategies to reducetobacco use and protect reproductive well-being.AimThis systematic review aims to analyze existing literature tounderstand the complex relationship between tobacco andfertility, exploring the evidence and potential mechanismsinvolved.Methods:Following the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematicreviews and meta-analyses, a comprehensive search wasconducted using electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Webof Science, Google Scholar) with relevant keywords relatedto tobacco, smoking, fertility, and reproductive health.Studies meeting the inclusion criteria (human studies, originalresearch, focusing on the effect of tobacco on fertility) wereselected, and data were extracted.Results:Impact on Male Fertility:Smoking has a negative impact on male fertility. It leads tooxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruption in hormoneproduction, resulting in decreased sperm count, motility, andmorphology. Tobacco exposure is also associated withdecreased testosterone levels and increased levels of folliclestimulatinghormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) inmen, indicating disruption of the hormonal axis governingtestosterone production. Additionally, tobacco use potentiallycauses erectile dysfunction due to vasoconstriction, reducedblood flow to the penis, and damage to erectile tissue.Impact on Female Fertility:Smoking affects female fertility in various ways. It isassociated with irregular ovulation, decreased ovarianreserve, and premature ovarian failure. Smoking is alsolinked to a higher prevalence of endometriosis and anincreased risk of ectopic pregnancy due to potential damageto the fallopian tubes. Furthermore, smokers are more likelyto experience pregnancy complications such as preterm birth,low birth weight, and stillbirth, which can negatively impactfetal development.Conclusion:This systematic review provides compelling evidence thattobacco use significantly affects male and female fertility.The mechanisms underlying these harmful effects includeoxidative stress, inflammation, hormonal disturbances, andgenetic damage. Quitting smoking is crucial in addressingfertility issues caused by smoking. Further research is neededto understand the specific molecular pathways involved insmoking-induced fertility impairment, leading to moretargeted therapies and potentially personalized interventions.Smoking Cessation: Smoking cessation is the most effective intervention to reduce the negative impact of smoking on fertility. Comprehensive quit programs, including behavioral therapy and drug therapy, play a vital role.Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):For couples facing infertility due to smoking, options such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be considered.Public Health Initiatives:Implementing stricter smoke-free policies, increasing awareness of the fertility risks of smoking, and improving access to smoking cessation resources are essential steps in preventing smoking-related infertility.

کلیدواژه ها:

tobacco ، smoking ، fertility ، reproductive health