A Narrative Review on the Impact of Smoking on Female Fertility

Cureus. 2024 Apr 16;16(4):e58389. doi: 10.7759/cureus.58389. eCollection 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Understanding the significant impact of preventable factors, such as lifestyle decisions and bad habits like smoking, on female fertility has received a lot of attention. Pervasive smoking among fertile women is a serious public health concern. Smoking has well-documented negative impacts on general health, but it also has significant consequences on fertility. Many women of reproductive age still smoke, despite a wealth of data elucidating the effects of pregnancy and the health of the fetus as a result of prenatal exposure. This review attempts to investigate the consequences of smoking on female fertility, specifically focusing on how it affects the ovaries, oviducts, and uterus through a thorough examination of numerous studies. Important topics such as ovarian reserve, steroidogenesis, ovulation, controlling the menstrual cycle, oviductal function, uterine receptivity, and implantation will receive extra focus.

Keywords: cigarette smoking; female fertility; female infertility; implantation; ovary; reproductive function; smoking.

Publication types

  • Review