Should women and men be made to give up smoking before being offered IVF?

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

In the past 5 years, over 700,000 IVF cycles have been performed in the USA. The ultimate goal for infertile couples and reproductive endocrinologists is to deliver healthy babies. A body of literature has incriminated tobacco smoke as a risk factor for lower success rates. There are a total of 30 published studies on women and eight for men that have found a significant association between smoking and IVF end points. There are no studies specifically addressing when to stop smoking before pursuing IVF, for how long, the quantity of cigarettes that affect IVF cycles, the effects of passive tobacco smoke, and how long after quitting smoking do fertility levels resume to nonsmoker levels. Currently, there are no formal guidelines in the USA regarding smoking cessation prior to attempting IVF. It would be premature to require women and men to give up smoking before being offered IVF at this time until more research is concluded and professional guidelines are established.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31-38
Number of pages8
JournalExpert Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Assisted reproductive technology
  • Couples
  • End point
  • Environmental tobacco smoke
  • Female
  • IVF
  • Male
  • Tobacco smoke

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Maternity and Midwifery

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