Second-hand smoke tied to fertility problems: Study

Studies have found that women who smoke raise their risk of a number of pregnancy complications, as well as their infants8217; risk of health problems. Less is known about the dangers of second-hand smoke, though some studies have linked exposure during pregnancy to an elevated risk of miscarriage.

In the new study, of more than 4,800 women, researchers found those who8217;d grown up with a parent who smoked were more likely to report they8217;d had difficulty becoming pregnant 8212; defined as having to try for more than 1 year.

In addition, women who8217;d been exposed to second-hand smoke in both childhood and adulthood were 39 per cent more likely to have suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth, and 68 per cent more likely to have had problems getting pregnant.

8220;These statistics are breathtaking and certainly point to yet another danger of second-hand smoke exposure,8221; said lead researcher Luke J. Peppone at the University of Rochester, New York.

8220;We all know that cigarettes and second hand smoke are dangerous,8221; he added. 8220;Breathing the smoke has lasting effects, especially for women when they8217;re ready for children.8221;

Peppone and his colleagues at the University of Rochester in New York report their findings in the December 5 online issue of the journal 8216;Tobacco Control8217;.

For the study, the researchers analyzed surveys from 4,804 women who8217;d visited the university8217;s Roswell Park Cancer Institute between 1982 and 1998 for health screening or cancer treatment. All had been pregnant at least once in their lives.

Overall, Peppone8217;s team found 11 per cent of the women had difficulty becoming pregnant, while one third had a miscarriage or stillbirth.

The risk of these problems tended to climb in tandem with the number of hours per day that a woman was exposed to second-hand smoke 8212; a pattern that suggests a cause-effect relationship.

Second-hand smoke contains a host of toxic compounds that could potentially harm a woman8217;s reproductive health, Peppone and his colleagues note. Tobacco toxins may damage cells8217; genetic material, interfere with conception, raise the risk of miscarriage, or inhibit the hormones needed for conception and a successful pregnancy.