Does Smoking Marijuana Affect Fertility?

Did you know that Marijuana use could trigger infertility? Yeah, that seemingly innocuous joint isn’t so innocent after all, or is it? Well, hold on to that question, because that’s what we will answer here. Scroll down and find out how does marijuana affect fertility, the reproductive organs and trigger sterility.

What Is Marijuana?

Marijuana is a herb that is derived from the dried leaves of the Hemp plant, medically known as Cannabis sativa. Pop culture references have given rise to a number of names of Marijuana, which include:

• Mary Jane

• Chronic

• Weed

• Pot (1)

[ Read: Can Caffeine Affect Fertility ]

Possible Side Effects Of Taking Marijuana

Marijuana can lead to many negative effects for the body and the mind. The symptoms typically differ from person to person, but some general symptoms include:

1. Depression:

Women who smoke or consume it regularly are at a higher risk of developing depression. Such ladies become prone to anxiety and the feeling of hopelessness. In extreme cases, a milder form of depression can escalate to a manic or acute form. Depression and anxiety can kill libido, and disrupt the menstrual cycle. In some cases, it can lead to delayed or no ovulation. Thus, it becomes difficult for the female to get pregnant. So, if you are planning to conceive, then you need to kick that habit, for now at least.

2. Possible Drop In I.Q.:

Some medical experts believe that marijuana addicts have lower or declined I.Q. levels than healthy counterparts. According to these medical experts, a regular intake of marijuana can affect your I.Q. negatively, and the decline continues even if you stop taking marijuana. Of course, all these studies are quite inconclusive, and science does not back these claims!

[ Read: Does Diabetes Affect Fertility ]

3. Psychotic Symptoms:

Marijuana is a hallucinogen, and it can trigger Neuro-psychotic symptoms viz. Maniac-depression, hallucinations, etc.

Does Marijuana Affect Fertility?

Now that we know that marijuana has many possible side effects, and it can also increase the risk of sterility. The effects of Marijuana on fertility both in females as well as males.

• In females, it hinders the menstrual cycle.

• In males, it causes severe sperm abnormalities. Also, it reduces the sperm count as well as sperm mobility thereby decreasing the chances of pregnancy. It also decreases the Testosterone hormone levels in the male body.

[ Read: Effects Of Smoking On Fertility ]

Overcoming A Marijuana Addiction

If you are planning to get pregnant, then it is high time you give up smoking marijuana. You can take help from your doctor, or enlist with support groups. Here are some ways to recover from Marijuana addiction.

1. Psychotherapy:

The treatment involves techniques to exercise self-control and restraint from taking marijuana.

2. Reward Technique:

In this technique, the patient should be given the reward for not succumbing to his desires.

3. Motivational Therapy:

Motivational therapy is less of a treatment and more counseling sessions to help the addict recover.

4. Lifestyle changes:

When you will first visit your doctor, he will ask you about your lifestyle, and if you live on drugs then he will ask you to make serious changes in your lifestyle.

Women who stop any substance abuse viz. Drug abuse, alcoholism, smoking cigarettes, etc (2).

[ Read: Unexplained Infertility ]

Withdrawal Symptoms Of Marijuana

Marijuana does not lead to any physical withdrawal symptoms. However, some medical experts conclude that it induces withdrawal symptoms like:

• Sleeplessness

• Anxiety

• Loss of Appetite

• Irritability

• Marijuana cravings

Did you face marijuana effects on fertility? How did you recover? Did you need medical intervention or were you able to recover by going cold turkey? How long did it take to recover? Was recovery difficult? Share your story here. Drop a comment below. Fellow moms would love to hear your story.

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