Is Smoking Making Me Infertile?

October 30, 2020

When you and your partner make the decision to have a baby, it should be one of the most exciting decisions of your life!  When you start the process, it’s normal if your partner doesn’t get pregnant the first time that you try.  What happens, though, when it takes way longer than you expected?  There could be many causes for this; one of them being male infertility.  Male infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child after a year of unprotected sex.  When this happens, it’s important to ask the big question: Why?  (Related topics: urology doctor in New York City, erectile dysfunction doctor in New York)
 
There are different reasons why this could be happening, including erectile dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, chronic health issues, and even lifestyle choices.  When we refer to lifestyle choices, there are many things that we’re referring to.  One of the factors to consider is smoking cigarettes, as they can damage your sperm..
 
To understand why, we need to discuss human sperm cells.  These cells carry two proteins called protamine 1 and protamine 2.  Instead of being balanced, smokers usually have less protamine 2 than they should.  This makes them vulnerable to DNA damage.  As a result, the damaged sperm has a difficult time fertilizing the cell.
 
It’s important to note that not all tobacco users will be infertile.  If you are having trouble with male infertility, however, you should consider all of the reasons why this could be happening. Even if it’s not due to cigarettes, our urologist in New York will help pinpoint the cause.  This is crucial, as the urologist in New York can’t make a treatment plan until they identify the cause.  After the treatment plan is created and completed, you and your wife can continue your journey of having a child.