There has been a close adverse correlation between intoxication and reproduction. Be it smoking, alcohol, weed, or other recreational drugs, each of these has notable side effects on the reproductive system, especially in men. Though the medical use of weed/marijuana/cannabis is proven effective in treating various health conditions, its usage for recreational purposes poses various risks. One of them is its impact on sperm morphology and sperm health, which lowers the ability of a man to father a child.
The below-mentioned effects of weed on sperm will baffle you and might act as an alarm the next time you pick up a joint.
How Smoking Weed Effects Your Sperm
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1. Abnormal Sperm Morphology
A research was conducted in England, on the sperm samples of approximately 2000 men who smoked weed. The results showed that around 16% of them had distorted sperm shapes and smaller size. The difference in this morphology was evident in men who had smoked cannabis in the past three months. Ejaculate collected during summer months had further significant changes in morphology.
The reason for the change in the shape was the way the DNA of sperm cells were packed. When not tightly packed, the shape and size were impacted.
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2. Reduced Sperm Count
One of the recent studies conducted showed that men who smoked marijuana once a week had 30% lesser sperm count, compared to men who did not smoke. Marijuana accompanied by other recreational drugs like cocaine, amphetamine, and ecstasy further reduced the count by 55%. The semen volume was also half the volume present in non-smoking men.
This greatly impacts the fertility rate, where most men addicted to cannabis are either not able to produce an offspring or produce an offspring with deformities, low birth weight, or stillbirth.
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3. Decreased Sperm Vitality
An ingredient in weed called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) impacts the ability of the sperm to fertilize the egg, by reducing its endurance and fertility. This is true even when a woman smokes. After smoking weed, THC is present in her vagina, oviduct, uterus, and cervical canal and is also released in her vaginal secretion and reproductive fluids. Thus, even when the man hasn’t smoked, his sperms react with THC, resulting in the altered vitality of sperms.
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4. Lowered Count Of Sperms Reaching The Egg
When a man smokes up weed, his sperms are hyperactivated to swim through the long route, from the vagina to the cervix to the uterus. The process of hyperactivation also happens in men who do not smoke, and this process helps the sperm to push through the cover of the egg. However, under the influence of marijuana, the hyperactivated head start does not last long and such sperms get tired mid-way, being unable to reach the egg and fertilize it.
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5. Decreased Testosterone Levels
Smoking weed can reduce the testosterone levels in the body. It is the hormone responsible for producing sperms and supporting erections. The data on the exact quantity of weed that causes this effect is still under research, since different people react differently to varying quantities of weed. However, a reduced testosterone level leads to poor sperm count and semen concentration and abilities to attain and maintain an erection. This further leads to problems like erectile dysfunction.
If you are planning to start a family and have been under the influence of marijuana, it is suggested that you quit it immediately. Getting an advice from your doctor on the ways to detox yourself before you begin planning, is suggested. It is important to understand that unless prescribed by a doctor, any drug that has psychoactive (gives a high) effects is bad for you. Using them for temporary pleasure could have a lasting impact in the long run.
