Experts have recommended that those trying to get pregnant should avoid vaping following a new study into fertility.
Analysis of blood samples from more than 8,000 women suggest that people who vape or smoke tobacco had lower levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). This indicates how many eggs women have left in their ovaries.
Almost one quarter of those trying to conceive said they regularly or occasionally vaped, according to the report.
The study – carried out by women’s health firm Hertility and based on data from 325, 000 women – found that AMH levels across all age groups were lower in people who vaped than those who did not.
Women who use vapes and are aged between 36 and 40 years old have up to one fifth less AMH than non-vapers, the report concluded.
First piece of evidence
Dr Helen O’Neill is an expert in reproductive health and molecular genetics, and the chief executive and co-founder of Hertility. She recommended that women trying to get pregnant should stop vaping.
‘This is the first piece of evidence to show a link between fertility and vaping across a large population,’ she told The Times.
‘It shows that AMH is suppressed in vapers compared to non-vapers, in a similar way to what has already been shown in smokers.’
In addition, the report found that 7% reported taking recreational drugs and 40% said they consumed alcohol on a weekly basis.
Dr O’Neill added: ‘Trying to drink in moderation can be a slippery slope when it comes to volumes and intake of wine or alcohol in a week.
She said ‘the best advice is to ‘stop’ rather than ‘cutting down or trying in moderation’.
UK vaping levels
This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that young girls in the UK are vaping, smoking and drinking more than boys.
These were the findings of Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) were published, a WHO collaborative cross-national study. Some have called this the ‘largest study of its kind’.
Data from the study includes:
- Two fifths of UK girls have vaped by the age of 15. This is higher than a number of developed countries including France, Germany, Spain and Canada
- In the past 30 days around 30% of 15-year-old girls and 17% of 15-year-old boys in England had vaped
- UK 11 and 13 year olds are more likely to have drunk alcohol compared with any other country
- Children in Scotland and Wales are more likely to have smoked cannabis compared to most countries.
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