Yes, you should stop vaping if you want to get pregnant, as it can reduce fertility in both men and women, and quitting significantly improves your chances of conception and protects future baby's health from harmful chemicals and nicotine found in e-cigarettes, with experts recommending quitting at least three months before trying.
Even with limited research on the long-term effects of vaping on fertility, what we do know suggests vaping could negatively impact sperm and egg quality, hormone levels and general reproductive health. Experts generally recommend waiting at least three months after quitting vaping before trying to conceive.
While many people are aware of the risks of vaping during pregnancy, fewer realise that vaping can also affect fertility and the ability to conceive. Nicotine and other chemicals found in e-cigarettes may interfere with reproductive hormones and ovulation, potentially making it more difficult to get pregnant.
If you want a baby, you should try to quit smoking at least 3 months before you start trying to get pregnant. This is how long it usually takes for your body to make more sperm.
What's off-limits?
The "3 over 6 rule" in fertility awareness methods (FAMs) confirms ovulation by identifying a sustained rise in your Basal Body Temperature (BBT): it requires three consecutive days of temperatures higher than the six days before them, with the third high temperature being at least 0.2°C (0.4°F) above the preceding six days' highest point, marking the end of the fertile window for avoiding pregnancy and confirming ovulation has occurred. This rule, used with other signs like cervical mucus, helps pinpoint the infertile phase after ovulation, but it's not an exact science and requires careful daily tracking.
Yes. The good news is that women and birthing people who stop smoking don't take any longer to get pregnant than people who have never smoked. Stopping smoking will also improve your chances of getting pregnant if you are using fertility treatment, such as IVF.
Nicotine itself is a problem, too. According to the U.S Surgeon General, nicotine restricts oxygen and blood flow to a growing baby's brain and organs, and exposure during pregnancy can lead to cognitive and developmental delays.
A number of reports suggest that nicotine has detrimental effects on sperm quality including sperm DNA integrity, leads to decreased sperm motility, viability, concentration, and abnormalities in the offspring (Fig. 1) [23,24].
Vape alternatives range from Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) like patches, gum, and lozenges, to nicotine-free flavored air inhalers (FÜM, Cigtrus) that satisfy oral fixation, to plant-based diffusers (ripple+), and prescription medications (Varenicline, Bupropion), offering ways to manage cravings and quit vaping with options focusing on flavor, habit replacement, or nicotine reduction. Other alternatives include heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches, or adopting lifestyle changes like exercise.
age – fertility declines with age. weight – being overweight or obese (having a BMI of 30 or over) reduces fertility; in women, being overweight or severely underweight can affect ovulation. sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – several STIs, including chlamydia, can affect fertility.
However, early research shows that vaping, even without nicotine, is not a completely safe alternative to cigarette smoking.
In general, females develop greater airway resistance following e-cigarette use. Odds of COPD and self-reported COPD as well as symptoms of asthma are greater in females as compared to males. The magnitude of nicotine accumulation in the brain is also greater in females than in males who vape.
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes a hormone imbalance, which affects ovulation. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and obesity, abnormal hair growth on the face or body, and acne. It's the most common cause of female infertility.
Nicotine damages eggs and sperm, increasing the risk of infertility in both men and women. The new WHO infertility guideline recommends quitting tobacco to increase your chances of conceiving. Fertility care includes information on how lifestyle can impact health. bit.ly/4ol6cka.
There's no exact number, but roughly 10-15 vape puffs can equal one cigarette, though this varies greatly; it could be as few as 4 puffs with high-nicotine liquid or up to 50 puffs with weaker liquid, depending on puff duration, device power (pod vs. mod), and e-liquid strength (like 5% vs. 12mg/mL). A single cigarette delivers about 1-2 mg of nicotine, while a vape's nicotine delivery changes significantly with user style and device settings.
E-cigarettes in pregnancy
E-cigarettes are fairly new and there are still some things we do not know. However, current evidence on e-cigarettes indicates they are much less risky than smoking.
Because vaping is far less harmful than smoking, your health could benefit from switching from smoking to vaping. And you will reduce your risk of getting cancer. Switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes could also save you a lot of money.
How to increase your chances of getting pregnant
Signs of Unhealthy Sperm
Four common signs of ovulation are changes in cervical mucus (becoming clear, stretchy, like egg whites), mild lower abdominal pain or cramping (mittelschmerz), a slight increase in basal body temperature, and an increased libido or sex drive, though not everyone experiences all these signs. Other indicators can include breast tenderness, bloating, light spotting, or mood changes, as hormonal shifts prepare the body for a potential pregnancy.
Signs of ovulation
But predictable monthly bleeding is the most reliable sign that you are ovulating. Menstrual bleeding happens when hormone levels drop after ovulation. Before ovulation, cervical mucus may be dry or sticky. As ovulation approaches, it often becomes creamier.
Your probability of getting pregnant naturally through timed sexual intercourse peaks in the 2 days leading up to ovulation and on the day of ovulation itself (the day you release an egg). Having regular sex during these days will give you the highest chance of conceiving.