LONDON: A study conducted by UK fertility firm Hertility has raised concerns about the impact of vaping on women’s fertility. According to the findings, female e-cigarette users aged 36 to 40 exhibit lower levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), an important indicator of fertility, compared to non-vapers.
The study, which analyzed data from 325,000 women, found that women in the specified age group who vape have approximately one-fifth less AMH than their non-vaping counterparts. Dr. Helen O’Neill, the head of the research team, emphasized the significance of this discovery, highlighting it as the first piece of evidence demonstrating a link between fertility and vaping across a large population.
Dr. O’Neill stressed the importance of women considering their reproductive health when using e-cigarettes, stating, “This is the first piece of evidence to show a link between fertility and vaping across a large population. It shows AMH is suppressed in vapers compared to non-vapers in a similar way to smokers.”
The report also highlighted the prevalence of vaping among women attempting to conceive, with one in five women reported to be using e-cigarettes during this period. Furthermore, the study highlighted additional factors that could potentially impact fertility, including recreational drug use and excessive alcohol consumption, which were observed in seven percent and four percent of women trying to conceive, respectively.
In response to these findings, Dr. O’Neill advised women to cease vaping altogether rather than attempting to moderate their usage. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing reproductive health, especially for women in their late thirties and early forties who may already face challenges related to fertility.
The study’s revelations come amidst growing concerns about the prevalence of vaping, not only among adults but also among adolescents. Recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that England ranks sixth out of 40 nations for e-cigarette use among 11 to 13-year-olds.
Alarmingly, the report reveals that children in England are vaping at higher rates than their counterparts in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada, with only those in the Baltics and Eastern Europe surpassing them in usage.
Specifically, in England, thirty percent of 15-year-old girls reported using e-cigarettes in the past month, a figure significantly higher than the European average of 21 percent.
