Medical Malpractice Case of the Month
June 2002

Although many detrimental health effects of smoking have been well documented, the effects of smoking on fertility have not been characterized adequately. This population-based study of pregnant English women was conducted to identify factors associated with delayed conception.
More than 12,100 couples expecting delivery between April 1991 and December 1992 were initially eligible; 8515 couples were able to identify how long it had taken them to conceive. Slightly fewer than 75% conceived in the first 6 months, 13.9% conceived in the second 6 months, 8.5% conceived in the second and third years, and the rest conceived thereafter. After correction for confounding factors, active smoking by the woman was associated with a significantly higher rate of failure to conceive within 6 or within 12 months. Non-smoking women were more likely to fail to conceive within 6 months if they were exposed to passive smoke in the workplace or at home. Heavy smoking by men was associated independently with delayed conception.
Comment: These results confirm previous observations of reduced fertility in women who smoke cigarettes. The data should provide yet another reason for young women to quit

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