Does marijuana use affect my ability to conceive (in men and women), and affect my pregnancy outcome?
The short answer is: Yes.
Background:
Marijuana use has been reported in men and women of reproductive age. This article attempts to answer questions related to marijuana use in men and women and the probability of conception and its likelihood of having a relatively healthy baby.
Some questions this article will attempt to answer include:
1)Does marijuana use in women increase of decrease the probability of having a relatively healthier baby?
2)How does marijuana interacts with my reproductive systems, scientifically speaking?
3)How does marijuana use affect men, in terms of reproductive abilities?
4)How does marijuana use affect women, in terms of reproductive abilities and outcome?
Analysis:
Recently, according to the National Institute of Health, a large, population-based retrospective cohort (n = 661,617, i.e., the research sample size is 661,617) in Ontario, Canada, found that any self-reported maternal marijuana use in pregnancy was significantly associated with an increased risk of
– Preterm birth (Relative Risk= 1.41, 95% Confidence Level, 1.36–1.47),
– Small for gestational age (Relative Risk= 1.53, 95% Confidence Level, 1.45–1.61),
– Placental abruption (Relative Risk= 1.72, 95% Confidence Level, 1.54–1.92),
– Transfer to neonatal intensive care (Relative Risk= 1.40, 95% Confidence Level, 1.36–1.44)
Relative risk (RR) refers to the probability of an event occurring in a study/interested/treatment group compared to the probability of an event occurring in a control group. In this case, 1.41 in RR means there is 41% higher chance of preterm birth in maternal marijuana use group vs. the control group.
Another recent, large retrospective study found that prenatal CUD (cannabis use disorder) was associated with
- Greater odds of being small for gestational age (Odds Ratio = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.07–1.2),
- Low birth weight (Odds Ratio = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.07–1.20), and
- Death within 1 year of birth (Odds Ratio = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.12–1.62)
Odds Ratio is similar to Relative Risk. An odds ratio (OR) is a measure of association between an exposure and an outcome. The OR represents the odds that an outcome will occur given a particular exposure, compared to the odds of the outcome occurring in the absence of that exposure
According to the National Institute of Health, research to date suggests that marijuana use may affect the processes involved with reproduction including the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, menstrual cyclicity, ovulation, and sperm parameters. In men, FSH hormone helps control the production of sperm.
In women, FSH hormone helps control the menstruation cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs in ovaries. In men, LH hormones causes testes (testicles) to produce testosterone. In women, LH triggers the creation of steroid hormones from the ovaries. Additionally, LH helps to regulate the length and order of the menstrual cycle in females by playing roles in both ovulation and implantation of an egg in the uterus
Additionally, as its main active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can cross the placenta, there is a concern (according to NIH) for potential harmful effects to the developing fetus and offspring from maternal use during pregnancy and lactation.
More independent studies are needed, but there is evidence to suggest that marijuana may interfere with the body’s innate endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoid receptors are present throughout the body, including the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, uterus, testes, and sperm. The endocannabinoid system remains under preliminary research, but may be involved in regulating physiological and cognitive processes, including fertility, pregnancy, pre– and postnatal development, various activity of immune system, appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory.
Summary:
National Institute of Health states that “At this time, no amount of marijuana use during conception or pregnancy is known to be well tolerated and the limited available evidence suggests that the safest choice is to abstain.”
However, in states where Marijuana use is legal, one could consider consulting a knowledge group of physicians of various specialties, so as to devise a sound medical treatment plan, in case medical marijuana is recommended by a licensed physician.
Answers to some of the questions:
1)Does marijuana use in women increase of decrease the probability of having a relatively healthier baby?
Answer: Marijuana uses likely decrease the probability of having a relatively healthier baby.
2)How does marijuana interacts with my reproductive systems, scientifically speaking?
Answer: Marijuana uses likely interferes with various hormones that controls reproductive organs and functions.
3)How does marijuana use affect men, in terms of reproductive abilities?
Answer: Marijuana likely interferes with testes (testicles) and sperm in men.
4)How does marijuana use affect women, in terms of reproductive abilities and outcome?
Answer: Marijuana likely interferes with ovaries and uterus in women. Please see reported birth outcome data above in the main body of the article.
Disclaimer:
This article does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your specific situation. Lifestyle choices are individuals’ choices.
It is written by Eggschain editors, and is medically reviewed by Hugh Taylor, MD, the Anita O’Keeffe Young Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is also Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology at Yale University.
References:
Effects of marijuana on reproductive health: preconception and gestational effects – PMC (nih.gov)
