Does Marijuana Impact Male Fertility?
Let’s talk about marijuana and men's reproductive health.
(Note: I believe in inclusivity, and when I’m using the terms “men” or “male” throughout this blog post, I’m referring to people with sperm.)
I've been helping people build families for over 15 years. I love my job, and I especially love answering common questions, like, “What can I do to improve my sperm quality?” and marijuana or cannabis often becomes part of our conversation.
So, this post will explore everything you need to know about cannabis’ impact on people with sperm. Let’s get started.
The basics of cannabis.
Marijuana is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs. Many people use it regularly, sometimes even daily. In the United States, at least one in five people have tried it once in their life.
Today, at least 18 states have legalized cannabis for recreational use, and many more states have legalized it for medical use. The drug can treat common conditions like nausea, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. For some people, it's a recreational way to relax.
There are so many misconceptions about marijuana, and I want to help you understand how it can impact your reproductive health. Let’s start with the basics:
Marijuana comes from cannabis, a plant with multiple chemicals (also known as cannabinoids).
The two most common cannabinoids are THC (a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (a cannabidiol):
THC gives you the feeling of a “high,” where you’re lightheaded and even euphoric.
CBD does not give the euphoric feeling of THC, and it’s generally legal everywhere.
When I'm presenting data on cannabis here, the data involves both cannabinoids THC and CBD. I want to clarify that when I’m writing marijuana or cannabis, I mean marijuana that you could smoke, eat, and ingest, that includes both and typically gives a euphoric feeling.
People assume that marijuana is safe.
The assumption is that cannabis is safe. After all, if the substance is legal in many states and doctors can prescribe it for medical conditions (like nausea from chemotherapy), wouldn’t that make it a safe substance?
Despite its accessibility, marijuana is associated with poor health conditions, such as an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, bronchitis, and even schizophrenia. Men who report weekly use of marijuana have twice the risk of testicular tumors.
So, cannabis is associated with poor health, but it's also associated with poor reproductive health. Many studies show that it impacts sperm quantity and function.
If you’re disappointed by this information, you’re not alone. Marijuana seems natural (it’s from a plant, after all) and harmless, and it can be upsetting to hear that this recreational drug impacts the chances of getting pregnant. I've had patients be resistant to these findings.
Marijuana’s impact on sperm counts and quality.
One study found an impact of marijuana on sperm counts and quality:
The study observed 1,215 Danish men aged 18 to 28 applying for military service.
As part of the testing, they did semen analysis and blood tests, along with a questionnaire that asked about lifestyle habits (including cannabis consumption).
Men who responded that they’d used marijuana at least once a week for the past three months had a 30% lower sperm concentration or sperm count compared.
Marijuana’s impact on sperm morphology.
What about morphology? Morphology is the shape of the sperm. A higher percentage of more “normal-shaped” sperm is usually associated with a higher fertility rate.
An excellent study from the UK found some interesting parallels between marijuana and sperm morphology:
The study observed over 1,700 men from 14 different fertility clinics.
They looked at sperm parameters with consideration to marijuana use and other lifestyle factors.
Men who regularly used cannabis had a twice increased risk of poor sperm morphology on their semen analysis.
Marijuana’s impact on sperm mobility.
Sperm need to swim to find the egg and cause fertilization. So, a higher percentage of moving sperm is associated with a higher chance of fertility.
Many studies have shown that more exposure to marijuana is associated with a lower percentage of motile sperm.
A fascinating study looked at sperm parameters from 78 men:
In the study, sperm was exposed to THC in the lab.
The results showed a dose-dependent reaction; as sperm were exposed to higher levels of THC, the sperm’s motility worsened.
The high levels of THC disrupted the mitochondria within the sperm cells
Mitochondria are the energy-packed parts of all cells that help sperm swim, and when it’s disrupted, the motility of the sperm declines dramatically
Another study focused on sperm (especially the head and middle piece) at a cellular level. The study observed sperm’s cannabinoid receptors. When the receptor was activated (by a cannabinoid), there was a dramatic drop in the sperm’s mobility. There was also a decrease in acrosome reaction, which is the sperm’s ability to attach and enter an egg.
Not only are we seeing poor sperm counts, decreased mobility, and worsened morphology, but we can see that sperm becomes defective on a cellular level with cannabis exposure.
Marijuana’s impact on sperm for IVF.
After meeting with me, many patients may learn that marijuana can worsen their sperm parameters, but they assume high-tech fertility treatment will overcome any harmful impact.
There are not many studies on cannabis use and outcomes with assisted reproduction treatment, but one study observed IVF outcomes and marijuana users. When the male partner used marijuana, there was a lower fertilization rate and lower success rate with IVF.
Cannabis’ impact on miscarriage.
Another study showed that male marijuana use could increase the risk of miscarriage. The prospective study reviewed 1,535 couples trying to conceive. The study observed lifestyle factors in the preconception period, including marijuana use. If the male partner smoked marijuana regularly, first-trimester miscarriage was nearly 2.5 times more likely once the couple conceived.
Does marijuana impact male fertility?
If this blog post disappoints you, I’m sorry. The public assumes that marijuana is safe, natural, and okay, given its use in medical settings and its plant-based origin. However, the studies don’t support this. Studies show lower sperm counts, lower sperm morphology, lower motility, poor outcomes with IVF, and even an increased risk of miscarriage if the male partner regularly uses marijuana.
I hope this blog post is helpful and inspires you to improve your overall reproductive health. If you have any questions, comment in my YouTube video.
