Men Who Smoke Marijuana Weekly Double Their Partner’s Miscarriage Risk, Study Finds
Research has shown that men who use marijuana at least once a week before conception are twice as likely to increase the risk of miscarriage in their partners.
A 2021 study from Boston University has found that marijuana use has an impact on fertility, particularly in men and pregnant women.
Research finds that marijuana use could be linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, regardless of whether you partake or not. Alyssa Harlow, a public health researcher, spearheaded the study and revealed that men who smoked weed as little as once a week doubled the chances of their partner experiencing a miscarriage. THC, the active compound in marijuana, binds to cannabinoid receptors found in testicles and sperm, potentially impairing sperm function and increasing the likelihood of pregnancy loss. The male contribution to fertility is often overlooked, but with half of the genetic material coming from them, it's time we acknowledge their role as well.
The study, published in PubMed, analyzed data from the Pregnancy Study Online, spanning from 2013 to 2019.
Out of 1,535 couples who conceived during the study, researchers found:
19% of pregnancies ended in spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).
Men who used marijuana at least once a week before conception had double the risk of their partner experiencing a miscarriage compared to men who didn’t use marijuana.
This association held even when the female partner didn’t use marijuana.
The risk was most pronounced for miscarriages occurring before 8 weeks of gestation, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.5 for frequent male marijuana users.
For men aged 35 and older, the risk was even higher, with an HR of 4.1 for weekly marijuana use.
Marijuana use has become popular in America. However, marijuana's potency has increased over the years thanks to genetic modifications aimed at enhancing its psychoactive effects, particularly THC levels. Moreover, while many hail marijuana as a safer alternative to alcohol or tobacco, emerging evidence suggests otherwise. Long-term use has been linked to cognitive impairments, increased risk of psychosis, and even impacts on mental health, such as depression and amotivational syndrome.
While society’s attitude toward marijuana is changing, research is still uncovering the risks associated with its use. As of now, it’s clear that smoking weed, even as infrequently as once a week, can significantly increase the risk of miscarriage. Researchers need to continue exploring the impact of marijuana use on our fertility and overall well-being.
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