Research which will debut in the journal Human Reproduction, finds that smoking damages the lining of a woman's womb, making it harder for an egg to take hold.
Lead researcher Dr. Sergio Soares, of Lisbon's IVI Clinic, says, "The non-heavy smokers had a significantly higher pregnancy rate, with over half becoming pregnant, compared with just over a third of the heavy smokers. Heavy smokers have a much lower chance of achieving pregnancy."
"In spite of all the noise generated about the effects of smoking in a series of health areas, its possible effect on uterine receptiveness has never been evaluated until now."
Dr. Soares adds, "Our study is just the first step on this path, and certainly not the last, but it means that we should now be telling patients, if they are heavy smokers, that even if fertilization takes place they have less chance of achieving a successful pregnancy."
