With cannabis becoming more available for both recreational and medicinal use, research on the effects of cannabis is becoming much more common. More than half of all states have legalized the use of cannabis medicinally and ten states allow recreational use. The possibility of legalization in New York State seems more likely by the day. Although much is still unknown, a recent study has indicated that cannabis influences sexual health in several ways. A study at Duke University Medical Center compared the DNA in sperm of regular cannabis users to non-users and found significant effects.
Regular Cannabis use decreased sperm concentration by 50%.
Semen analyses performed during this study found that sperm concentration in the men who used cannabis regularly was decreased by nearly half, which would have a detrimental effect on their ability to conceive. For men who already have poor sperm counts, this would further impact their ability to conceive.
The highest rates of cannabis use are seen in 18-25-year-olds and the second highest in 26-34-year-olds. Coinciding with this, the average age for men to have their first child in the United States is 27 years old. This means that the likelihood of exposure to cannabis is greatly increased for child bearing age men. Based on the research, men who are moderate/regular cannabis users and are considering having a child at some point in the future should either make adjustments to lifestyle habits or plan ahead and explore banking their sperm.
If you’re struggling to start a family or if you have any concerns about your fertility, contact us for a free phone consultation. We can help.
