Why cannabis use doubles the risk of male infertility

According to the world’s largest study into lifestyle and sperm quality, taking cannabis can result in the production of abnormal sperm.

17:13 05 June 2014

Researchers who have conducted the world’s largest study into lifestyle and sperm quality, has revealed that taking cannabis increases the risk of men under 30 in producing abnormal sperm by up to 50per cent. 

 

This can lead to lower infertility that can prevent them from having children. The researchers added that drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes do not have the same effect. 

 

Allan Pacey, a specialist in male fertility at Sheffield University, said: “If you are a man trying for a baby then the sensible thing to do is to stop smoking joints but the effect won’t be seen overnight.” 

 

“It takes three months to produce sperm so you can’t stop smoking cannabis on Friday and expect to see an improvement on Monday. You’ve got to stop in June to see an improvement in August.” 

 

Explaining why the effects on younger men, he added: “The fact that we see this in younger men suggests that we are seeing a dose effect. Younger men may be more inclined to smoke cannabis more frequently and in higher doses than older men.”