Many people are aware that smoking can affect a baby's health. But less people know that smoking can also affect both male and female fertility. If you are trying for a baby, and quit smoking, it can seriously enhance your chances of getting pregnant. According to a report by the British Medical Association (BMA), women have a 40% lower chance of getting pregnant if they smoke. Smoking has also been found to be the cause of 120,000 cases of male impotence in men aged 30 to 50 every year.

So what is the reason for the serious effect that smoking seems to have on fertility? Well, there are a few. Smoking may affect the release of the hormone estrogen, which plays an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle and in fetal development. There have been studies which suggest that smoking can reduce the amount of estrogen produced by the body. Smoking can also lead to dryness of the vagina. Some studies suggest that smoking leads to the destruction of eggs while they are in the ovaries, which can result in a lower egg count. Smoking can affect the fallopian tubes, and even lead to diseases. It can cause genetic problems in women's eggs, which can lead to problems later on for the baby. And smoking may also negatively affect the implanting of the embryo in the uterus.

If this list of problems isn't enough, smoking can also cause problems with male fertility. Less research has been done on this, but there is evidence to suggest that smoking lowers sperm count. Smoking may also affect the motility of sperm, and lead to genetically abnormal sperm.

It is clear from all this evidence that smoking can seriously impact fertility, and the chances you have to conceive. It is recommended that you quit smoking at least two months prior to trying for a baby. Smoking is highly dangerous for the fetus, and so once you discover you are pregnant, you should stop completely.