Cannabis or marijuana is a naturally occurring plant that many people smoke or mix into everyday foods and beverages to achieve the effect they desire. The female cannabis plant produces Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from its buds and leaves, which is a chemical resin that has a range of uses. It is the most common psychotropic drug in the market, second only to alcohol. Most use it for recreational purposes despite its other medicinal qualities.

After smoking or ingesting cannabis, the blood carries the plant's chemicals to the brain and other organs. Depending on the frequency of use, cannabis can have either short or long term effects on an individual. Effects of cannabis start from your brain. It causes over-sensitivity in the areas of your brain with the most receptors. This brings about short term effects by altering the normal brain functions in what people refer to as a high. Long term effects of continuous use of cannabis have a relationship with the brain. However, studies have shown that long term usage also affects fertility in both men and women.

The Effect of Cannabis Use on Male Fertility

 

There are conflicting conclusions in studies done on the positive or negative impacts of cannabis use in male fertility. Some studies involving several couples undertaking in-vitro fertilization treatments show there is a difference in fertility for couples where the male is either a partaker of cannabis or not. The studies show that the chances of having a baby are lower in couples where the male partner regularly uses cannabis. Others came up with the hypothesis that using cannabis does not affect the fertility of men. Studies are still ongoing on the health of sperm from a continuous cannabis user with regard to fertility.

RELATED: Study Suggests Cannabis Usage During Pregnancy Does Not Impair Fetal Development

Many urologists and sexual health experts in this research group recommend abstinence from cannabis for couples having trouble getting pregnant. The studies also show that heavy long-term use of cannabis can result in an increase in sperm malformation, as well as low sperm count and motility. The risk of having a child with autism was a concern in this study. The disclaimer here was that use of cannabis does not render sperm useless.

Can Cannabis Use Affect Fertility in Women?

Studies have shown that quantifying the effects of cannabis on fertility in women is not as easy as it is in men. Continuous use of cannabis can interrupt ovulation by causing the process to delay for a few days. Ovulation takes place when there is an estrogen spike at an opportune time during a menstrual cycle. High levels of THC brought about by continuous use of cannabis, affects the production of estrogen. This stops the estrogen spikes during the menstrual cycle, in turn, delaying or stopping ovulation from taking place. This hampers the fertilization process because the egg is usually missing at the expected time.

Generally speaking, using cannabis in whatever form does not result in fertility issues. However, any underlying issues can be made worse by its use or abuse. The normal endocannabinoid system in the body plays a part in everything concerning reproduction. These processes include; ovulation, tubal passage, preparation of the uterus, and grafting the embryo. Any external influence that interrupts these processes will by extension, corrupt conception.

Among the most recurring problems with the constant use of cannabis in women is a low libido. This can result from either being too high to participate in lovemaking or the complete lack of desire to do so, therefore, this lowers the chances of conceiving a child. Absorption of cannabis by the body crosses the placenta and can lead to irreversible effects on the baby in case a woman uses it while pregnant. The child could be born premature, underweight, and in extreme cases, she could go through a miscarriage or stillbirth. Many women take cannabis to help with morning sickness, which is a dangerous way of trying to keep their food down.

Many studies show that a child can develop some issues after birth as a result of cannabis consumption. Some studies even show that a child may have issues with his or her memory, behaviour, learning, or attention. On a positive note, small doses of cannabis can help combat erectile dysfunction. It also boosts female libido if a user does not over-do it, making it conducive for sex and increasing the chances of conception. Without overindulging, some cannabis-using couples hardly experience a negative difference.

However, it is important to note that the most commonly available cannabis is not regulated and does not meet normal health standards. This means that it can contain external contaminants that are potentially harmful to an individual's fertility.

NEXT: The Link Between Cannabis Usage & Infertility

Sources: healthpartners.com, healthline.com, fatherly.com, livescience.com, drugabuse.gov.