Does Smoking Weed Decrease The Potency Of Sperm?

Posted on Sun, 11 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 11 Jan 2015 Answered on

Wed, 28 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a male who smokes weed and thought I would take a break from it before trying to concieve a child. How long a break would be recommended? I am aware smoking it makes a mans sperm less potent, but does weed smoking in males before conception cause any birth defects? My partner wants to try in a few days, but I am not sure if we should wait a month longer to try or not.

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Wait for 3 months

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I understand your concerns about smoking and trying to conceive.

Smoking weed does decrease sperms in men. But it does not cause birth defects.

It is better to wait for 3 months without smoking br=efore trying for new sperms to appear

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Koregol (40 minutes later)

If it does not cause birth defects, why wait? We haven't tried intercourse/conception yet anyway... Would there be any harm in trying earlier/soon?

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Koregol (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No harm in trying earlier

Detailed Answer:
Hi

If there are any defects in sperms due to smoking, it would take 3 months to normalise and bring up sperm count.

Anyway you can try right away. No problem. But chances of pregnancy will be less in next 3 months.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar