Women who consume marijuana may face serious fertility issues, according to a new study.
With more women turning to cannabis and states continuing to legalize its use, researchers are now digging into how marijuana may affect reproductive health. A recent study published in Nature Communications looked at over 1,000 ovarian fluid samples from women undergoing IVF treatments. They found troubling links between tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s main psychoactive compound, and embryo health.
The research showed that eggs exposed to THC had a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities. These abnormalities can lead to infertility, miscarriage, or birth defects. The issue appears to stem from THC interfering with meiosis, the cell division process that creates healthy eggs.
“For women considering or undergoing fertility treatment, this research suggests that cannabis use may compromise reproductive outcomes,” said Dr. Alex Polyakov from the University of Melbourne. “Not by preventing fertilization, but by reducing the likelihood of producing chromosomally normal embryos.”
Pharmacologist Mark Connor added that the study didn’t look at natural conception. Lead researcher Cyntia Duval emphasized that the findings show a link, not a confirmed cause.
“More studies are needed to verify our findings and determine how, or even if, the changes we observed affect reproduction,” she told CNN.
The takeaway? Women trying to get pregnant, especially through IVF, may want to reconsider their cannabis use.
