Why you shouldn’t smoke marijuana while pregnant.
More than 50 percent of the U.S. population will use marijuana at some point in their lives. The active ingredient found in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, begins to accumulate in fatty tissues with chronic use. As a result, side effects such as lower sperm production can occur. Marijuana also can adversely affect sperm mobility and lead to the development of abnormal sperm. In women, the use of marijuana can inhibit embryo development, which can result in fetal loss.
Marijuana use adversely affects sperm production. In other words, the quantity and quality of the sperm dramatically decreases, and testicular function is altered. Decreased testicular size, lower testosterone levels, and decreased libido can also occur. Also when smoking marijuana, cannabinoid receptors bind themselves to the sperm, which inhibits proper mobility and fertilization of an egg. A cannaboid receptor is a chemical structure of tetrahydrocannabinol which causes the effects felt when smoking marijuana.
Preimplantation Embryo Development
The implantation of an embryo in the womb can be altered as a result of marijuana use. As a consequence, the development of the embryo can be inhibited, a pregnancy may not occur at all, or the mother may lose the fetus. The uterus needs to provide an environment for the fetus to safely develop. If the environment is disrupted, then the possibility of implantation cannot take place.
Women who smoke marijuana end up with a trace amount of THC in their vaginal canal. Tetrahydrocannabinol is also present within the reproductive organs. When sperm try to enter the vaginal canal, rather than being able to swim to fertilize an egg, they will instead become overstimulated by the THC. As a result, they can’t fertilize an egg.
Risks in Men
Men who are chronic smokers of marijuana were at an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. The risk is higher in men who smoke for more than ten years, and use the drug more than once a week. The type of cancer is linked to nonseminoma testicular cancer, which can be a difficult cancer to treat, and is a more aggressive form of testicular cancer. Nonseminoma cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells that produce sperm.
Other Adverse Effects
Other effects of marijuana use on the reproductive system include infertility in women, and the potential for offspring to have reduced fertility. A fetus can also be exposed to the THC through the placenta. Impotence in men can also occur. Menstrual abnormalities, lower testosterone, and adverse effects on the fetus may also occur. A concern for women is when THC crosses through the placenta, retardation of fetal growth can happen, as well as expulsion of the fetus.
In addition to risks associated with the reproductive system, marijuana use poses a risk to brain function; it can impair coordination or cause memory loss. It also can increase depression and anxiety, as well as increased heart rate after smoking. It also causes respiratory issues, as well as a decrease in cognitive ability, and impaired judgment.