The effect of THC on female fertility
The Effect of THC on Women’s Fertility – New Research Discoveries
The Most Important Research Conclusions
Is THC Actually Harmful?
The Broader Scientific Context
Importance for Patients and Doctors
What’s Next?
The effect of THC on women's fertility – new discoveries of scientists
The impact of THC on female fertility has sparked heated debate in recent months in the world of science and medicine. The increasing use of marijuana raises questions about its implications for women’s reproductive health. A recent study published on September 9th in the prestigious journal Nature Communications by Cynthia Duval and colleagues shows that THC may disrupt the maturation process of egg cells and affect their quality.
Key research findings
Researchers focused on analyzing the follicular fluid that surrounds eggs as they mature. Over a thousand samples collected from patients undergoing in vitro procedures were tested for the presence of THC and its metabolites. These were detected in 62 women, even though some of them did not report marijuana use. This finding in itself demonstrates how long active compounds can persist in the body.
Importantly, laboratory experiments were also conducted in which immature oocytes were exposed to THC. They found that marijuana did indeed accelerate egg maturation. However, this effect came at a high price – the cells were more likely to make errors during chromosome segregation, leading to the formation of embryos with an abnormal number of chromosomes. Aneuploidy is responsible for a significant proportion of miscarriages and early pregnancy failures.
Is THC actually harmful?
The new study is generating considerable interest, but also raising questions. The group analyzed included patients of infertility clinics—women who already needed medical support. It is not yet known whether the same mechanisms occur to the same extent in women trying to conceive naturally. Furthermore, comprehensive data on the frequency and dose of marijuana use are lacking. However, the results suggest that THC may disrupt the natural signals controlling egg maturation and impair its quality, even if the maturation process occurs more quickly.
The Broader Scientific Context
Until now, most research has focused on the effects of marijuana on male fertility. THC has been shown to lower sperm count, impair motility, and damage DNA. For women, knowledge was limited. Epidemiological analyses showed that women who used marijuana were more likely to experience ovulation problems and were less likely to achieve healthy oocytes in in vitro fertilization. Now, thanks to the work of Duval and her team, scientists have a strong argument that THC may indeed affect female fertility through its direct effects on egg cells.
Importance for patients and doctors
The research’s conclusions have practical implications. Women planning a pregnancy, especially those using in vitro fertilization, should seriously consider limiting or completely avoiding marijuana. Doctors increasingly emphasize that reproductive health depends not only on age and hormones, but also on lifestyle and the substances the body is exposed to. Awareness that THC can impair oocyte quality may become an important element in preparing for motherhood.
What's next?
Researchers emphasize that this is just the beginning. More extensive studies are needed to examine the effects of marijuana on women trying to conceive naturally. Scientists also want to analyze the differences between THC and other cannabinoids, such as CBD, and investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the observed changes. Much suggests that the endocannabinoid system, which THC plays a key role not only in oocyte maturation but also in the process of embryo implantation. If so, the implications for female fertility may be even more profound than previously thought.
The impact of THC on female fertility is a growing concern. A study published in Nature Communications shows that marijuana can accelerate oocyte maturation, but it also increases the risk of developing embryos with chromosomal errors. This finding should encourage women planning a pregnancy to exercise caution. While further research is needed, it is already clear that marijuana has a significant impact on women’s reproductive health.
