Nicotine gum can potentially have negative effects on fertility for both men and women, though the impacts are generally less severe compared to smoking cigarettes.
For women:
Nicotine exposure through gum may disrupt hormone regulation and affect ovulation[1][2]. - It could potentially reduce uterine receptivity, making implantation of an embryo more difficult[1][2]. - Nicotine may damage fallopian tubes by altering gene expression[4].
For men:
Nicotine from gum can reduce sperm motility and fertilization capacity[3][4]. - It may lower sperm count and semen volume[3][4]. - Nicotine exposure is associated with DNA fragmentation in sperm, which can prevent successful fertilization[3][4].
NRT is still considered a safer alternative
While nicotine gum delivers lower doses of nicotine compared to cigarettes, it still introduces nicotine into the body. This can impact reproductive functions, albeit likely to a lesser degree than smoking.
However, nicotine gum is generally considered a safer alternative for those trying to quit smoking while attempting to conceive[1][2].
If fertility is a concern, it's best to consult a doctor about using nicotine replacement therapy. Ideally, completely quitting nicotine use would be most beneficial for optimizing fertility for both men and women[1][2][3].
Sources
[1] Effects of Nicotine on Sperm Characteristics and Fertility Profile in ... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
[2] An Overview of E-Cigarette Impact on Reproductive Health - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
[3] Smoking and infertility: a committee opinion - ScienceDirect.com https://www.sciencedirect.com/
[4] Smoking, Pregnancy and Fertility - ASH https://ash.org.uk/resources/
[5] How Smoking Can Affect Fertility | NICORETTE® https://www.nicorette.co.uk/
