Chronic cannabis use significantly elevated FSH levels in infertile men, while tobacco and cannabis mildly reduced sperm count, testosterone, and LH without reaching statistical significance.
Reproductive endocrinologists, fertility specialists, and andrologists.
Significant FSH elevationin cannabis users (p=0.043), suggesting testicular dysfunction, in a study of 160 infertile men
What the researchers found
FSH was significantly higher in cannabis users vs. controls (p=0.043). Mild, non-significant decreases in sperm count, LH, and testosterone were observed across all substance user groups.
Why it matters
Understanding how common substances affect male fertility parameters is important for clinical counseling, particularly as both tobacco and cannabis use are modifiable risk factors.
The numbers in context
160 infertile men: 40 cigarette smokers, 40 dipping tobacco, 40 cannabis users, 40 controls. Cannabis users had significantly elevated FSH (p=0.043). Other changes were non-significant.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional comparison of semen parameters (after 2-7 days abstinence) and serum hormones (testosterone, FSH, LH by ELISA) across four groups of infertile men.
Who was studied
160 infertile men divided into cigarette smokers (n=40), dipping tobacco users (n=40), cannabis users (n=40), and controls (n=40).
What this study cannot tell us
Small sample sizes per group (n=40). All participants were already infertile, limiting generalizability. Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Substance use doses/duration not detailed.
How to read the evidence
Small cross-sectional study in an already-infertile population; limited statistical power and generalizability.
When this study was published
Recent study of substance effects on male fertility parameters.
The bigger picture
While the effects were mild, elevated FSH in cannabis users suggests testicular dysfunction, consistent with other studies showing cannabis impacts on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Replication
Small study in infertile men; larger studies in general population needed.
Funding
Not specified in abstract
Conflicts of interest
Not specified in abstract
Questions still open
- Would effects be more pronounced in a non-infertile population?
- Does the duration of cannabis use affect the magnitude of hormonal changes?
Read the original research
The effects of tobacco and cannabis use on semen and endocrine parameters in infertile males.
Human fertility (Cambridge, England), 26(3), 564-572
Citation
Khan, Nawabzada; Shah, Mohsin; Malik, Muhammad Omar; Badshah, Haroon; Habib, Syed Hamid; Shah, Inayat; Shah, Fawad Ali. (2023). The effects of tobacco and cannabis use on semen and endocrine parameters in infertile males.. Human fertility (Cambridge, England), 26(3), 564-572. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2021.1969042