The first week of November is National Fertility Awareness Week in the UK. According to leading data and analytics company GlobalData‘s epidemiologists, there were 1.55 million total prevalent cases of infertility in women aged 15-44 years across the UK in 2023, which is set to increase to 1.60 million cases by 2033. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse.
Smoking is known to be a risk factor for infertility, with studies establishing a link between smoking and accelerated ovarian follicular depletion, which is caused by lower serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and reduced antral follicle count. However, the impact of vaping on reproductive health has not yet been established, despite it being a growing trend, especially among individuals of reproductive age.
Go deeper with GlobalData
According to the Office for National Statistics, 5.1 million people older than 16 years vaped, or used e-cigarettes, in the UK in 2023. The use of vapes and e-cigarettes was found to be highest among people aged 16-24 years, closely followed by those aged 25-34 years (with 15.8% and 12.7% using e-cigarettes or vapes either daily or occasionally, respectively).
A study published in Human Reproduction in July 2024 by Dhonnabhain and colleagues investigated the effect of smoking and vaping on hormonal ovarian markers in women of reproductive age in the UK. The cross-sectional study analysed medical history and serum AMH and FSH concentrations from capillary blood samples of 8,340 women aged 21-45 years in the UK. Women who were using hormonal contraception, and those with reproductive conditions, were excluded from the analysis. Among 8,340 participants, 312 participants smoked and 653 participants vaped. Lower serum AMH values were observed in smokers and vapers in all age groups, which is indicative of a depleting egg reserve. However, there was no significant difference in serum FSH concentration found in women who vaped compared to women who did not smoke. The results of the study suggest that both smoking and vaping have a detrimental effect on a female’s ovarian reserves. This highlights the need for awareness and preventative measures, especially among younger women who are increasingly likely to vape.
On 24 October 2024, the UK government announced that disposable vapes, which make vaping increasingly accessible for younger people, will be banned in the UK from 1 June 2025. The ban aims to protect the health of young people and reduce the environmental impact of vaping. People younger than 18 years will also be prohibited from purchasing cigarettes from 1 June 2025. This, along with the ban on disposable vapes, should reduce the number of young people who take up smoking. With the reduced accessibility, the number of young people vaping and smoking is expected to decrease. GlobalData epidemiologists anticipate that this should reduce the number of women who are susceptible to infertility as a consequence of vaping and e-cigarette use.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
