The use of e-cigarettes rather than traditional cigarettes is becoming more common. Many people prefer using this new device because it poses lesser detrimental effects among the users and the people around them. A fraction of them is young pregnant women.
They prefer hitting on e-cigarettes for a safer action. However, smoking these devices may also pose harmful effects to the body. One of these is affecting the fertility of women, especially the younger ones.
What are E-Cigarettes?
An electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is a device that serves as an alternative to conventional cigarettes. Here, the device is operated through a battery. The user inhales a vaporized solution rather than smoke as is the case with traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes contain nicotine as one of their components.
Teen Users
As smoking of the traditional cigarette rapidly decreases, the use of e-cigarettes is increasing magnanimously. Surprisingly, among the massive users of these devices are teens including young women. Vaping has become famous to young people and this has made it very popular in terms of tobacco use as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has revealed that the numbers of teens in middle and high school that use e-cigarettes increased from 2.1 million in 2017 to a whopping 3.6 in 2018.
Effects on Fertility
With the rising number of e-cigarette users in young women, a study has been conducted. The researchers wanted to find out whether smoking e-cigarettes can have harmful effects on fertility. This is also in line with the pregnancy of some teens using e-cigarettes.
In conducting the study, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the American Heart Association united to provide financial assistance for the research. The authors of the study include Kathleen Caron, Ph.D. from the University of Carolina located at Chapel Hill, N.C. Other researchers in the study include MargeuxWetendorf, Sophia Hurr, Claire Doerschuk, Mahlet Lemma, John Pawlak, and Lewis Randall.
Methods of the Research
During the study, the researchers used the female mouse to serve as an animal model for the experiment. The researchers exposed the animal model to vapor from the e-cigarette for a specified time.
Findings of the Research
After the experiment, the results showed that the female mice had a minimal amount of embryo production. Similarly, pregnancy was also affected because a delay had been observed in its onset.
On the other hand, when the offspring was tested by exposing it to an e-cigarette, a significant difference in the weight was reported. The offspring that was exposed suffered in weight development compared to the control mice.
Kathleen Caron, one of the authors said that there is a delay in the embryo implantation to the uterus if the person has been using e-cigarette before conceiving. This was clear in the experiment where the female mouse was reported to have a low level of fertility. In addition, she also pointed out that continuing the use of e-cigarette while pregnant affects the fetus. This could lead to defects or abnormalities of the offspring.
Conclusion
Though e-cigarette has been a trend to teenagers, there is no denying that it is detrimental to our health. Teens, most especially young women should be aware of this consequence to avoid further problems. Being knowledgeable about the negative effects of e-cigarettes on fertility and pregnancy is a gear for better safety.
