Shocking difference between sperm of 35-year-old smoker vs non-smoker

A shocking video has revealed the difference in the sperm of a 35-year-old smoker and a non-smoker.

If you're trying to conceive or thinking about having a family in the future, you should probably kick the habit sooner rather than later, judging by this video.

Dr Karan Rajan shared the difference between the two, with a stern warning about your chances of conception.

He said: "Smokers have around 9.7 million fewer sperm per millilitre compared to non-smokers."

That's a 23 percent reduction in sperm count, and the expert points out 'less sperm means lower odds of conception, basic maths.'

However, even if you're one of the lucky ones and the count appears normal, not everything is as it seems, warns Dr Rajan: "The smoking is breaking the DNA inside those sperm."

It can hinder your chances of successfully conceiving: "You're left with sperm that can't properly fertilise an egg. Even if it does, you're increasing the risk of maternal and foetal complications and passing on damaged genetic material," he warns.

Not a smoker yourself but around people who do?

That can still have a bad result, warns the doctor: "If your partner smokes around you or you're exposed to smoky environments, you're exposing your reproductive cells to the same oxidative stress.

"Your sperm and your partner's eggs are both taking damage from ambient smoke exposure."

Not only that, but your sperm also carries epigenetic tags. These are chemical tags that can turn health risk genes on and off, meaning your smoking could cause future health problems for your child.

The good news is, if you quit smoking your sperm can recover.

The doctor advises: "Studies show that men who stop smoking for at least three months saw their sperm count jump from 18 million to 23 million per millilitre, and their semen volume increased too."

It can start to repair in just months after kicking the habit.

"Your body begins to repair the damage, the process of making new sperm takes around 74 days, so after quitting for three months, you're producing healthier sperm."

The NHS agrees with him, warning potential fathers that there 'is no safe level of smoking, even light or occasional smoking is associated with reduced male fertility."

Many commenters were concerned, asking if vaping also impacts their fertility.

Clinical research has found that vaping can be just as harmful, and it is also recommended to quit vaping at least three months before trying to conceive.

It's never too late to quit.