Marijuana use and fecundability in a North American preconception cohort study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Human Fertility Studies
• Cannabis Research

Background:

• The impact of marijuana use on human fertility remains understudied.
• Existing research has not definitively established a link between cannabis consumption and reproductive outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between female and male marijuana use and fecundability.
• To provide data on how cannabis consumption affects a couple's ability to conceive.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of North American couples (Pregnancy Study Online).
• Analysis included 4194 women and their partners, with data collected via questionnaires on marijuana use and other lifestyle factors.
• Fecundability ratios (FR) were estimated using proportional probabilities regression models, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

• Men (14.2%) were more likely to use marijuana than women (11.6%).
• No significant association was found between female marijuana use (less than or greater than/equal to 1 time/week) and fecundability.
• Male marijuana use showed a potential positive association with fecundability, particularly for frequent users (≥1 time/week), though confidence intervals included 1.0.

Conclusions:

• This preconception cohort study indicates minimal overall association between female or male marijuana use and fecundability.
• Further research may be needed to explore nuanced effects, especially in specific subgroups or with different consumption patterns.