Associations of Hookah and Cigarette Smoking With In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

The global prevalence of smoking among women of reproductive age is significant, and the impact of tobacco on assisted reproductive technologies requires evaluation. This study aimed to determine the association between cigarette or hookah smoking with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 200 women undergoing their first IVF cycle at Arash Infertility Center (Tehran, Iran). Ovarian response, oocyte maturity (Metaphase I (MI) and II (MII), embryo quality, and pregnancy outcomes were compared between cigarette smokers and non-smokers, as well as between hookah users and non-users.

Among the 200 participants, cigarette smokers (n=100) had significantly fewer mature (MII) oocytes than non-smokers (6.72±2.90 vs. 8.63±6.20; P = 0.036). Hookah users (n=100) did not show a significant decrease in the number of MII oocytes compared to non-smokers (8.06±5.81 vs. 8.73±6.12; P = 0.512). There were no significant differences in MI oocytes, embryos obtained, embryo quality, or chemical and clinical pregnancy rates between cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Hookah users had more MI oocytes compared to non-users (7.88±5.63 vs. 6.05±4.44; P = 0.010). The chemical pregnancy rate was higher in the hookah-user group than in non-users (P = 0.036). Logistic regression analysis showed no link between cigarette smoking, hookah smoking, age, or BMI and pregnancy rates.

Cigarette smoking may impair oocyte maturation, while hookah use showed inconsistent associations with IVF outcomes. These findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited sample size and cross-sectional design.