Australian fertility experts are urging women planning to conceive, whether naturally or through IVF, to avoid cannabis and any products containing it, following the publication of first-of-its-kind research into THC's effect on human eggs.
The study, led by researchers at the University of Toronto and published in Nature Communications, analysed follicular fluid samples from more than 1,000 IVF patients. It found that higher levels of THC were associated with eggs maturing more quickly but with fewer being chromosomally normal, making them less likely to fertilise successfully and more likely to produce embryos with chromosomal defects. Independent laboratory experiments supported the findings.
Associate Professor Alex Polyakov, Medical Director at Genea Fertility Melbourne, says the advice is clear: anyone trying to conceive or undergoing IVF should not be using cannabis products, including oils and edibles. He notes that THC is an active ingredient across the full range of commercial cannabis products and is metabolised into additional compounds that may also be harmful. A particularly significant finding, he says, is that THC levels in the blood and in follicular fluid were equivalent, meaning all eggs were exposed to the same concentration. Higher THC levels could therefore elevate miscarriage risk in younger women to levels more typically associated with older women.
While the study identifies an association rather than direct cause and effect, and researchers acknowledge more work is needed, the findings add to a growing body of evidence linking cannabis use to impaired reproductive outcomes.
Read the full article for the complete research findings and expert commentary.
A/Prof Alex Polyakov
Associate Professor Alex Polyakov is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Fertility specialist practicing in East Melbourne. A/Prof Polyakov is unique among fertility specialists by offering a holistic approach that encompasses surgical, fertility, and obstetric care. This means Alex is highly trained to perform surgical interventions for gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, and intrauterine polyps/adhesions.
