How long should I quit before trying to conceive?

At least 3 months is the classic recommendation in reproductive medicine — that's a full egg-maturation cycle. 6 months is even better, especially if you've smoked for a long time.

Will my periods change after I quit?

Cycles may become more regular and periods sometimes less painful. Many women also notice a return of libido and lubrication.

If I only vape, do I still need to stop when trying for a baby?

Ideally yes. Nicotine alone has vasoconstrictive effects on uterus and ovaries. If you can't fully stop, at least aim for maximum reduction.

I'm 38 and have smoked for 20 years. Too late?

No, not too late to recover part of fertility. The eggs you'll ovulate in the 3 months after quitting will be less exposed to toxins. But age becomes a major factor after 35: an AMH test at the gynaecologist can help assess your reserve.

If my AMH is already low because of smoking, will quitting bring it back up?

No, AMH does not climb back up: the ovarian reserve never replenishes. But the quality of remaining eggs can improve meaningfully.

My partner smokes too. Should he quit for our project?

Yes, ideally. Male smoking affects sperm quality. And passive smoking also affects your fertility. The baby project is often the trigger for quitting together — which works statistically better when both commit.

What if I'm already in an IVF cycle?

Quit as soon as possible, ideally before hormonal stimulation. Many clinics strongly discourage — and sometimes refuse — stimulation in current smokers.

Smoking and female fertility: impact on ovarian reserve, time to conception and the benefits of quitting

Smoking lowers ovarian reserve, lengthens time to conception and brings menopause forward by 2-4 years. Largely reversible with 3 months smoke-free.

June 10, 2026 Aria

The scientific basis on quitting smoking was reviewed on a voluntary basis by Pr. Bertrand Dautzenberg , a tobacco specialist, in order to rule out gross, potentially dangerous errors. It reflects positions commonly shared by health professionals and health agencies, without always corresponding exactly to his thinking or his practice. He is not the author of this text; he has only carried out a vigilance review of it.

You're thinking about a baby, or you're already trying, and you still smoke. What you're about to read isn't here to guilt-trip you: it's here to give you clear figures on what tobacco does to your reproductive system, and how long it takes to recover after quitting. The good news: it is largely reversible, provided you take action early enough.

What tobacco does to your reproductive system

+ 66 % of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) in smokers. FSH rises when ovarian reserve drops: a direct biological signal of accelerated ovarian ageing.

Compiled studies, reproductive medicine

How much longer to get a baby?

+ 1 year or more of average time to conceive in smokers, dose-dependent. The more you smoke, the longer the wait. The longer you smoke, the larger the effect.

Meta-analysis Augood et al., 12 studies

Earlier menopause

In assisted reproduction / IVF

− 30 % on average in live birth rate per IVF cycle in smokers vs non-smokers. And more hormonal stimulation is needed to get the same egg count.

Compiled studies in reproductive medicine

Second-hand smoke counts too

How long to recover after quitting

3 months about 90 days is the full cycle of egg maturation for the one you'll ovulate. So quitting 3 months before conception means the fertilised egg has been spared the toxins.
6 months egg quality is clearly improved.
1 year ovarian reserve stays where it is (the stock doesn't refill), but ovarian function normalises.
Several years early menopause risk comes back close to a non-smoker's — without being able to 'catch up' the lost eggs.

What to avoid while trying

Extra benefits of quitting

In United Kingdom

Your questions

How long should I quit before trying to conceive?

At least 3 months is the classic recommendation in reproductive medicine — that's a full egg-maturation cycle. 6 months is even better, especially if you've smoked for a long time.
Will my periods change after I quit?

Cycles may become more regular and periods sometimes less painful. Many women also notice a return of libido and lubrication.
If I only vape, do I still need to stop when trying for a baby?

Ideally yes. Nicotine alone has vasoconstrictive effects on uterus and ovaries. If you can't fully stop, at least aim for maximum reduction.
I'm 38 and have smoked for 20 years. Too late?

No, not too late to recover part of fertility. The eggs you'll ovulate in the 3 months after quitting will be less exposed to toxins. But age becomes a major factor after 35: an AMH test at the gynaecologist can help assess your reserve.
If my AMH is already low because of smoking, will quitting bring it back up?

No, AMH does not climb back up: the ovarian reserve never replenishes. But the quality of remaining eggs can improve meaningfully.
My partner smokes too. Should he quit for our project?

Yes, ideally. Male smoking affects sperm quality. And passive smoking also affects your fertility. The baby project is often the trigger for quitting together — which works statistically better when both commit.
What if I'm already in an IVF cycle?

Quit as soon as possible, ideally before hormonal stimulation. Many clinics strongly discourage — and sometimes refuse — stimulation in current smokers.

sources

Augood C, Duckitt K, Templeton AA, Smoking and female infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Human Reproduction.
Freour T et al., AMH levels in smokers vs non-smokers, Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 2008.
NHS, Trying to get pregnant — smoking, NHS Health A-Z.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Smoking and reproductive life — position statement.
ScienceDirect review, Effects of smoking on reproduction: from oocyte to embryo.