It’s often portrayed as a healthier alternative to smoking, but a new study may put you off vaping - especially if you’re try to conceive.
The study, by researchers from the University of North Carolina, has revealed that women who vape may find it harder to get pregnant.
Worryingly, the researchers also found that women who vape throughout their pregnancy could unknowingly be affecting their baby’s metabolism.
In the study, the researchers exposed female mice to e-cigarette vapour, both before and after conception.
The results showed that mice who were exposed to e-cigarette vapour before conception had impaired fertility, while those who were exposed while pregnant experienced health issues in their offspring.
Dr Kathleen Caron, who led the study, said: “We found that e-cigarette usage prior to conception significantly delayed implantation of a fertilised embryo to the uterus, thus delaying and reducing fertility (in mice).
“We also discovered that e-cigarette usage throughout pregnancy changed the long-term health and metabolism of female offspring - imparting lifelong, second-generation effects on the growing foetus."
The reason for this link remains unclear, as does whether the findings could apply to humans as well as mice.
Despite this, the researchers hope the findings will highlight the health risks of vaping.
Dr Caron added: “These findings are important because they change our views on the perceived safety of e-cigarettes as alternatives to traditional cigarettes before and during pregnancy.”
