Before you’ve even created your embryos—whether for surrogacy or for traditional IVF—your choices around cannabis can matter more than you think.

Understanding when and why to stop smoking weed before IVF can make a meaningful difference in how your IVF cycle plays out.

This guide covers when to stop using weed before IVF, how it impacts fertility in both men and women and what your options are if IVF isn’t working after stopping cannabis use.

If you’re planning to create embryos and explore surrogacy, we can help you get started with the early stages of the surrogacy process. Once your embryos are created, we can match you with a surrogate. Contact us today.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider about your specific fertility needs, cannabis use or any medical conditions related to IVF or surrogacy.

How Long Before IVF Should I Stop Smoking Weed?

A solid rule of thumb is: women should stop smoking at least one full menstrual cycle before egg retrieval, while men should stop at least three months before sperm donation.

These timelines align with how long it takes for egg and sperm development to reset in the body.

If you’re unsure, always talk to your doctor. They’ll be able to guide you based on your health history and fertility goals.

Learn more about the Do’s and Don’ts before egg retrieval.

Can I smoke Weed After Egg Retrieval if we’re using a surrogate?

Yes, in most cases, once your eggs have been retrieved and fertilization has taken place, your direct role in the surrogacy medical process is complete.

If you’re not carrying the pregnancy yourself and you’re not continuing to produce embryos or undergoing a frozen embryo transfer, resuming cannabis use typically won’t affect the success of the pregnancy.

That said, you should still consult your fertility doctor before restarting weed. Some fertility plans involve follow-up medications or additional cycles, and being transparent about cannabis use ensures your providers can support you with full context.

Now, if your partner is donating sperm, or if you’re using your own embryos in the future, continuing abstinence may still be advised.

Weed and IVF Success: Does Marijuana Affect Embryo Creation?

In terms of embryo creation, potential effects of cannabis use on egg and sperm quality can compromise fertilization rates and embryo viability.

While not every user will experience poor embryo outcomes, reducing or eliminating cannabis use is one way to help ensure the healthiest possible starting point for embryo development.

The medical consensus remains: abstaining from smoking or ingesting weed gummies before IVF stimulation is more likely to help your chances of successful egg retrieval rather than hurt it.

Can Smoking Weed Affect Egg Quality?

Yes, cannabis use can potentially affect egg quality. THC may interfere with the endocrine system, leading to disrupted hormone levels that regulate ovulation.

Some studies suggest that chronic cannabis use could lead to fewer mature eggs retrieved during IVF. Additionally, THC may impact the microenvironment of the ovaries, potentially influencing the genetic stability and viability of eggs.

If egg quality is a concern in your IVF journey, discontinuing cannabis use early in your prep cycle is one of the best decisions you can make.

Learn more about what determines whether your eggs are mature enough for retrieval.

Does Smoking Weed Affect Sperm Quality?

Yes. Cannabis use has a well-documented impact on male fertility, particularly sperm quality. In men, THC can bind to receptors in the testes and affect the production of sperm leading to:

• Reduced sperm count
• Lower motility
• Abnormal sperm morphology (size and shape)

Some evidence also suggests that long-term use may lead to DNA fragmentation in sperm, which can compromise embryo development and reduce implantation rates.

Smoking, Vaping and Edibles During IVF Stimulation: Do They Impact Fertility Differently?

Hormone stimulation is a key phase in creating embryos for surrogacy. Smoking weed during IVF can interfere with these drugs and how your body responds.

If you’re undergoing stimulation, now is not the time to be using weed—even if you won’t be the one carrying the child. It doesn’t matter much if you smoke it, vape it or eat it—THC still interacts with your reproductive system.

If you’re considering using edibles during IVF thinking they’re safer, remember: the method of delivery doesn’t eliminate THC’s effects on egg and sperm quality.

It’s advised to wait until after you have successfully created embryos to resume cannabis use.

However, if you are undergoing traditional IVF, smoking adds the risk of lung stress and reduced oxygenation, which can be harmful during implantation or early pregnancy.

I’ve Abstained From Weed and IVF Still Isn’t Working: What’s Next?

For those pursuing traditional IVF, It can be incredibly frustrating to go through multiple rounds of IVF and still not achieve a successful pregnancy, especially if you’ve already taken every precaution, including long-term cannabis abstinence.

If you’ve quit weed and optimized your fertility treatment plan but still haven’t seen the results you hoped for, it may be time to consider surrogacy.

While marijuana can impact reproductive health, it’s not always the root cause of IVF failure. Issues like uterine receptivity, embryo quality or unexplained infertility can play a role.

Surrogacy offers an alternative path to parenthood when carrying a pregnancy yourself proves difficult. You can still use your own eggs and sperm (or embryos you’ve already created) and transfer them to a surrogate.

All of our surrogates are prescreened and must abstain from substances like cannabis, tobacco and alcohol.

If you’re in this position, we’re here to support you through the transition from IVF to surrogacy.

Your Next Move

Quitting cannabis before IVF may not be ideal, but it could make a difference. Talk with your doctor, explore your options and give your body the best chance to do what it’s designed to do.

If you’re in the process of creating embryos or have embryos from IVF and are considering surrogacy, we’re here to support you.

Fill out our quick form to begin the preliminary steps of the surrogacy journey. Once your embryos are ready, we can help match you with a trusted, qualified surrogate.