CBD and fertility is an area where science is still developing. We do not currently have enough high-quality human evidence to say that CBD causes infertility, or that it improves fertility. Research involving cannabis, particularly THC, has raised questions about sperm quality, reproductive hormones, ovulation, and the ability to conceive, but results across human studies have been inconsistent. CBD should also be considered separately from THC because the two cannabinoids have different biological effects.

If you are actively trying to conceive, my recommendation is simple: don't assume that CBD or cannabis is automatically safe just because it is natural. Discuss your cannabinoid use with your healthcare provider, particularly if you or your partner are undergoing fertility evaluation or treatment.

Why I'm Talking About CBD and Fertility Again

If you're thinking about starting a family, you probably spend a lot more time thinking about what goes into your body.

You may reconsider alcohol. You may change your diet. You may start taking vitamins, improve your sleep, exercise differently, or pay closer attention to medications and supplements.

But there's another question that I'm hearing more often:

What about CBD and cannabis?

Can they affect sperm? Could cannabis interfere with ovulation? Should you stop using CBD when you're trying to conceive? And does it matter whether you're using THC, CBD, or both?

These are important questions, and I've actually been part of this conversation for years.

I was previously asked to provide my medical perspective for High Times in an article examining how cannabis may impact fertility. In that discussion, I explained that some of the available research raised concerns about cannabis consumption and sperm count, concentration, function, and morphology.

But science doesn't stand still.

Since that article was published, researchers have continued studying cannabinoids and reproductive health. A major 2024 committee opinion from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine on marijuana and infertility concluded that marijuana use has not been consistently associated with male or female fertility, time to pregnancy, reproductive hormones, semen parameters, or assisted reproductive technology outcomes. At the same time, ASRM emphasizes that the evidence remains incomplete and conflicting.

A more recent 2025 scientific review of cannabinoids and reproductive function reached a similarly cautious conclusion. Researchers found that important questions remain about preconception cannabinoid exposure, male and female reproductive function, pregnancy, route of administration, and, particularly important for this discussion—the different effects of THC versus CBD.

That's why I don't think this conversation should be reduced to:

"Cannabis causes infertility."

Nor should we say:

"CBD is natural, so there's nothing to worry about."

Neither statement accurately represents what we currently know.

As a physician working in cannabinoid medicine, I believe the more responsible question is:

What does the evidence tell us, what don't we know yet, and how should that information affect your decisions when you're planning a family?

That's what we're going to explore.

Pearls

• Cannabis and fertility research is not settled. Human studies have produced conflicting results, making absolute claims about fertility inappropriate.
• CBD and THC should not automatically be treated as the same substance in fertility research because they have different pharmacological properties and may affect reproductive biology differently.

CBD, THC and Fertility: First, Understand the Difference

Before discussing fertility, we need to separate three terms that are often incorrectly used interchangeably:

Cannabis. THC. CBD.

Cannabis contains numerous biologically active compounds called cannabinoids. The two most familiar are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC is primarily responsible for the intoxicating effects commonly associated with marijuana.

CBD does not produce the same intoxicating "high," but that doesn't mean CBD is biologically inactive. CBD interacts with several signaling systems throughout the body and can influence cannabinoid signaling indirectly.

If you want a deeper explanation of how cannabinoids interact with the body, I recommend reading my guide to the endocannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, helps regulate numerous physiological processes. Importantly for this conversation, components of cannabinoid signaling are also present throughout the reproductive system.

That's one reason scientists are interested in cannabis and fertility in the first place.

Cannabinoid receptors and related signaling mechanisms have been identified in reproductive tissues and are involved in processes related to sperm, ovarian function, fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy. A comprehensive 2025 review in the journal Reproduction examined evidence from 2014 through 2024 and concluded that cannabinoid exposure around conception deserves substantially more investigation.

This doesn't mean that activating the endocannabinoid system with cannabis automatically causes reproductive problems.

Biology isn't that simple.

It does mean that cannabinoids interact with systems that matter to reproduction, making the question scientifically plausible and worth studying.

THC and CBD May Not Affect Fertility the Same Way

This distinction is becoming particularly interesting.

A 2025 review specifically examining THC, CBD and male fertility found accumulating evidence associating THC with changes in sperm quality, reproductive hormones, and genetic or epigenetic characteristics of sperm. Interestingly, the researchers also discussed emerging experimental evidence suggesting that CBD could potentially exert different effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

That does not mean CBD has been proven to improve male fertility.

It hasn't.

Much of the CBD-specific reproductive evidence remains preclinical, and the authors themselves identify the need for further research. That's an important distinction between an interesting biological hypothesis and something I would recommend clinically.

When discussing CBD and fertility, we need to resist the temptation to turn preliminary research into a treatment recommendation.

For readers who are newer to cannabidiol, my CBD wellness guide provides a broader introduction to CBD, cannabinoid formulations, and how these products interact with the body.

Pearls

• CBD is non-intoxicating, but "non-intoxicating" does not mean biologically inactive or automatically safe during every stage of reproductive life.
• Emerging research suggests THC and CBD may have different effects on male reproductive biology, but there is not enough human evidence to recommend CBD as a fertility treatment.

What Is Infertility and When Should You Be Concerned?

Before we go further into CBD and fertility, we need to define fertility itself.

Infertility is generally defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. However, age changes how quickly I would recommend seeking medical evaluation.

For women younger than 35, fertility evaluation is generally considered after 12 months of trying without pregnancy. For women 35 and older, evaluation is commonly recommended after approximately six months, because fertility declines more rapidly with advancing reproductive age.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine's guidance on optimizing natural fertility emphasizes that female age is one of the strongest predictors of fertility and notes that pregnancy and live-birth rates decline significantly after age 35.

But infertility is not simply a women's health problem.

Both partners matter.

Male fertility problems can involve sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, morphology, hormone abnormalities, reproductive tract obstruction, ejaculation problems, genetic factors, or combinations of these.

Female infertility can involve problems with ovulation, ovarian reserve, fallopian tubes, the uterus, endometriosis, hormonal conditions, age-related changes, or other reproductive disorders.

Sometimes both partners contribute.

And sometimes testing doesn't reveal an obvious cause at all.

What Does Infertility Feel Like?

This surprises many people:

Infertility frequently has no obvious symptoms.

You don't necessarily feel sick.

A man can exercise regularly, have normal sexual function, feel completely healthy, and still have abnormal sperm parameters.

A woman may have regular menstrual cycles and still experience a fertility problem involving ovarian reserve, fallopian tubes, implantation, endometriosis, or another reproductive factor.

For some women, however, there may be clues such as:

• Irregular or absent menstrual periods
• Very painful periods
• Pelvic pain
• Abnormal bleeding
• Symptoms associated with hormonal disorders
• Difficulty predicting ovulation

This is one reason I don't want people trying to self-treat fertility problems with CBD, cannabis, supplements, or anything else before understanding why conception isn't occurring.

CBD may be useful in a person's broader wellness routine, but CBD is not an established treatment for infertility.

Pearls

• Infertility often has no symptoms other than difficulty becoming pregnant, which is why feeling healthy doesn't necessarily tell us whether reproductive function is normal.
• Fertility is a couple's health issue. Evaluating both partners can prevent months of focusing on only one possible source of the problem.

Fertility Testing, Treatment and Where Holistic Wellness Fits

If you've been trying to conceive without success, it's very easy to start looking for the one thing you're doing wrong.

Maybe it's stress.

Maybe it's your diet.

Maybe you need a supplement.

Maybe you should stop drinking coffee.

Maybe that CBD gummy you take at night is the problem.

I understand the instinct. When something as personal as starting a family isn't happening according to plan, we naturally start searching for answers.

But before blaming one product, or buying another, I want you to do something much more useful:

Find out what is actually happening.

How Do You Know If You Have a Fertility Problem?

Infertility usually doesn't announce itself with one obvious symptom.

For many couples, the first sign is simply that pregnancy isn't happening.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine generally recommends beginning an infertility evaluation after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse when the female partner is younger than 35, and after about 6 months when she is 35 or older. Evaluation may begin sooner when there are known medical conditions or other reasons for concern.

And I want to emphasize something:

Both partners should be part of the conversation.

A fertility evaluation isn't just about checking a woman's ovaries while the man waits in the lobby.

Male factors contribute substantially to infertility, and a semen analysis can provide valuable information about sperm concentration, motility, morphology and other characteristics.

For women, testing may involve menstrual and medical history, evaluation of ovulation, hormone testing, ovarian reserve assessment, pelvic ultrasound and examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Depending on the circumstances, additional genetic, endocrine, infectious-disease or anatomical testing may be appropriate.

The World Health Organization's infertility guidance also emphasizes that infertility can arise from male factors, female factors, combinations of both, or sometimes remain unexplained even after evaluation.

That last category can be especially frustrating.

But "unexplained" doesn't mean imaginary.

It means our current testing hasn't identified a clear cause.

And that's very different from assuming CBD, stress, diet, or another single lifestyle factor must be responsible.

Pearls

• Fertility problems often have no obvious physical symptoms. Testing can uncover reproductive issues in people who otherwise feel completely healthy.
• A fertility evaluation should consider both partners. Starting with only one person can delay identifying an important, and sometimes treatable factor.

What Happens If Testing Finds a Problem?

This is where fertility medicine becomes highly individualized.

There's no single treatment called "fertility treatment."

If someone isn't ovulating regularly, the approach may involve medication designed to stimulate or regulate ovulation.

If there's an anatomical problem involving the uterus or reproductive tract, surgery may sometimes be appropriate.

If sperm production or delivery is impaired, treatment may involve medication, surgery, lifestyle modification, assisted reproductive techniques, or combinations of these.

And then there are treatments you've probably heard about:

IUI and IVF.

With intrauterine insemination (IUI), prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.

With in vitro fertilization (IVF), eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized outside the body, and resulting embryos may then be transferred into the uterus. IVF has transformed reproductive medicine, but it isn't a guaranteed pregnancy.

Success varies considerably according to factors such as age, diagnosis, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, embryo characteristics, prior pregnancy history and the specific treatment being used.

The CDC's Assisted Reproductive Technology resources provide national information about fertility treatment and IVF outcomes in the United States.

The Benefits of Traditional Fertility Treatment

The biggest advantage is that treatment can be directed toward an identifiable problem.If you're not ovulating, we can investigate why. If sperm parameters are abnormal, we can evaluate possible causes. If a fallopian tube is blocked, no amount of meditation, CBD, or supplements will physically reopen that tube. That's where evidence-based medicine matters.

The Downsides Are Real Too

Fertility treatment can be expensive. It can require repeated blood tests, injections, ultrasounds, procedures and appointments. Medications may cause side effects. And emotionally? It can be exhausting.

The World Health Organization has specifically highlighted the financial burden and unequal access associated with fertility care worldwide.

This is one reason I think holistic wellness deserves a place in the fertility conversation.

Not as a substitute for reproductive medicine, but as support for the human being going through it.

Pearls

• The best fertility treatment depends on why pregnancy isn't occurring; there is no single treatment that is appropriate for every couple.
• Fertility care has an emotional and financial impact as well as a medical one, which is why supporting mental and physical wellness throughout treatment matters.

Rolling It All Up

So, can CBD affect fertility?

The most accurate answer today is:

It might, but we don't yet understand exactly how much, at what doses, or under which circumstances.

Cannabis research has raised legitimate questions about sperm quality, reproductive hormones, ovulation and the probability of conception. At the same time, human studies have produced conflicting results, and the research on CBD specifically is far thinner than the research on THC-containing cannabis.

If you and your partner are thinking about starting a family, use the preconception period as an opportunity to look at everything you're putting into your bodies: cannabis, CBD, alcohol, nicotine, prescription medications, supplements, sleep aids and even the seemingly harmless products sitting in your medicine cabinet.

If you're already struggling to conceive, get evaluated rather than trying to solve the problem yourself with supplements.

And if cannabinoids are currently helping you manage a medical condition, don't abruptly stop an effective treatment based on something you read online. Talk with the healthcare professional managing your care and discuss your reproductive plans.

Once pregnancy occurs, the recommendation becomes much clearer: current FDA and obstetric guidance advises avoiding CBD and cannabis during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you'd like to continue learning about CBD, cannabis, sleep, pain, intimacy, women's health, men's health and the endocannabinoid system, I invite you to explore the Dr. Damas Knowledge Center. My goal is to give you physician-written information that helps you understand the science before making decisions about your health.

To learn more about my background, research and philosophy of care, visit About Dr. Hervé Damas.

To learn more about our approach to cannabinoid education and holistic wellness, visit About Us.

If you have questions about CBD, medical cannabis or how cannabinoids may fit into your wellness routine, my team and I are happy to hear from you. You can reach us through our Contact Us page.

For adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding and whose healthcare professional has not advised them to avoid cannabinoids while trying to conceive, you can explore the physician-developed CBD collection at DrDamas.com. I believe cannabinoid products should be approached with the same principles I apply to medicine: quality, consistency, transparency and education, not hype.

And if you know someone who's trying to start a family and still using CBD or cannabis, share this article with them.

Not to scare them.

To start a conversation.

Because when you're making decisions that may affect both your health and the health of the family you're hoping to create, being informed is one of the best places to start.

Pearls

• Trying to conceive is an ideal time for both partners to review cannabis, CBD, medications, supplements and lifestyle, not because one factor necessarily determines fertility, but because reproductive health is influenced by the whole picture.
• Good cannabinoid medicine isn't about being “for” or “against” cannabis. It's about understanding the evidence, acknowledging what we don't know, and helping people make informed decisions at the right stage of life.