Guam

[palmspringsbum]

Dear Dr. Shieh

By Dr. Thomas Shieh
For Pacific Daily News
March 17, 2008<blockquote><i>Editor's note: "Dear Dr. Shieh" is the result of a partnership between the Pacific Daily News and Dr. Thomas Shieh, an obstetrician and a longtime proponent of health and education programs for Guam's youths. If you have a question you would like answered</i>, e-mail: life@guampdn.com.</blockquote><span class=postbigbold>Dear Dr. Shieh,

Does marijuana usage decrease your sperm count? -- J </span>

Dear J,

YES. Smoking marijuana can decrease sperm count.

Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is a drug that has severe negative consequences. The Surgeon General of the United States has warned about the overall known or suspected chronic effects of marijuana. They are:

• Short-term memory impairment and slowness of learning;
  
• Impaired lung function similar to that found in cigarette smokers. Indications are that more serious effects, such as cancer and other lung disease, follow extended use;
  
• Decreased sperm count and sperm motility;
  
• Interference with ovulation and prenatal development;
  
• Impaired immune response;
  
• Possible adverse effects on heart function; and
  
• By-products of marijuana remaining in body fat for several weeks, with unknown consequences. The storage of these by-products increases the possibilities for chronic, as well as residual, effects on performance, even after the acute reaction to the drug has worn off. Of special concern are the long-term developmental effects in children and adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to the drug's behavioral and psychological effects.

With regards to the benefits of the medical use of marijuana for patients suffering from certain diseases, I would prefer to see the extracts of marijuana in a pill form instead of it's being inhaled, so better clinical studies can be conducted. This way, we can more accurately control dosage as with other controlled substances in treating patients.

The American Medical Association has called for further adequate and well-controlled studies of marijuana so that we can understand its application and treatment of disease. Until this has been adequately done, I would not recommend its use.

In the meantime, developing research also reveals that smoking marijuana can cause erectile dysfunction in men. So, not only can marijuana decrease your sperm count, it can be harmful to your sex life.

<i>Dr. Thomas Shieh is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecologists, and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.</i>