Cork-founded firm Hertility sheds light on the impacts of vaping on fertility
Helen and Deirdre O’Neill, Cork-born twin sisters and co-founders of biotechnology research company Hertility.
Fertility health company Hertility, founded by Cork-born twin sisters, has taken aim at the vaping industry in its new report.
Hertility’s found that the fertility outcomes for those who vape are similar to those who smoke.
“Our initial findings show vaping also influences ovarian ageing,” the report said.
The report analysed the medical history data and blood serum levels of ovarian reserve markers, such as Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), in 8,340 Hertility users and found that lower AMH values were recorded in smokers and vapers in all age groups.
“Our all-female research team has conducted invaluable research on this unparalleled, anonymised dataset to uncover four ‘ReProductive Revelations’ which each spotlight a gap where the current healthcare system is letting women down,” said Dr Helen O’Neill CEO and co-founder of Hertility in the report.
The research on vaping falls under the third section of the report discussing advice on vices in the preconception stage of the fertility journey.
The report analyses the link between mental health and menstrual health as well as guidelines around menopause.
The report comes at a time when the vaping industry is facing growing popularity but also regulators continue to clamp down on misuse.
In 2024, the revenue in the E-Cigarettes market in Ireland is projected to reach approximately €116m, according to statistics platform Statista, as more smokers turn to vaping as a healthier alternative and the various colours and flavours may hit younger customers.
“Vapes are even termed a “smoking cessation device”, but the reality is far from this.
"Given the increase in vaping behaviours as an alternative to smoking, especially amongst younger people, we set out to understand the impact once and for all,” the Hertility report said.
After 15 years of researching women’s health, Dr O’Neill, a lecturer in reproductive science and molecular genetics decided to create Hertility with her identical twin sister Deirdre O’Neill, a venture capital lawyer, and Dr Natalie Getreu, an ovarian biologist, to make reproductive and fertility care accessible to as many people as possible with at-home testing, treatment and aftercare.
The company launched in the British market and expanded into Ireland last year.
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