Answer to your Question

Answered By: Addiction Specialist

Answer: At least one study has shown that cocaine can bind to sperm and may enter the egg during fertilization. That being said, there have been no studies showing a link between cocaine use by the father and birth defects. The mechanisms by which cocaine causes problems for the fetus when used by the mother would not happen with the small amount of cocaine that could attach to a single sperm. Cocaine likely causes damage to a developing fetus by constricting blood vessels and interacting with neurons, neither of which exist yet at the time of conception (when the sperm enters the egg). Be sure to get good prenatal care and bring up any concerns with your doctor.

Answered on: August 10, 2009