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Does alcohol affect fertility?
If you are trying to get pregnant or are considering having children in the future, you’ve likely been advised to avoid alcohol or at least reduce your intake.
While drinking small amounts of alcohol isn’t likely to cause significant issues, heavy consumption can negatively influence your fertility journey. So, understanding these effects is crucial, especially if you are trying to conceive.
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How does alcohol affect female fertility?
Heavy consumption can significantly impact the metabolic function of both eggs and sperm. For women, drinking can disrupt hormone imbalance and impact ovulation.
It may increase oestrogen levels, which can disturb the implantation of the embryo in the uterine lining, making conception more difficult.
Women who drink heavily may experience irregular or absent menstrual cycles. This would make it more difficult to predict ovulation and subsequently reduce the likelihood of pregnancy.
Additionally, alcohol can impair egg quality. Research indicates that heavy drinking may lead to oxidative stress, damaging cells and ovarian follicles, thereby reducing egg quality and decreasing the chances of successful fertilisation.
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How does alcohol affect male fertility?
Alcohol consumption can also negatively impact male fertility, especially when trying to conceive. Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels, which are vital for sperm production. It can reduce sperm count, impair sperm shape and affect sperm movement, all of which impact the ability to fertilise an egg.
Moreover, excessive alcohol consumption can damage the testes, making it more difficult to produce viable sperm and affecting libido, performance and ejaculation. Long-term heavy drinking may affect sperm production, referred to as spermatogenesis, and may even lead to DNA damage in sperm.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend that women who are trying to conceive should limit their alcohol intake to no more than one to two units of alcohol, once or twice per week. For men, the recommendation is a maximum of three to four units per day.
Overall, if you can, it is best to avoid alcohol or, at the very least, cut down to two to four units a week. It is important to understand that small amounts of alcohol are unlikely to be detrimental to your fertility.
How does alcohol affect your pregnancy?
When it comes to pregnancy, alcohol consumption poses several risks, including foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Children exposed to alcohol before birth may face physical, behavioural and learning issues that can occur before birth. Drinking during pregnancy also increases the likelihood of physical abnormalities, including heart defects and growth issues, as well as neurological complications.
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Does alcohol cause infertility?
Alcohol can be a factor that can cause infertility issues, as it affects both sperm and egg quality, while hindering hormone levels. However, it is important to understand that alcohol is just one aspect of the fertility puzzle. Other factors, including age, lifestyle choices and underlying medical conditions, can also contribute to infertility issues.
Rest assured, we will discuss in detail all the possible causes impacting your fertility and find the right treatment to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Can alcohol affect IVF treatment?
Alcohol can negatively impact the outcome of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other fertility treatments, as it may compromise the quality of both eggs and sperm. While research in this sector is ongoing, it is advisable for both partners to avoid alcohol to maximise their chances of conception through fertility treatment.
If you have any concerns about alcohol and fertility or alcohol dependency, charities like Tommy’s are a helpful resource. Or if you have any questions about fertility treatments, contact your doctor or fertility clinic. They will offer the guidance you need to assist you on your fertility journey.
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Reviewed by Dr Candice Cheung Fertility Specialist at TFP Oxford Fertility.
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