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Alcohol is commonly consumed in social, cultural or personal settings. While it may be alright to drink alcohol occasionally and in moderate quantities, long-term usage has a lot of negative impacts on your fertility and overall well-being.
Understanding The Impact of Alcohol on Fertility and Why It Matters
Many individuals and couples struggle with infertility. Infertility can sometimes be explained and sometimes remains unexplained. Several factors, such as lifestyle, age, environment or alcohol and drug usage can lead to infertility. Long-term use of alcohol can impact not just your reproductive health, but your overall well-being as well. This is why it is important to be mindful of the amount of alcohol you consume. It is alright to consume moderate amounts socially, however, drinking frequently is bad for your health in general and can cause a multitude of physical issues.Impact of Alcohol on Female Fertility
- Disrupted ovulation and menstrual cycle: Overconsumption of alcohol can lead to unpredictable ovulation, making it difficult to predict fertile days. Additionally, heavy drinking can cause irregular periods and even missed periods.
- Hormonal imbalances: Heavy drinking is associated with hormonal imbalances. It can lead to fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone levels, disrupting ovulation. It can also cause imbalances in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), both of which are important for egg release and implantation.
- Decreased ovarian reserve and egg quality: Excessive consumption of alcohol and binge drinking have been linked to poorer egg quality and reduced ovarian reserve, making fertilisation challenging. Alcohol also speeds up ovarian ageing, leading to a faster decline in egg quality and quantity.
- Increased chances of infertility: Several studies have indicated that women who drink regularly, may have trouble conceiving or struggle with infertility.
Impact of Alcohol on Male Fertility
- Decrease in sperm production and motility: Alcohol consumption can hamper sperm production, reducing sperm count. It also affects sperm’s ability to swim towards the egg (motility). This makes fertilisation challenging.
- Disruptions in hormonal balance and testosterone levels: Alcohol consumption can hamper testosterone levels in men, reducing their libido. Additionally, alcohol can increase oestrogen levels in men, which can further hamper sperm production.
- Oxidative stress and DNA damage in sperm: Alcohol can cause oxidative stress in the body, which leads to DNA fragmentation in sperm. DNA damage in sperm is linked to failed pregnancies and miscarriages.
- Permanent damage: Long-term alcohol usage can cause permanent damage to a man’s fertility by shrinking the testicles or causing erectile dysfunction.
Impact of Alcohol on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
Alcohol usage can not only hamper natural fertility but can also make it difficult to conceive through assisted reproductive technologies.- Impact on In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): Increased alcohol consumption can decrease the success rates of IVF and other fertility treatments. Additionally, women who drink alcohol frequently may have fewer viable eggs in the egg retrieval process.
- Risks for couples undergoing fertility treatments: While excessive alcohol intake is harmful, even moderate amounts of alcohol consumption can reduce the chances of egg implantation. Men who drink can contribute to abnormal embryo development, leading to unsuccessful treatment cycles.
- Recommendations: Couples undergoing ART treatments are advised to abstain from alcohol altogether. Abstaining from alcohol completely can improve sperm and egg quality.
Binge Drinking Vs Moderate Drinking
Is there a safe amount of alcohol you can consume? Alcohol consumption is not encouraged, however, small amounts are often considered less harmful.- Binge drinking: Binge drinking refers to the consumption of large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. It can cause sudden hormonal imbalances and hamper the quality of eggs and sperm. It can also disrupt ovulation and sperm production.
- Moderate drinking: Moderate drinking can mean consuming one drink per day for women, and two for men. This can still impact fertility. Research suggests that even small amounts of alcohol intake can affect implantation and early pregnancy.
- Light drinking: There isn’t enough data to back up what could be considered light or safe drinking. Alcohol affects each individual differently, which is why it is best to minimise or eliminate it completely if you are planning to conceive.
Impact of Alcohol on Early Pregnancy
- Drinking before realising you are pregnant: A lot of women end up drinking before they even realise they are pregnant. However, if you suspect you could be pregnant, or have been trying, it is best to stop drinking alcohol since early alcohol exposure can increase the risk of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) or birth defects.
- Alcohol in the first trimester: If you know you are pregnant, there is no amount of alcohol that can be considered safe. Alcohol consumption in the first trimester can cause birth defects and foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
- Why it is important to abstain: If you are trying to conceive, it is best to abstain from alcohol entirely. Eliminating alcohol usage before conception can improve foetal health and reduce the chances of pregnancy complications.
Lifestyle Changes That Improve Fertility
While alcohol hampers fertility and both partners should eliminate it before trying to conceive, alcohol consumption is not the only factor associated with fertility. There are several other lifestyle factors you must consider if you want to get pregnant.- Fertility-friendly diet: Consuming nutrient-rich foods can improve your fertility. Add foods like leafy green vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins into your diet. You should also add fruits high in antioxidants to combat oxidative stress.
- Exercise and stress management: Regular exercise is beneficial for balancing hormones and enhancing fertility. Exercise can also help with stress management.
- Healthier alternatives to alcohol: You can drink juices, flavoured waters or even kombucha instead of alcohol.
When To Seek Medical Help
Most reproductive health experts recommend eliminating alcohol before attempting to conceive. However, if conception is taking longer than expected, despite eliminating alcohol and making lifestyle changes, it would be best to contact a fertility specialist. Sometimes, fertility can be challenging. The best thing to do is make all the necessary lifestyle changes and abstain from harmful substances like alcohol.FAQs on Alcohol and Fertility: How Drinking Can Impact Your Chances of Getting Pregnant
- How much alcohol is too much alcohol if I am trying to conceive?Any amount of alcohol can hamper your fertility and chances of conceiving, but over consumption is particularly harmful. If you find yourself drinking more than 2-3 glasses of alcohol in a day, that can possibly count as too much alcohol.
- What other lifestyle changes can help me conceive faster?Other than limiting alcohol consumption, you could quit smoking, limit caffeine consumption, regulate your sleep cycle and maintain a healthy diet to conceive faster.