Skip to main content

Does Alcohol Affect Fertility?

|

When you’ve been trying to get pregnant without success for a while, you may want to consider what lifestyle factors could be having an impact on your fertility or your partner’s fertility. For example, being overweight or underweight can disrupt hormone levels, and smoking can prematurely age your ovaries. 

You may have heard that drinking while pregnant can cause problems for an unborn child, and many couples also wonder whether drinking could make it harder to conceive in the first place. Does alcohol affect fertility?

Alcohol and Female Fertility

Some studies have shown that the more alcohol you consume, the more difficult it can be to get pregnant. Habitual drinking can cause irregular periods, and this can make it harder to tell when you’re ovulating. Knowing when you’re ovulating may help increase your chance of getting pregnant since this is the time when you’re the most fertile.

Alcohol can affect the number and quality of eggs that are produced and can also make it more difficult for an embryo to implant. This can reduce the chances of successfully getting pregnant or carrying a child to term.

Women who only drink occasionally and in small amounts may feel that they don’t consume enough alcohol to cause a problem. However, for anyone who is having difficulty getting pregnant, it’s important to keep in mind that the amount of alcohol it takes to interfere with reproductive function is unknown. Therefore, it makes sense to avoid alcohol altogether when you’re trying to conceive.

If you do get pregnant, drinking at any stage of pregnancy can harm the baby. Women who don’t limit the amount they drink may cause problems for an embryo before they’re even aware that they’re pregnant.

Alcohol and Male Fertility

Male fertility can also be negatively impacted by consuming alcohol. Men who drink only occasionally may not be impacted by alcohol, but the more alcohol that’s consumed, the better chance that alcohol may have an impact on a man’s overall health and fertility.

Heavy drinking can lower the production of testosterone and can also reduce a man’s interest in sex. It may be harder to get or maintain an erection. Men who drink regularly may experience reduced semen volume and decreased sperm count and sperm quality. Consuming two to four drinks a day is considered heavy drinking. 

Some research has shown that both men and women who are undergoing fertility treatment and are having about five drinks a week are less likely to have a successful pregnancy and birth. Because of the possible impact of alcohol on fertility and pregnancy, it’s best to stop drinking when you’re trying to conceive or if you’re undergoing fertility treatment so that you give yourself the best possible chance of getting pregnant.

If you’re struggling to get pregnant, the team at The Center for Reproductive Health is always available to discuss what options are available to you and what lifestyle changes might make a difference. Don’t hesitate to call with any questions you may have or to set up a consultation.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
Read More

FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

You May Also Like