Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Your Fertility?

Alcohol consumption is a socially accepted norm in many cultures, often woven into celebrations, gatherings, and even moments of relaxation. However, when it comes to health, particularly fertility, its effects are often overlooked.

So, does drinking alcohol affect your fertility? It’s an important question, especially for individuals or couples who are trying (or wanting to at some point) to conceive.

Understanding the connection between alcohol and fertility is important for making informed decisions about lifestyle choices that may impact one’s chances of starting or expanding a family.

Alcohol and Female Fertility – What’s the Impact?

Hormonal Imbalances

Alcohol can interfere with the hormonal system and its ability to regulate healthy ovulation and the menstrual cycle.

Hormone balances are delicate. So, frequent consumption of alcohol, especially in excessive amounts, may disrupt the oestrogen and progesterone levels within this balance, which are essential for ovulation and maintaining a healthy uterine lining.

These disruptions can reduce the chances of conception.

Effects on Egg Quality

The quality of a woman’s eggs declines naturally with age. However, alcohol consumption may accelerate this process.

Research suggests that heavy drinking (and smoking) can lead to oxidative stress, which can damage the eggs and their DNA. Poor egg quality can not only reduce fertility but may also increase the risk of miscarriage or chromosome abnormalities.

Irregular Periods

Women who drink excessively are more likely to experience irregular menstrual cycles or even amenorrhea (when menstruation stops altogether).

Both of these conditions, of course, can make it more difficult to predict ovulation, thus reducing the chances of conception.

The Risk of Miscarriage

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is already widely recognised as harmful, but drinking before conception can also increase the risk of miscarriage.

For every week a woman consumes alcohol during pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage increases by as much as 8%. Recent research into this subject has also shown strong evidence to suggest that women who consume moderate to high levels of alcohol may face a higher likelihood of losing a pregnancy compared to those who abstain. Because of this, some experts recommend completely stopping drinking for an entire year before conception.

Alcohol and Fertility in Males – Is There an Impact?

When we think of alcohol and fertility, we tend to associate it with concerns involving women. This may be because they will be the ones to carry the unborn child, but actually, men are not immune from the adverse effects of alcohol either.

Sperm Quality

For men, alcohol consumption can have a direct impact on sperm quality. Chronic drinking has been linked to reduced sperm count, impaired sperm motility (movement), and abnormal sperm morphology (shape). These factors can significantly lower the likelihood of fertilising an egg.

Hormone Disruptions

Alcohol affects testosterone production, which is responsible for sperm production and male sexual health.

After 30 minutes of drinking an alcoholic beverage, testosterone levels will start to drop. Over the long term, this will stop being a short-term problem and become more of a significant issue if alcohol consumption is excessive.

So, chronic alcohol use can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels and an increase in oestrogen levels, creating an imbalance that negatively impacts sperm production and overall fertility. This leads us to our next point…

Erectile Dysfunction

Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to erectile dysfunction, which can impact a couple’s ability to conceive.

A study that looked into the topic of alcohol and sexual dysfunction revealed that:

• 77% of people who took part had issues with sexual dysfunction, whether they had a loss in libido or issues with maintaining an erection.
• Erectile dysfunction was a key issue amongst almost half (43.6%) of people who took part in the research study.
• All people who took part in this study drank alcohol to what would be considered excessive amounts.

Occasional drinking is unlikely to have a long-term effect, but chronic heavy drinking can. It can damage the nerves and blood vessels required for achieving and maintaining an erection.

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

Understanding what is considered to be “too much” alcohol is so important when evaluating its impact on fertility. However, the information online is confusing and somewhat inconclusive. So, let’s have a look at what we can confirm.

The UK government advises that adults should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week. That’s roughly six pints of average-strength beer or ten small glasses of wine. However, even moderate drinking has been shown to affect fertility in some cases.

For women trying to conceive, experts often recommend abstaining from alcohol entirely. This is because even light drinking can reduce the chances of conception and increase the risk of miscarriage.

For men, reducing alcohol intake to below the recommended weekly limit can improve sperm quality and overall reproductive health, so it’s worth doing so.

Alcohol and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

For couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, alcohol consumption can further complicate matters.

Studies indicate that women who consume alcohol during IVF cycles may experience lower success rates. Men who drink heavily can negatively impact the quality of the embryos, as poor sperm quality can affect the development of a fertilised egg.

Given the significant financial and emotional investment involved in ART, avoiding alcohol entirely during this time is often advised to maximise the chances of success.

Alcohol and Fertility – What Are the Key Benefits of Reducing or Eliminating Alcohol?

For people who are trying to conceive, reducing or eliminating alcohol can have significant benefits:

• Improved hormonal balance: Cutting out alcohol can stabilise hormonal levels, improving ovulation and sperm production.
• Better egg and sperm quality: Reduced alcohol intake lowers oxidative stress, which can improve the health of eggs and sperm.
• Increased success rates in ART: For those undergoing fertility treatments, such as IVF, abstaining from alcohol can enhance the likelihood of success.
• Healthier pregnancy: Eliminating alcohol before conception reduces the risk of complications and sets the stage for a healthier pregnancy.

For some, reducing or eliminating alcohol may be easier said than done. This is particularly true if they have developed a dependency. In such cases, seeking professional help is essential.

Treatment options will vary and are very person-dependent. However, they’ll typically include therapy, support groups, and medical interventions. Many organisations in the UK specialise in helping individuals reduce or quit alcohol consumption, and seeking support not only benefits your fertility but also improves your overall physical and mental health.

Worried About Your Relationship With Alcohol? Reach Out Today

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol consumption and its impact on fertility, we are here to help.

At Action Rehab, we specialise in connecting individuals with the support they need to overcome alcohol dependency. Whether you’re trying to conceive or simply looking to improve your life, our services are completely free, and our team can guide you toward the right resources and treatment options.

Contact us today for confidential advice and support.

Posted on Friday, January 24th, 2025 at 3:20 pm in Latest News.