If you have been trying to conceive but to no avail, itโs only natural to look for ways to improve your chances of getting pregnant. Perhaps your fertility doctor has advised that you adopt a healthier lifestyle or any treatment procedure to overcome infertility. Or maybe you have checked online and found a lot of suggestions regarding fertility in women and male infertility factors. These resources have told you what you can do to raise your chances of conception.
Whether you have sought advice from a fertility doctor or carried out your own research, itโs important to know that many of the information out there is inaccurate โ and can be confusing.
One question we often get asked by hopeful couples is whether or not it is okay to drink when trying to get pregnant.
There is plenty of information around about alcohol, sex, and pregnancy โ some true, some false. So, how does alcohol intake affect the ability to get pregnant? Is it still possible for you to become pregnant if you occasionally take beer or a glass of wine?
Does Alcohol Impact Male Infertility?
Male infertility accounts for around 20 to 30 percent fertility issues which may prompt seeking treatment options. This is why your doctor might have suggested that you and your spouse both go for fertility testing. In certain cases, male infertility may be due to a medical condition. However, alcohol is known to affect an otherwise healthy male reproductive system.
Studies have shown that alcohol affects the male reproductive system. It particularly interferes with testosterone production and the ability to produce healthy, mature sperm that can fertilize an egg. That means that drinking alcohol โespecially in larger amounts โ reduces a manโs ability to produce healthy, viable sperm that can get the job done.
Moreover, drinking large quantities of alcohol can also lead to other infertility factors. For example, erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation, and a lack of libido.
How Does Drinking Affect Fertility in Woman?
A study published in BMJ Open examined the drinking habits of more than 6000 women. All of these women were trying to become pregnant. These women were told to fill questionnaires about their alcohol intake and other lifestyle factors during their fertility journey.
The researchers discovered that women who drank alcohol in moderate quantities โ one to 13 four-ounce servings a week โ did not show any signs that the alcohol affected their ability to get pregnant.
However, it revealed that women who took larger quantities of alcohol were 18 percent less likely to conceive compared to those who abstain completely. Moreover, the kind of alcohol taken by either group does not seem to have any effect.
So what does this imply?
It means that drinking moderate quantities of alcohol doesnโt impact fertility in women. However, some studies have found that alcohol consumption can affect other things, such as weight and sexual function.
These, may contribute to the causes of infertility and reduce a womanโs ability to get pregnant. In such cases, it is possible that infertility treatment would be required.
Should I Abstain from Alcohol Completely?
Scientists and fertility doctors are still studying the impact of alcohol on both female and male reproductive systems and its role in infertility.
There are many things we still donโt know about the effects of alcohol on the ability to conceive.
Alcohol may not be the sole reason youโve been unable to get pregnant. But still, itโs evident that drinking large amounts of alcohol can significantly lower your chances of conception.
Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle
If youโre trying to figure out why youโve not been able to conceive, a fertility doctor may suggest that you and your partner evaluate some lifestyle choices that can affect your fertility.
Reducing your alcohol intake or abstaining completely can be a big part of adopting a healthier lifestyle. Here is why.
1. Weight
Alcohol has its own calories โ and not the healthy calories that the body can use as fuel. It contains โempty caloriesโ that have little to no nutritional value in the body.
If you regularly take alcohol, especially large amounts of it, you are taking a lot of additional calories your body is not eliminating. That puts you more at risk of gaining extra weight.
Excess weight can affect a womanโs ability to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy. Also, obesity can have a negative impact on a manโs sperm count and lead to infertility.
If you are trying to lose weight, lowering or cutting out alcohol from your diet is a good point to start. Eliminating those extra calories will help a great deal in achieving and keeping a healthy weight. This may significantly increase your chances of getting pregnant.
2. Diet
Research has shown that alcohol slows down metabolism, preventing the body from getting the nutrients it requires to function properly โ including folic acid, which is needed for a healthy pregnancy.
When you completely remove alcohol from your diet, your body will be able to efficiently absorb the nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy.
3. Exercise
Based on the amount you take, alcohol can affect your ability to exercise properly. It can also affect your bodyโs ability to recover from exercise.
If you are working out to have a healthy weight and body, then stay away from alcohol. Go for healthy food and beverages before and after exercise.
4. Sex
Moderate alcohol intake doesnโt seem to affect a manโs or womanโs ability to perform sexually. However, too much drinking can impact your sexual function, lowering your chances of conception.
When you stay away from alcohol, you get rid of one of the factors that can be contributing to fewer opportunities to conceive.
Alcohol and Infertility
The bottom line is: alcohol intake by itself may not be the reason for infertility or why you havenโt conceived yet.
A few sips of champagne on your best friendโs birthday or a glass of wine wonโt ruin your chances of getting pregnant. However, if you or your significant other regularly take large amounts of alcohol, you might be lowering your chances of becoming pregnant.
As you embark on the journey to building your family, now is the time to lower โ or even quit alcohol altogether. Itโs good to make healthy lifestyle choices, do exercise, and look for new ways to relax.
Conclusion
Making healthy changes may or may not lead to positive results. But if you have made several lifestyles and still find it difficult to conceive, we can help. Our highly experienced team can work with you and your partner to determine whatโs stopping you from getting pregnant. Once the reason for your infertility is found, then we can help figure out the best treatment to make sure you finally actualize your dream of having a family.
To know more about women’s fertility, male infertility factors, and the available treatment options, simply schedule a consultation or explore our website and have a chat with our team.
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