Does Drinking Alcohol Impact Fertility in Men and Women?
Could Drinking Alcohol Impact Your Ability to Conceive?
Research indicates that while moderate alcohol drinking may have minimal impact on fertility, heavy drinking definitely reduces fertility in both men and women.Estrogen levels in women and testosterone levels in men could decrease significantly due to drinking alcohol daily. In addition, women who drink more than two drinks per day may experience missed periods and abnormal bleeding, conditions which could indicate ovulation has not occurred. Other negative repercussions of binge drinking or heavy drinking on fertility include:
- Possibility of spontaneous abortions and miscarriages
- Lack of ovulation due to pituitary/ovarian/hypothalamic dysfunction (ethanol-related)
- Absence of menstrual cycles because of abnormalities in the uterine endometrial lining
- Fluctuating levels of progesterone and estrogen which affect fertility
- Increased risk of stillbirth in the event a heavy drinker becomes pregnant
If you have had a drinking problem in the past and are now having difficulty conceiving, our Vermont fertility clinic provides specialized tests to determine the cause of your infertility as well as options for initiating conception, such as natural cycle IVF and medications to regulate your menstrual cycle.
Why Alcohol Affects Male Fertility
Men who are heavy drinkers could suffer a decrease of the mineral zinc in his body. Reduced zinc could have a negative impact on the amount and health of sperm. Ethanol interferes with testosterone production and promotes conversion of testosterone into estrogen. Higher than normal levels of estrogen in men reduces sperm count as well as sex drive. In addition, zinc is needed for creation of healthy sperm, supporting sperm mobility and inhibiting excess estrogen levels.
Moderate to heavy drinking could also have negative effects on other important nutrients involved in fertility, such as:
- Amino acids–required for sperm and ova production
- Vitamin A–necessary for testosterone production
- Vitamin B6 and B12–levels of these two vitamins reduced by heavy drinking can cause decreased sperm counts and reduced motility of sperm
- Vitamin C–essential for healthy sperm that are strong enough to swim up the fallopian tubes
Get Professional Help with Your Fertility Problems Today
Considered one of the premier fertility clinics in Vermont, Northeastern Reproductive Medicine provides a wide range of reproductive services to men and women wishing to start a family. For more information about the medical treatments we offer for men and women experiencing problems with conceiving, please call our fertility clinic at 802-655-8888.
