When you’re trying to fulfill your dream of having a baby, it’s important to understand how lifestyle choices may affect fertility. Infertility in men and women may be caused by many factors in isolation or combination, including excessive alcohol consumption. The following primer on the links between alcohol and infertility will help you understand how limiting your intake will foster health and promote fertility. 

A Guide to Alcohol & Infertility

How Alcohol Impacts Female Fertility 

It’s well established that drinking during pregnancy is harmful and linked to low birth weight, preterm deliveries, and in extreme cases, fetal alcohol syndrome. But the connection between moderate levels of alcohol consumption and the ability to conceive is still unclear. A 2016 Danish study showed that there was no correlation between ability to conceive and moderate alcohol consumption in women, though other studies indicate that even mild alcohol consumption is associated with hormonal changes that can impact conception. 

Heavy drinking, however, is associated with a variety of health problems that may impact fertility. Drinking to excess harms the liver, which plays a role in the production of hormones like estrogen that are key to fertility. Studies have shown a link between heavy drinking and ovarian disorders. Overindulgence is also commonly linked to other lifestyle factors that inhibit fertility, such as a nutrient-poor diet and a high body mass index. 

If you’re trying to conceive, it’s important to be as healthy as possible. Nutrition, exercise, and stress management will create the optimal conditions for conception. Decreasing or eliminating alcohol is a part of increasing wellness.

How Alcohol Affects Male Fertility 

The top male infertility issues are low sperm count and slow sperm motility. Many health and lifestyle factors affect sperm production and quality, including alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption inhibits testosterone production and shrinks the testes, diminishing sperm count and motility. There’s also conflicting evidence about the harms of moderate alcohol consumption; some studies have found a negative impact, while others have found this level of consumption actually enhances fertility. Like women, men hoping to expand their families should also strive for overall healthy lifestyle choices, such as proper nutrition, moderate exercise, stress reduction, and limited consumption of alcohol. 

Making lifestyle changes will increase your chances of successful conception, especially with the help of IVF Hawaii, in Honolulu, HI. This clinic creates individualized, effective infertility treatment plans for couples trying to conceive. They have the highest success rate in Hawaii and offer a safe and nurturing environment for all their patients. Their expert staff are trained in the most current advanced reproductive technologies. Call (808) 538-6655 to schedule an appointment or visit their website for more information about their services.