Alcohol Consumption Lessens the Chances of Becoming Pregnant

 New medical studies are now finding that alcohol consumption is linked negatively with pregnancy, making it less successful when turning to the most common fertility treatments such as IVF (in vitro fertilization) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). Researchers looked at this hypothesis through a meta-analysis, including 27,000 people. This analysis showed that this claim is true, alcohol is negatively linked to success rates of fertility treatment.


Researchers found for women, 84 or more grams of alcohol a week is negatively connected with pregnancy after receiving IVF treatment with ICSI. And in men, 84 or more grams of alcohol a week was negatively connected with live birth rates after IVF and ICSI. A standard drink has about 14 grams in it, so 84 grams is exactly just 6 standard drinks a week! So, how is this possible? A doctor noted that it has an impact on sperm and oocyte quality and that alcohol consumption is tied into overproduction of oxygen species, causing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the disturbance of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) in the body. Having high oxidative stress due to alcohol is not ideal for fertility.


In conclusion, research has demonstrated that alcohol consumption in both men and women plays out into fertility and pregnancy. However, on top of that it is also key to look at overall lifestyle habits and to consider how lifestyle changes may pose a change or effect on fertility and pregnancy outcome as well. Moving forward, further research is needed and in large populations to be able to better understand and examine this.


Posted by: Chloe Friary (7)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcohol-may-affect-fertility-treatment-success-but-caffeine-appears-safe

Comments

  1. Haya UsmaniNovember 2, 2022 at 7:08 AM

    Hi Chloe! I found it interesting to learn about the specific ways that alcohol effects fertility. I always knew alcohol effected the body but I didn't know how it worked or the specifics of it. Does quitting all alcohol consumption change the chances of becoming pregnant?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chloe FriaryNovember 3, 2022 at 8:51 AM

      Hi Haya, yes if you quit alcohol consumption it can show a reverse effect in both men and women. For men, it takes around three months for their sperm to regain normality and for women it is best to stop drinking while in the post ovulation phase of their cycle.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousNovember 2, 2022 at 9:25 AM

    Hi Chloe! I had always known it was bad to drink alcohol if you were actually pregnant, but was not as aware about the effects of drinking while trying to get pregnant. Could someone with more alcohol in their daily use be more likely to have a child with some sort of issue compared to someone who doesn't consume alcohol?
    -Brenna MacDonald

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chloe FriaryNovember 3, 2022 at 9:01 AM

      Hi Brenna, according to research alcohol consumption even two weeks before pregnancy leads to a decrease in the number of viable fetuses and can cause abnormal fetal development. Drinking during pregnancy increases the chances of having a miscarriage, and an early premature birth. Drinking while pregnant can also put a baby at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

      Delete
  3. Anna NiezreckiNovember 2, 2022 at 10:16 AM

    Hi Chloe! I didn't realize that alcohol affects fertility! I think its fairly common knowledge that pregnant women should not drink alcohol, but the fact that it has a negative impact on fertility is not common knowledge. I also think its interesting that it affects men as well because fertility a lot of time is more focused on the woman. Are there any other factors or substances that have more of a negative impact on fertility than alcohol does?

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    Replies
    1. Chloe FriaryNovember 3, 2022 at 9:05 AM

      Hi Anna, yes there are many other things that can cause negative impacts on fertility. Besides alcohol, smoking cigarettes, drug use, and caffeine consumption can all also lessen the chances of becoming pregnant. Approximately 10-15% of couples face infertility so it is important to take all factors of lifestyle into consideration.

      Delete
  4. Sneha MageshNovember 2, 2022 at 10:21 AM

    Hi Chloe! I knew alcohol consumption while pregnant is not good for the fetus; however, I did not know even consuming alcohol before pregnancy could have lasting effects when trying to become pregnant. I wonder what the specific lifestyle habits you could take up are in order to increase fertility?

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousNovember 2, 2022 at 5:35 PM

    Hi Chloe, it was interesting to learn how alcohol consumption not only negatively affects pregnant women, but also affects those trying to get pregnant. How long would it take for alcohol to leave the body in order for active consumers to achieve normal or increased fertility?
    - Gina Pasquale

    ReplyDelete
  6. Caitlin HooperNovember 2, 2022 at 5:36 PM

    Hi Chloe! This article was so interesting because, although it is well known that drinking alcohol during pregnancy is harmful, no one talks about how harmful it can be overall. Do you know if this causes permanent damage or can a woman stop drinking a certain amount of time before trying to become pregnant to reduce the risk?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Elizabeth HardyNovember 2, 2022 at 8:01 PM

    It is very interesting to see the ways in which pregnancy can be impacted by things we do in our daily lives. I didn't know that drinking impacted trying to get pregnant, I only thought it would harm your baby if you were actively pregnant. This is interesting to learn. Were there any cases where drinking had no effect on getting pregnant?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lydia LitvakNovember 9, 2022 at 6:38 AM

    Hi Chloe!
    Like a lot of people, I always knew that pregnancy and alcohol consumption was prohibited/strongly discouraged due to fetal defects and possible miscarriages - I had no idea that alcohol consumption even before the possibility of getting pregnant decreases one's chances of being so. I also had no idea that it impacted both men and women; however, it seems like this is mostly in regards to IVF treatment. Is there any evidence that alcohol consumption lessens chances of getting pregnant if the woman has normal fertility compared to a woman undergoing IVF who already experiences problems with fertility?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kelly PhamDecember 9, 2022 at 9:17 AM

    Hi Chloe! It is very interesting that alcohol plays a role in pregnancy before the fetus is even created. I always knew how alcohol was a big No when a women is pregnant but I did not know the importance of alcohol towards fertilization. I wonder if both parties need to stop their consumption of alcohol before or if it’s only important for the woman

    ReplyDelete

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