Drinking alcohol may lower chances of pregnancy, research claims

Drinking alcohol on any day of your menstrual cycle may reduce your chances of pregnancy, Human Reproduction reported referring to the study.

According to Medportal.ru, infertility is a widespread problem throughout the world. And alcohol can be a possible risk factor.

In the new study, researchers analyzed data from 413 women aged 19-41 who were followed for 19 menstrual cycles. Participants in the study kept diaries in which they recorded data about the alcohol they consumed.

Scientists identified several types of alcohol consumption by the participants: binge (more than 4 servings per day), frequent (more than 6 servings per week), moderate (3-6 servings per week). One serving in the study was a small glass of beer (355 ml) or 44 milliliters of spirits.

The most expressive was the connection between drunkenness and frequent alcohol consumption during ovulation: about the fourteenth day of the cycle. However, the authors noted that frequent alcohol consumption during any phase of the menstrual cycle reduces the likelihood of conception.

The study showed that frequent alcohol consumption during the second phase of the cycle reduced fertility by 44% and during ovulation by 61%, compared to non-drinkers. Every day of binge drinking in the second part of the cycle was associated with a decrease in the probability of conception by 19%, during ovulation - by 41%.

The probability of conception within one menstrual cycle for non-drinking women is about 25%, and for moderately drinking women - 20%, for frequent drinkers - 11%, the authors of the study reported. The type of alcoholic beverages did not influence the results of the study.

This study does not prove that alcohol consumption can make it difficult to conceive, it only shows a link between the two. Scientists also noted that alcoholic beverages should not be taken as a contraceptive.