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Alcohol is the most popular recreational substance in the U.S. It’s part of most social gatherings, holidays, and more.
Despite its widespread use, alcohol can have major impacts on reproductive health.
So if you’re thinking “Does alcohol affect sperm when trying to get pregnant?” you’re in the right place.
Excessive alcohol consumption may have serious health implications. This is especially true when it comes to fertility for both men and women.
Research shows that males are solely responsible for 20% of infertility issues. And they play a role in about 30-40% of all infertility issues. Some of these fertility struggles are rooted in lifestyle factors, including alcohol consumption.
This makes it important to understand the effect of alcohol on male reproductive health and fertility. And also how male alcohol consumption can make getting pregnant more difficult.
Key takeaways
- Heavy alcohol exposure can negatively impact sperm health. It may reduce sperm count, decrease sperm motility, and cause abnormal sperm morphology.
- The occasional alcoholic drink may not affect sperm. “Moderate” drinkers are those who consume two drinks or less per day.
- Alcohol can disrupt the balance of reproductive hormones needed for sperm production. This can lead to decreased testosterone and increased estrogen.
- Alcohol can contribute to sexual dysfunction and male infertility. This includes erectile dysfunction and reduced libido.
- To improve sperm health and fertility, abstain from alcohol for at least three months. This gives the body time to recover and produce new, healthy sperm.
What quantity of alcohol affects sperm?
You might be wondering how much alcohol, if any, is safe for your fertility.
We’ve got good news. Moderate alcohol exposure probably won’t mess with your chances of getting pregnant. What does “moderate” mean?
Understanding the terms
To better understand the spectrum of drinking habits, it’s important to define some key terms.
Moderate drinking
Moderate alcohol consumption equals two drinks or less per day for men, and one drink or less per day for women.
- 12 fl oz of regular beer
- 8-10 oz of malt liquor or hard seltzers
- 5 oz of table wine
- 3-4 oz of fortified wine (sherry or port)
- 2-3 oz of cordial, liquor, or aperitif
- 1.5 oz of brandy or cognac
- 1.5 oz shot of distilled spirits (tequila, vodka, whiskey, etc)
Binge drinking
Binge drinking is when you drink a bunch of alcohol in a short amount of time.
For men, that’s five or more drinks in two hours, and for women, that’s four or more drinks in two hours.
Heavy drinking
This term is used to describe consistent and habitual alcohol consumption over a period of time.
For men, this alcohol abuse looks like five or more drinks in one single day or a weekly alcohol intake of 15+ drinks. And when it comes to the ladies, heavy alcohol intake means four or more drinks on any single day or a weekly alcohol intake of 8+ drinks.
If you’re binge drinking for five or more days in a month, that’s considered heavy and excessive alcohol intake, or alcohol abuse.
# of drinks men | # of drinks women | |
Moderate drinking | ≤ 2 | ≤ 1 |
Binge drinking | ≥ 5 in 2 hours | ≥ 4 in 2 hours |
Heavy drinking | ≥ 5 in one day or ≥ 15 per week | ≥ 4 in one day or ≥ 8 per week |
What research says
Scientists have looked at many studies to see how much alcohol affects sperm health. Here’s what they found.
- Light drinking: Men who have less than seven drinks per week seem to have healthy sperm.
- Heavy drinking: Men who drink heavily have issues with their sperm quality and reproductive hormones. (Heavily = more than seven drinks per week.)This can make it harder to get pregnant. Heavy alcohol intake can also reduce testosterone levels and increase estradiol. This isn’t great for sperm and semen quality.
Another study showed that any amount of alcohol consumption, even a little bit, might affect sperm volume and sperm morphology. But here’s the catch: this seemed to only apply to men who drank every day. Occasional drinkers did not seem to be affected. Their sperm volume and morphology were the same as those of men who abstained from alcohol intake entirely.
The consensus? The occasional alcoholic drink probably won’t hurt your chances of conceiving. But alcohol abuse in the form of heavy alcohol intake or binge drinking definitely will.
The negative effects of alcohol on sperm are varied. Let’s take a look at some of them.
How does alcohol affect sperm?
There are many ways that alcohol intake can mess with sperm parameters and hinder male reproductive health.
Sperm concentration
Heavy alcohol intake can decrease sperm concentration in men with secondary infertility. However, the same association between alcohol abuse and sperm concentration has not been found in men with primary infertility.
As a quick refresh:
- Primary infertility: This is when a couple is unable to conceive after a year of trying.
- Secondary infertility: This is when a couple who has successfully gotten pregnant before is unable to do so again.
Know more: Secondary Infertility: What It Is and What You Can Do
This suggests that the impact of alcohol on sperm may be more significant in men who have previously faced challenges with conception.
One study amongst young Danish men found that the more alcohol a man drinks, the greater the negative effect on sperm concentration. Men who have more than five drinks per week show a big decrease in sperm count. And with this decrease comes greater the more alcohol they consume.
Sperm morphology
Researchers have determined that alcohol can cause sperm to develop abnormal sperm morphology. This can be problematic because it may cause issues with swimming and fertilizing an egg. Sperm with a normal shape can more easily reach the egg and fertilize it.
Sperm DNA fragmentation
Studies show that alcohol intake can damage sperm DNA by causing sperm DNA fragmentation. The result of this may be genetic problems in the offspring.
Alcohol can also disrupt the way DNA is packaged within sperm (chromatin condensation). And this can impact male reproductive health.
But sperm isn’t the only part of male fertility that alcohol affects.
Other effects of alcohol on male fertility
The effect of alcohol consumption extends to other key parts of male reproductive health.
Reproductive hormones
Long-term, heavy alcohol use can disrupt the delicate balance of reproductive hormones. This hormonal imbalance can lead to all kinds of problems.
- Reduced testosterone: This can mean a lower sperm count, reduced sperm quality, motility, and sexual dysfunction.
- Increased estradiol: Men produce small amounts of this estrogen, but too much can disrupt the male reproductive hormone balance. Heavy alcohol intake (especially in those with liver disease and dysfunction) can increase estradiol. This can negatively affect sperm quality and, thus, male fertility.
- Reduced gonadotropin release: Gonadotropins like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are the reproductive hormones made by the pituitary gland that regulate the testes. Alcohol can interfere with the release of these reproductive hormones, leading to lower sperm production.
- Testicular atrophy: This level of alcohol use can cause the testicles to shrink, called testicular atrophy. This can cause a decrease in sperm production and affect male reproductive health.
IVF
Alcohol intake can negatively affect the chances of a successful pregnancy. Here’s how.
Studies show that a male’s alcohol consumption may reduce the odds of a successful IVF cycle. Men who drink more than seven drinks per week show a lower live birth rate after undergoing IVF or ICSI.
Why does alcohol affect IVF outcomes? It may be because, as we talked about earlier, drinking alcohol impacts sperm quality and can disrupt reproductive hormones.
Sexual function
It is very common to experience the effect of alcohol on your sex drive. Alcohol consumption can make it hard for men to have sex and conceive.
Here are the ways alcohol intake affects a man’s sexual function.
- Erectile dysfunction: Alcohol can mess with the flow of blood to the penis. This can make it hard to achieve and maintain an erection. And long-term alcohol intake can damage the nerves that control erections.
- Reduced libido: Male alcohol exposure can disrupt hormone levels (testosterone), which can decrease your sex drive. Additionally, alcohol intake can interfere with your neurotransmitters. These brain chemicals regulate sexual desire.
- Delayed ejaculation: The nerves that control ejaculation can be affected by alcohol intake. This can cause delayed or non-existent ejaculation.
- Orgasm challenges: Reduced sensitivity is a side effect of alcohol consumption, which can make it harder to reach orgasm.
If a man isn’t able to properly have sex, it’s harder for his sperm to reach the egg. Some of these effects of alcohol on sexual function are temporary. But long-term alcohol intake can lead to chronic dysfunction, which makes it even harder to get pregnant.
When should you quit alcohol if you’re TTC?
Heavy alcohol consumption has negative effects on not just male fertility, but also on your overall health. If you’re looking to live a healthier life in general, it’s a good idea to cut your alcohol exposure.
Even before conception, a male’s alcohol intake can have an impact on the health of future children. Studies have shown that paternal alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol-related birth defects and developmental problems in their offspring.
The effects of alcohol intake on sperm can be long-lasting. It takes time for the body to get rid of alcohol and its harmful byproducts.
To reduce these risks, you want to quit drinking alcohol at least three months before trying to get pregnant. This gives the body enough time to recover and get your sperm health in good shape.
The sperm cycle is 64 days, meaning it takes them this long to mature completely. So quitting three months prior to TTC ensures that any new sperm produced is not affected by alcohol.
Tips for reducing alcohol intake
If you’re looking to get pregnant and want to cut back on your alcohol consumption, here are some tips to help.
- Alcohol-free days: Designate a few days each week where you don’t drink at all. This can help you break the habit of habitual alcohol consumption.
- Try non-alcoholic beverages: More non-alcoholic drinks exist now than ever. Many companies are making mixes that taste like alcohol, but are alcohol-free. Have fun creating mocktails and ordering them at social gatherings.
- Find new ways to relax: If you look to alcohol consumption to relieve stress, try finding other healthy ways to cope. This could include exercise, meditation, or time with friends and family.
- Track your spending: Drinking alcohol can be an expensive habit. Keep track of how much you spend on alcohol in a week or a month. You may be surprised at how much you could save by cutting back on your alcohol consumption.
- Be ready for challenges: Cutting back on alcohol consumption may be difficult, especially if you’re used to regular alcohol intake. Be prepared for cravings and other challenges.
- Have a plan: People may ask you why you aren’t drinking or pressure you into drinking. Think about how you want to respond to those situations to make them easier.
- Ask for help: If you find that you are unable to quit or you are in a state of chronic consumption, it may be time to turn to a professional for help. Support, encouragement, and guidance are key to quitting drinking. You don’t have to do it alone! There are great resources to support you.
It’s important to remember that cutting back on alcohol consumption is a journey. So be patient with yourself and celebrate the small wins.
Other tips to improve sperm health
In addition to reducing your alcohol consumption, there are other things you can do to boost your sperm quality and health.
Diet
Eat a nutrient-rich diet that’s full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. This supports overall health, including sperm health. Certain nutrients like zinc, antioxidants, and omega-3s are especially good for sperm production and function.
Try to stay away from processed foods and drinks. These negatively impact male reproductive health and overall health.
Regular exercise
It’s well established that exercise helps reduce stress. This can have a positive impact on your hormone levels and sperm quality.
Quality sleep
Plenty of quality sleep is essential for hormone regulation that influences sperm production. Melatonin is a hormone produced during sleep. And it helps prevent sperm death and boosts sperm concentration, morphology, and motility.
Stress management
Stress can wreak havoc on all functions of the body, including sexual. Techniques like meditation, breathwork, and yoga can help reduce stress and improve male fertility.
And of course, talking to a professional can help you manage stress and anxiety.
FAQs
Yes. Heavy alcohol consumption can lower testosterone. So when you quit drinking, your body can get back to normal testosterone levels.
Expect it to take at least a few weeks for your testosterone levels to start increasing once you quit. However, know that the exact length of time will vary from person to person.
Alcohol doesn’t directly kill sperm. However, it can lead to poor sperm quality, sperm health, issues with reproductive hormones, and male infertility.
Alcohol can affect sperm quality, reduce sperm count, decrease sperm motility, cause abnormal sperm shape, and lead to hormonal imbalances.
Yes. Alcohol can lower the number of sperm your body produces and can also affect the shape of the sperm. It can also mess with your reproductive hormones. All these effects of alcohol can make it hard to get pregnant.
Alcohol can also interfere with the blood flow to the penis, which makes it hard to get an erection (and keep one). Long-term alcohol abuse can damage nerves that control erections, too.
It takes about three months for the effects of alcohol to reverse. The body produces a new batch of sperm about every 64 days, but experts advise to abstain from alcohol for three months to be safe.
Yes. Alcohol can reduce sperm count, decrease sperm motility, cause abnormal sperm shape, and lead to issues with your reproductive hormones. All of these effects of alcohol make it more difficult to get pregnant.
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