Alcohol reduces effectiveness of IVF for having a baby

October 21, 2009 by Shawn Douglas
Filed under: News, Pregnancy

Alcohol intake of even small amounts decreases the likelihood of pregnancy says a new Harvard medical study.

A new Harvard study of over 2,500 couples—quizzing them on their drinking habits before beginning IVF treatments—has shown that even small quantities of alcohol disrupt the effectiveness of the treatments.

Dr. Brooke Rossi led the study for the Harvard team, and after reviewing the data, the team found that both men and women that drank six or more units of alcohol a week “significantly reduced their likelihood of pregnancy.”

The study found that men who drank six or more units of alcohol a week reduced the effectiveness of IVF treatment by 14 percent while women who drank the same amount reduced their chance at motherhood by 18 percent.

“In general, women are told they should stop drinking when they are trying to achieve pregnancy,” Rossi said.

Dr. Rossi also reported that particularly strong effects were noted when women drank white wine and men drank beer. Women who drank one to nine units of white wine a week had a 23 percent increased chance of embryo implantation failure. Men who drank one beer on a daily basis contributed a 38 percent increased chance of embryo implantation failure.

Both the British Fertility Society and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence already have developed guidelines directing women to discontinue alcohol use throughout the pregnancy.

“The link between alcohol and conception is an area where the evidence is not clear-cut. It may well be that couples who are already subfertile are more affected by alcohol that those who are perfectly fertile,” said Tony Rutherford, chairman of the British Fertility Society.

“If you are going to have IVF, my recommendation would be that it makes sense to avoid alcohol all together, from three months beforehand. This is further evidence to suggest that alcohol does have an impact and that those women who try for a baby should think about their lifestyle choices.”

“Eggs and sperm take at least three months to develop so women have got to stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption or, if you are overweight, correct that weight, that far ahead if you want to maximize your chances of conception.”