Medically Reviewed:
Dr. Randy Gelow, MD, FASAM
Ray Hamilton, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Last Updated: June 18, 2025
Alcohol consumption is common worldwide, but many people don’t realize how drinking alcohol can affect reproductive health and fertility. Whether you’re drinking casually, engaging in binge drinking, or struggling with alcohol dependence, it’s important to understand how alcohol affects fertility, hormonal health, and long-term reproductive function.
The effect of alcohol in reproductive health can be both immediate and long-term. Alcohol interferes with the body’s hormonal levels, particularly those related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which regulates sexual development, libido, and fertility in both sexes.
When a person consumes high levels of alcohol, the body struggles to maintain the hormonal balance necessary for healthy reproduction. Research shows that excessive alcohol disrupts menstrual cycling in women and decreases testosterone in men. Over time, these changes can affect fertility, reduce sexual performance, and increase the risk of infertility.
In men, alcohol alters the production of testosterone, the hormone responsible for sperm production, libido, and secondary sexual characteristics. Chronic or heavy drinking reduces testosterone levels while increasing estrogen. This hormonal imbalance can cause low libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased muscle mass.
Alcohol consumption significantly impacts sperm quality. It lowers sperm count, damages sperm structure, and reduces their ability to move efficiently (motility). These changes make it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg.
In one study, men who consumed more than 5 drinks per week were shown to have significantly lower sperm quality than those who drank less. The effects worsen with higher alcohol intake, especially when it becomes a routine or when binge drinking is involved.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It slows down brain activity and blood flow, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection. Over time, frequent alcohol drinking damages blood vessels and nerves, leading to chronic erectile dysfunction. Lower testosterone levels also contribute to decreased sexual desire and performance.
Alcohol disrupts the hormones responsible for regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle. High or consistent levels of alcohol interfere with estrogen and progesterone production, resulting in irregular menstrual cycling or complete cessation (amenorrhea). These disruptions can make it harder to predict ovulation and time intercourse for conception.
Excessive or binge drinking can suppress ovulation by altering hormonal levels, specifically luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are essential for the development and release of eggs from the ovaries. When ovulation is impaired, so is female fertility.
For women who are pregnant or trying to conceive, drinking alcohol poses serious risks. It increases the chance of miscarriage, stillbirth, and preterm labor. One of the most serious concerns is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), a group of conditions that include birth defects and developmental delays.
Even a few glasses of wine per week during pregnancy can be harmful. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, and experts recommend complete abstinence to avoid increasing the risk of complications.
Yes—alcohol and fertility are closely linked. Both men and women can experience fertility issues due to alcohol consumption.
In Men:
In Women:
Research shows that even moderate alcohol use can delay conception. In couples trying to conceive, women who drank more than 3 glasses of wine or alcoholic drinks per week had lower pregnancy rates compared to non-drinkers.
Understanding the levels of alcohol that affect reproductive health is key. Moderate drinking is generally defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. However, research shows that even moderate drinking can disrupt menstrual cycling and sperm quality.
Heavy drinking, often characterized by consuming more than 14 drinks per week or binge drinking (four or more drinks in a single occasion for women, five or more for men), significantly increases the risk of fertility problems.
There is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy or fertility treatments. For those trying to conceive, reducing alcohol intake or abstaining altogether is the safest choice.
If you are trying to conceive, consider the following tips to protect your reproductive health:
Alcohol affects reproductive health and fertility in multiple ways. It disrupts hormonal levels, alters menstrual cycling in women, and reduces sperm count and quality in men. Heavy drinking and binge drinking increase these risks, while even moderate drinking can negatively impact fertility.
For those struggling with heavy drinking or alcohol addiction, support is available, and recovery can lead to not only better fertility but also improved health and quality of life overall.
The Hope House in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializes in luxury rehabilitation services designed to support individuals on their journey to recovery. Their treatment approach focuses on personalized care, with programs specifically developed to meet each person’s unique circumstances and needs.
For those living outside of Arizona, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a comprehensive Treatment Locator tool. This resource helps individuals find qualified addiction treatment facilities in their local area, making it easier to access the care they need close to home.
