Alcohol consumption and fecundability: prospective Danish cohort study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Female fecundability, the probability of conception per menstrual cycle, is influenced by various lifestyle factors.
• Understanding the impact of alcohol consumption on fertility is crucial for reproductive health guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and female fecundability.
• To quantify the effect of different levels and types of alcohol intake on the probability of conception.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study was conducted with 6120 women aged 21-45 trying to conceive.
• Alcohol intake was self-reported and categorized into weekly servings (none, 1-3, 4-7, 8-13, ≥14).
• A proportional probability regression model estimated fecundability ratios, comparing conception rates across alcohol consumption groups.

Main Results:

• Nearly 69% of participants achieved pregnancy during the follow-up period.
• Alcohol consumption of 1-13 servings per week showed no statistically significant effect on fecundability compared to abstinence.
• Consumption of 14 or more servings per week was associated with a reduced fecundability ratio (0.82), though not statistically significant.
• No significant differences in fecundability were observed based on the type of alcohol consumed (wine, beer, or spirits) at moderate levels.

Conclusions:

• Consuming fewer than 14 servings of alcohol per week appears to have no discernible impact on female fertility.
• The study suggests that moderate alcohol intake, including wine and beer, does not significantly affect fecundability.
• Further research may be needed to explore the effects of binge drinking patterns on conception probability.