Does Alcohol Affect Male Fertility? Facts You Need To Know

A person’s overall health and well-being depend on various aspects. Most people are very much aware of the fact that alcohol abuse can cause various health problems. However, very few people are aware that regular consumption of alcohol can also damagingly impact male fertility. Traditionally, it used to be believed that women should not drink while pregnant, but it is only half-truth. Alcohol consumption, even before pregnancy, can also cause some serious problems with fertility, especially to the male as per the fertility doctors in India.

Men are at higher risk for various fertility-related side effects, including reduced sperm count and low libido, who regularly participate in heavy drinking. With the increase in the amount of alcohol consumption risk of fertility-related issues also increases.

How Does Alcohol Affect Male Fertility?

The reproductive system of a male, as well as his hormones, can directly get impacted by heavy alcohol consumption. This can also change the male’s HPG axis or hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. The reproductive system in a man is made up of this axis and consists of the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and testes.

Excessive alcohol consumption will interfere with how the reproductive system functions and can significantly impact both a male’s hormones and sperm production. This will lead to a reduction in fertility and will make it tougher for a couple to conceive. However, quitting drinking or reducing alcohol consumption can considerably boost male fertility who has experienced fertility issues as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Certain studies have shown a noteworthy improvement in sperm just after the 90 days of abstinence.

What volume of alcohol leads to male infertility?

As per the research conducted by fertility clinics in India, nearly 23 percent of men drank an average of 8 drinks in one sitting for multiple times a month. Furthermore, it is also found that around 35 percent of infertility cases, both male and female factors, were discovered among the people who drank a lot.

Studies have proven that alcohol consumption is the primary factor that contributes to male infertility. More than fifteen mixed drinks in a week or more than five drinks within two hours are considered as heavy drinking for men. Not only the heavy amount but even a small amount of regular alcohol consumption can impact fertility.

What are the exact impacts of alcohol consumption on male fertility?

There are various ways in which a male’s fertility might get affected by alcohol consumption—lowering libido, which makes it tougher to perform or want to perform sexually. Decreased libido can cause reduced sex, which can make it more problematic to become pregnant. Additionally, alcohol abuse can:

● Harmfully impact a man’s hormone levels, including estrogen, testosterone, luteinizing hormones, and follicle-stimulating hormones.

● Can cause a decreased ejaculation or early ejaculation.

● Can impact the release of gonadotropin, which directly disturbs sperm quality and production.

● Shrink the testes leading to impotence or infertility.

● Change in the size, shape, and movement of healthy sperm

● Changing gonadotropin

● Fertility can be impacted by consuming alcohol after combining it with drugs like opioids or marijuana.

● Liver disease triggered by excessive alcohol consumption can change sperm quality.

What’s more, the consumption of alcohol affects the sperm quality of man. Various researches have explored that men who consume alcohol heavily are more likely to have abnormal sperm. This can comprise the size, shape, motility, and count of the sperm. Even it is possible for some men who abuse alcohol to have no sperm in their semen, which makes it impossible for pregnancy to occur naturally.