Would-be mums warned to avoid alcohol

Women should be encouraged to reduce alcohol intake, researchers say

Women who are trying to get pregnant should avoid drinking any alcohol, according to new research.

While heavy drinking has long been known to hamper fertility, a study published in the British Medical Journal shows that even moderate consumption of alcohol can affect a woman's chances of conceiving.

Dr Tina Kold Jensen from the National University Hospital in Denmark and colleagues studied 430 Danish couples aged 20 - 35 years, who were trying to have a baby for the first time.

Lifestyle factors

The participants were followed through six menstrual cycles. They all had to complete questionnaires about their medical history and lifestyle.

The study found that even after adjusting for factors such as smoking, diseases in female reproductive organs, and weight, women drinking five units or less a week were twice as likely to conceive within six months than women drinking ten units or more.

The results were also adjusted to take account of the men in the study, including their sperm counts.

"Alcohol intake in women but not in men was associated with reduced fecundability (the probability of getting pregnant). The reduction was independent of the sources of alcohol (spirits, wine or beer)," the authors write.

Unexpected result

The research team say their findings were unexpected, especially since other studies had failed to make the same connection.

The researchers even quote one study that suggested drinking one to ten glasses of alcohol could actually increase the chances of conception. But the group argues that many of these studies had problems with the methods employed for carrying them out.

They conclude: "This finding needs further corroboration, but it seems reasonable to encourage women to reduce their intake of alcohol or not to drink at all when they are trying to become pregnant."