Alcohol can interfere with fertility in many ways. Heavy drinking can disrupt liver function and hormone balance (estrogen and progesterone), which can upset ovulation. It also depletes important vitamins and minerals and can impair judgment during sex, and increasing STI risk. Drinking in pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage, prematurity, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Research shows high alcohol intake (14+ drinks per week) is linked with about an 18% lower chance of conceiving compared with no alcohol. For people trying to get pregnant, the safest choice is to avoid alcohol completely. If you choose to drink, keep it minimal — current guidance suggests limiting to one standard drink per day (a 5-oz glass of wine, a 12-oz beer, or 1.5 oz spirits) and taking several alcohol-free days each week to give your liver a break.

Overall, less alcohol generally means better reproductive and overall health. If you’re not on reliable birth control and drinking regularly, talk with your clinician about risks to future pregnancy and strategies to reduce intake.