Curb Caffeine and Alcohol Intake
Caffeine’s role in fertility is one of those issues that surfaces every couple of years. The research is ongoing, and the verdict is still out. But as of now, most experts agree that as long as you limit your intake to less than 300 milligrams a day (the amount contained in two small cups of coffee plus a soda), your fertility shouldn’t be affected. “Caffeine contains xanthines, which have a stimulant effect,” says Dr. Wilbois. “If there’s enough stimulation, it creates a stress state, which has an adverse effect on ovulation and egg quality.” As for alcohol, everyone knows that once you’re pregnant you should give it up. But the effects on fertility are not as well studied. Certainly excessive alcohol consumption has been linked with anovulation (no ovulation), amenorrhea (no periods), and abnormalities with the endometrial lining. Alcohol can also alter estrogen and progesterone levels. “The old adage, ‘everything in moderation,’ is wise,” says Dr. Wilbois. An occasional glass of wine is unlikely to affect your fertility, but many experts think it’s best to be on the safe side and forego alcohol as soon as you start trying to conceive.
