subject: Getting Pregnant Tips - 7 Facts Why Alcohol and Smoking Can Decrease Your Fertility [print this page] Most people know that drinking and smoking during a pregnancy can be seriously harmful to a baby. We watch television shows that depict pregnant women in the 1960's smoking cigarettes and drinking scotch, and we are nothing short of horrified. Did you know, though, that alcohol and tobacco could have detrimental effects on female fertility? Did you also know that sperm produced by men who drink and smoke could affect rates of conception? If this is news to you, keep reading. Alcohol and tobacco consumption could be the reason why you are having difficulty getting pregnant. Reason You Should Quit #1 - Alcohol decreases sex drive in both men and women. While alcohol can decrease inhibitions, it ultimately does not help things out in the bedroom. Alcohol, even consumed at moderate levels, will lower sex drive in both men and women. Not having intercourse will not lead to pregnancy; so both of you need to stay away from the bottle when trying to get pregnant. Reason You Should Quit #2 - Alcohol causes hormonal imbalances in both men and women. For women, alcohol can alter hormones so that ovulation does not occur when it should. If you've predicted an ovulation date and then you drink a few glasses of wine, you may be inadvertently delaying the release of your egg. Additionally, large amounts of alcohol can make menstrual cycles stop all together. For men, studies show that even moderate use of alcohol can decrease fertility, as men who use alcohol have lower sperm counts than men who abstain. Reason You Should Quit #3 - Alcohol can decrease sperm viability. Alcohol has also been shown to slow sperm down, making it less likely for a viable sperm to reach an egg for fertilization. Additionally, alcohol can produces malformed sperm, which will also affect its ability to fertilize and egg. Reason You Should Quit #4 - Alcohol can cause a miscarriage. Miscarriage early in the pregnancy can be caused by many factors. However, if a woman does not know that she did conceive and consumes alcohol, she could very well miscarry the baby. Reason You Should Quit #5 - Tobacco can cause an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. As with alcohol, tobacco use by women when they don't know they are pregnant can cause a miscarriage. Studies have also shown that birth mothers using tobacco soon after conception are more prone to ectopic pregnancies. Reason You Should Quit #6 - Tobacco can cause impotence. Medical professionals have conducted research that shows that men who use tobacco have a higher incidence of impotence. Impotence does not allow sperm to be released so that an egg can be fertilized when a woman is ovulating. Impotence is not a condition that is conducive to getting pregnant. Reason You Should Quit #7 - Tobacco can cause damage to sperm. As with alcohol, tobacco has been shown to damage sperm. Men who smoke or use chewing tobacco have a higher rate of slow moving and malformed sperm. Sperm not working at their highest potential are going to have a hard time getting to an egg, and you will have a harder time conceiving. Still not convinced you should quit alcohol and tobacco? Think of quitting as practicing being a parent. Parenting involves a tremendous amount of sacrifice and giving up of self. You can begin sacrificing for you baby now by stopping alcohol and tobacco consumption before you even try to get pregnant. Someday, your child will thank you.
Getting Pregnant Tips - 7 Facts Why Alcohol and Smoking Can Decrease Your Fertility
By: Jade Kermar
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