For generations, many people have been using alcohol to socialize and relax. As researchers have been studying the effects of alcohol, people are now becoming more aware of the negative effects of constant alcohol use on reproductive capability. Recently, the adverse reproductive effects of moderate alcohol intake have become a significant health concern.

It is important for all of us to understand the negative effects on future fertility aspirations.

Metabolism

Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently than men. In general, “women have less body water than men of similar body weight, so that women achieve higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol.” ^*1  As woman age, their metabolism decreases. This leaves women who are chronic alcohol drinkers vulnerable to such conditions that may include: Liver Disease, Brain Damage, Heart Disease, Breast Cancer, and Kidney Damage. As well, alcohol tolerance is decreased in older men and women. It is likely that an equal amount of alcohol can have more damaging consequences than it would on a younger person. Older people are less tolerant to alcohol because of physical changes including: “decreased hepatic blood flow - liver will receive more damage, inefficiency of liver enzymes - alcohol will not be broken down as efficiently, and altered responsiveness of the brain - alcohol will have a faster effect on the brain.” ^*2

Alcohol and Female Fertility

Women attempting to get pregnant should be aware of the risks associated with the effects of alcohol. The effects vary from infertility, disruption in menstrual cycle, an increased risk of a miscarriage, pre-term birth, and still birth.

Alcoholic mothers have an increased risk of the fetal alcohol syndrome. This syndrome is “a group of birth defects that occur in children whose mothers drank large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy. The defects include mental retardation, deficient growth, and malformations of the skull and face.” ^*3 There is a risk of low birth weight and behavior disorders. As well, these babies are prone to congenital heart defects and brain abnormalities. “This syndrome occurs in 30 to 40 percent of newborns born to women who are alcoholics.”.

The following symptoms are also associated with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS):

Low birth weight
Small head
Flat face with a snub nose and unusually smooth area between nose and mouth
Thin upper lip
Small, widely spaced eyes with prominent folds of skin on the nasal side of the eye
Specific or general learning difficulties
Hyperactivity and attention problems

Alcohol and Male Fertility

In men, alcohol can destroy the sperm-producing cells in the testicle. Alcohol may result in abnormal liver function and an increase in estrogen levels. This may inhibit sperm development and negatively affect hormone levels. Men can suffer from a failure to achieve an erection, a shrinking of the testes and penis, and a decreased sperm count.

The Impact of Alcohol on a Baby

More young people tend to engage in binge drinking. “Binge drinking may have a more detrimental effect on a fetus than drinking the same amount spread over the week.” ^*4  Pregnant women who drink heavily are at greater risk of having a low birth weight baby. They may also have babies with birth defects that can include facial abnormalities and damaged physical or mental development.

Having a Healthy Baby

Drinking alcohol can negatively affect your fertility and cause severe and irreversible damage to a baby. In general, for women, heavy alcohol consumption, “which is generally defined as greater than two 10 g drinks of alcohol per day, has been consistently associated with anovulation and increased endometriosis” ^*5

“One or more alcoholic drinks per day in the first three months of pregnancy may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion.” ^*6   Most doctors recommend that women inform them of their alcohol practice before initiating conception so that they can help them to manage and handle any problems. Because some women will not know they are pregnant immediately, it is essential to stop or reduce alcohol consumption prior to conception. It is much safer to refrain from drinking alcohol before conception and during the pregnancy. Serious drinking can often result in internal organ damage, and increase the risk of contracting other diseases.

Researchers have determined that no safe level of alcohol drinking has been established that would not harm a baby. Whether people are in their early twenties or over thirty, avoiding alcohol beverages is highly recommended as the best method of ensuring a healthy life as well as a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

On March 26th 2008 - the UK government health watchdog NICE has changed its previous guidance that suggested small amounts of alcohol are safe during pregnancy in response to growing fears about Britain's drinking culture. ^*7

References for this article

1 - USA National Institue for Health

2 - UK Institue of Alcohol Studies 

3 - EBSCOHost Online Research

4 - Nature.com

5 - AIM – Alcohol in Moderation

6 - Fetal Exposure

7 - National Institute for Clinical Excellence  

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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is asking women not to use the ‘Baby Beets Fetal Doppler’ after concerns that it might not reach the required standards of safety and quality, or that it works, as required by the Medical Devices Regulations. The MHRA was alerted to the product being sold on the Internet by a legitimate manufacturer of foetal monitors. As there is no evidence that the safety and performance of this product has been assessed in accordance with the Medical Devices Regulations, the product could pose a potential risk to the mother and/or baby in respect of any energy emitted.

Clive Bray, Director of Device Technology and Safety at the MHRA said, “The MHRA is currently assessing certain safety aspects of the product. It must be stressed that initial indications are that the health risk to a pregnant woman and/or their baby is small. However, as a precautionary measure, I strongly urge anyone using this product to immediately discontinue use.”

The MHRA has seized 113 of these products and advises people selling this product to stop and remove it from their stock. 

In general, a medical device cannot be marketed in the UK without carrying a CE Mark of Conformity. A CE mark is applied by the manufacturer to denote that the device meets the relevant regulatory requirements and performs as intended. For all but the very lowest risk devices, such as unmedicated bandages, an EC Certificate of Conformity must be obtained from an independent certification organisation, called a Notified Body, before the CE marking can be affixed. The MHRA is responsible for designating UK Notified Bodies and regularly audits them to ensure that they continue to perform to the required standards. Foetal dopplers are a Class IIa device and would need an EC Certificate from a Notified Body. The ‘Baby Beets Fetal Doppler’ incorrectly claims to be CE marked and that its EC representative is Lloyds Pharmacy.

4. If people wish to send this product to the MHRA, they should send it to:
Medical Devices Compliance Unit
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
8/2 Market Towers
1 Nine Elms Lane
London
SW8 5NQ

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