Does alcohol affect fertility?

Alcohol can reduce fertility for both men and women. Heavy drinking, such as two bottles of wine or more per week, has been linked to an 18% decrease in fertility. Drinking as few as three alcoholic drinks per week can make it harder for a woman to become pregnant, especially if she drinks during the second half of her menstrual cycle.

Drinking alcohol before pregnancy can also increase the risk of a baby being born early or at a lower than ideal birth weight.