Alcohol can affect female fertility in several ways, including:
- Changing estrogen levels
- Reducing the number of eggs
- Affecting hormones and the menstrual cycle
The moderate and heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a longer time to pregnancy and a higher likelihood of needing to be evaluated for infertility. For example, one study found that drinking 3-6 alcoholic drinks per week during the luteal phase (the second half of the menstrual cycle) resulted in a 44% reduction in the chance of conceiving.