Does caffeine affect fertility? – fertility clinic Santa Fe area

Many people really love their morning coffee or tea, but some worry that it might have negative effects on health. Much research suggests that coffee has positive effects on your overall health (such as a lower risk of diabetes). However, women may still be concerned about the effects of caffeine on fertility. Is there reason for potential mothers to worry about drinking that morning coffee?

The evidence on caffeine – fertility clinic Santa Fe area

As you might imagine, this is a very difficult topic for researchers to study. In general, researchers must rely on people’s self-reported caffeine intake, which could be inaccurate. In addition, people who choose to drink coffee could be different from those who choose not to drink it in important ways. That means that any differences found between the two groups could be due to other factors and not to coffee itself. (For example, coffee drinkers are more likely also to be smokers.)

Caffeine may impair fertility at a certain dose – fertility clinic Santa Fe area

The studies that are available indicate that a small amount of caffeine isn’t likely to be a problem. Doses of up to 200mg appear not to impair fertility. However, at doses of 200-300mg of caffeine or higher, some studies have shown that fertility is decreased.

A single cup of coffee can contain anywhere from 85 to 200mg of coffee, depending on what type of coffee it is and how it’s brewed. Most likely, women who drink one or two cups of coffee a day don’t have to worry. Women who drink more than that could be impairing their fertility. However, the research really isn’t completely clear. Studies have been inconsistent, with some studies showing that caffeine has no effect on fertility.

Caffeine may also increase the risk of miscarriage – fertility clinic Santa Fe area

Again, it’s very difficult to be certain of the truth here. However, an association exists between consumption of more than 200mg of caffeine per day and an increased risk of miscarriage. This link is strong; the risk of miscarriage is increased by up to three times.

Again, keep in mind that just because caffeine is associated with miscarriages doesn’t mean that it causes them; the association could be there for other reasons. However, most women want to play it safe when it comes to miscarriage, and the safest bet is to keep your caffeine consumption under 200mg while pregnant.

Want more information?

If you want to learn more about the associations between caffeine and various fertility and pregnancy outcomes, you should discuss this with your doctor. Ultimately, each woman must make her own risk/benefit calculation when deciding whether or not to have caffeinated beverages while undergoing fertility treatment or while pregnant, and how much to have. You can consult with your doctor to learn more about how caffeine might impact your personal situation, but the choice will still be yours to make.