Which drink is good for sperm?

Does Alcohol Kill Sperm? And Other Fertility Facts

Alcohol amount
Effect on male fertility
Effect on female fertility
Male fertility tips
See a doctor
Takeaway

When it comes to alcohol and fertility, the focus is quite often on the woman.

We know about the harmful effects of drinking while pregnant, but what about drinking before pregnancy? And how does drinking affect male fertility? Is it a big deal? Should you even worry about it?

Yes, you should.

Alcohol, even in moderate amounts, can affect your sexual health. It can lead to loss of libido and infertility in both men and women.

Read on to learn how alcohol affects sperm and male and female fertility.
How much alcohol does it take to affect sperm and male fertility?

Social alcohol use is common around the world, but heavy drinking has lots of bad health effects. In the United States, a 2015 survey found nearly 27 percentTrusted Source of those 18 or older reported binge drinking in the past month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in approximately 35 percentTrusted Source of cases of infertility, male and female factors were identified.

Studies show heavy, consistent drinking or binge drinking — five or more drinks in men in a two-hour timeframe — have negative effects on sperm.

More than 14 mixed drinks in a week can lower testosterone levels and affect sperm count.

The CDCTrusted Source defines excessive drinking as follows:
Binge drinking Heavy drinking Underage drinking Pregnant drinking
Males 5 or more drinks on one occasion (within 2 to 3 hours) 15 or more drinks per week any alcohol used under age 21 n/a
Females 4 or more drinks on one occasion (within 2 to 3 hours) 8 or more drinks per week any alcohol used under age 21 any alcohol
How alcohol affects sperm and male fertility
The bad news

Alcohol can affect fertility by altering sperm count, size, shape, and motility.

In men, heavy drinking affectsTrusted Source fertility by:

lowering testosterone levels, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone, and raising estrogen levels, which reduce sperm production
shrinking the testes, which can cause impotence or infertility
changing gonadotropinTrusted Source release which impacts sperm production
causing early ejaculation or decreased ejaculation
changing the shape, size, and movement of healthy sperm

Combining drugs like marijuana or opioids with alcohol also lowers fertility. In addition, liver disease caused by excessive drinking can change sperm qualityTrusted Source.

Moreover, recent animal and human studiesTrusted Source show exposure to alcohol during early development and later in life leads to changes in the DNA. This, in turn, may lead to alcohol use disorder and other inherited health problems. More research, however, is needed to confirm this connection.
The good news

The effects of alcohol on sperm count are reversible.

The good news is that the effects are reversible. One studyTrusted Source showed it took three months for the return of healthy sperm production once alcohol consumption stops.
Mountain Dew and hand sanitizer

Mountain Dew. There’s no truth to the myth about Mountain Dew lowering or killing sperm. Research has found no link between drinking Mountain Dew and low sperm count.
Hand sanitizers. Do hand sanitizers have an effect on sperm? One recent studyTrusted Source found the antibacterial agent triclosan can lower sperm count. While repeated exposure to certain chemicals can damage sperm, more studies are needed to confirm the effect of antibacterial agents on sperm.

How alcohol affects female fertility

Alcohol can lower the chances of becoming pregnant.

According to a recent studyTrusted Source, regular heavy drinking can reduce female fertility by:

interrupting menstrual cycle and ovulation causing changes to ovarian function, known as amenorrhea and anovulation, respectively
changing hormone levels of testosterone, estradiol and luteinizing hormone
causing hyperprolactinemia or high prolactin in the blood

StudiesTrusted Source also confirm alcohol exposure during pregnancy is harmful. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are one example of a side effect.
How to boost male fertility

A healthy lifestyle is a crucial part of boosting fertility. Excessive drinking, stress, anxiety, being overweight, and smoking can all hurt your health and fertility.

A new studyTrusted Source found those who consumed a healthy Mediterranean diet had higher sperm quality. This was especially true for those eating more fruits, vegetables, seafood, and healthy grains.

Read about more ways to boost male fertility and sperm count.
Tips for increasing male fertility

exercising regularly to boost testosterone levels
practicing stress management to keep cortisol levels down
follow good sleep habits
discuss your nutritional needs with your doctor to find out if you’re low on any vitamins

When to see a doctor

Lifestyle, medications, and hormonal or genetic conditions can all play a role in infertility. Typically, a male hormone analysis and semen analysis can help identify underlying issues.

You can also try home test kits. However, these kits will only tell you sperm count. They don’t tell you about other possible reasons for infertility such as quality or movement of sperm.

It’s best to speak to your doctor if you have concerns and are considering testing your sperm.
Takeaway

Whether you’ve been trying for a while or you’re just starting to plan for a family, there’s no time like the present to make some healthy lifestyle changes.

You can make a healthy start by:

managing your weight
following a healthy diet
getting into a regular exercise routine
practicing self-care
quitting smoking and excessive drinking
managing any chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, or other conditions

Schedule an appointment with your doctor to talk about any specific fertility concerns. Always talk to your pharmacist and doctor before you consider any over-the-counter vitamins or supplements.