What are the effects of high caffeine consumption on fertility? Experts weigh in

Are you a coffee lover? Many people find caffeine to be an energy booster and mood lifter, but if you plan to conceive, you need to be extra careful. According to a meta-analysis, some studies indicate low, medium, or high doses of caffeine may impact fertility in men and women.

Determining the relationship between caffeine intake and infertility is crucial, as high caffeine consumption can impact your fertility more than you think. Caffeine is a stimulant found in different amounts in coffee, black and green tea, energy drinks, some soft drinks, and in chocolates.

Caffeinated drinks are commonly consumed by many people in India and worldwide. ¡°The average amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee is 85 mg, but it can range from 45 mg to 175 mg depending on how coffee is prepared. Drinking high amounts of caffeine can increase the risk of various health issues and is significantly linked with reducing fertility in both men and women,¡± says Dr. Vandana Bhatia, Fertility Specialist at Nova Southend Fertility and IVF, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi.

Excess consumption of high caffeine on fertility

Many studies have found out that women who consume large amounts of caffeine have reduced chances of conceiving naturally and take longer to become pregnant.

According to Dr. Bhatia, ¡°Just like women, even men are at higher risk of experiencing fertility problems due to excessive caffeine consumption. Over time, it can affect the quality of their sperm and reproductive health.¡±

So couples who are actively trying to conceive or have already started their fertility treatments should be careful about their caffeine intake.

Harmful effects of high caffeine consumption on fertility

• Hormonal imbalance: Estradiol and progesterone are reproductive hormones that are vital for ovulation and regulation of the menstrual cycle. Caffeine and estradiol are both metabolised by the same hepatic enzyme through a common metabolic pathway. As a result, the endogenous levels of these hormones are disrupted, resulting in hormonal imbalance.
• Menstrual irregularities and reduced ovulation: Hormonal imbalance, as stated above, leads to disturbance in the menstrual cycle. It is said that a daily consumption of > 300 mg of caffeine has been associated with shorter menstrual cycle length. These women are more likely to experience problems with ovulation, preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs regularly.
• Pregnancy: Caffeine readily crosses the placental barrier in pregnant women, and the baby inside is exposed to the same caffeine levels as the mother. Exposure to excess caffeine has also been shown to have an impact on placental blood flow. Both factors may increase the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight, being small for gestational age, and even stillbirth. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists U.K. recommends that you limit your caffeine intake to as little as possible during pregnancy to less than 200 milligrams (mg) per day. This means two mugs of instant coffee per day, as an average cup of coffee contains approximately 100 mg of caffeine.
• Fertility treatment: Caffeine may reduce the chance of assisted reproduction procedures (such as IVF) being successful, though it is not very clear as yet.
• Lower sperm quality in men: Caffeinated beverages can reduce sperm motility and count. This can impair their ability to fertilize an egg. Poor sperm health can make conception a challenging process for the couple.
• Increased cortisol levels: Cortisol is a hormone the adrenal gland produces and is also known as the ¡°stress hormone¡°. Excess caffeine intake can increase cortisol levels, and this increase can disrupt the menstrual cycle, interfere with sex hormone production, and affect the endometrium negatively¡ªmaking it harder to conceive.
• Interference with nutrient absorption: Caffeine can hamper your body¡¯s ability to absorb essential nutrients like iron and calcium. These nutrients are crucial for the production of hormones and fertility.

What are the effects of caffeine on the overall body?

Excessive caffeine intake can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, highlights, ¡°It can lead to side effects like confusion due to overstimulation, persistent headache, mood swings, increased blood pressure, frequent urge to urinate, diarrhoea, muscle aches, feeling restless, difficulty in sleeping, decreased appetite, heartburn, rapid heart rate, nausea, episodes of vomiting, dehydration, sudden rise in body temperature, and trembling hands.¡±

Too much caffeine in your body may not be good for your bones, as it can interfere with calcium absorption, making them weak. This is why it becomes crucial to drink caffeine mindfully.

How to drink coffee mindfully

Try substituting caffeine with healthy alternatives like green tea, coconut water, fruits, or vegetable juice. ¡°Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks right before going to bed. You shouldn¡¯t drink more than a small cup of coffee a day. Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks regularly; instead, drink them once or twice weekly. If you feel uneasy or sick after drinking caffeine, then cutting down on caffeine can be helpful,¡± suggests Dr. Agarwal.