• Alyssa Fontaine, RD
• Aug 25, 2025

Can You Drink While Trying to Get Pregnant? A Dietitian’s Guide for Couples Trying to Conceive

For couples trying to conceive, this time can be filled with both excitement and uncertainty. So many questions come up! One common question that often comes up is: Can we drink alcohol while trying to get pregnant?

In this article, we’ll discuss what the research says about alcohol consumption and fertility. We’ll explore how drinking can affect both women and men. Lastly, we’ll provide practical tips to help guide you in this important chapter.

Is There a “Safe” Amount to Drink When Trying to Conceive?

Alcohol is a substance that people have been consuming for many years. It is known that no amount of alcohol during pregnancy is considered safe, but what about alcohol consumption before getting pregnant?

Research suggests that even low consumption of alcohol may impact a woman’s ability to get pregnant. The Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction states that there is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant. 

Does Alcohol Affect Fertility?

To give you a quick answer, yes alcohol does affect fertility in both men and women. 

In women, research shows that alcohol consumption can interfere with hormones in the body. Since hormones play an important role in the menstrual cycle, this can eventually lead to an irregular menstrual cycle and can make getting pregnant more challenging. 

Some studies have found that drinking as little as one alcoholic drink per week can be associated with:

• increased time to get pregnant, 
• a 50% drop in chances of getting pregnant,
• an elevated risk of miscarriage. 

Furthermore, drinking before conception has also been linked to increased risks of heart problems in the baby, postpartum depression, and other complications.

In men, a disruption in hormones is also observed in studies. Those studies show that alcohol can impact fertility by reducing the sperm quality and the sperm count. Chronic and excessive alcohol use can also damage the nervous system, and can eventually lead to erectile dysfunction. For reference, chronic and excessive alcohol use can be characterized by drinking more than eight standard drinks per week for a period of one year or more.

What is considered as one standard drink?

• 12 oz (341 mL) of beer 5% alcohol
• 12 oz (341 mL) of coolers, ciders, or other pre made drinks 5% alcohol
• 5 oz (142 mL) of wine 12% alcohol
• 1.5 oz (43 mL) of spirits (vodka, whiskey, gin, etc.) 40% alcohol

Risks Beyond Fertility

Even low to moderate alcohol consumption can come with risks that go beyond fertility. Many parts of the body are affected by alcohol, including:

• brain
• heart
• liver 
• lungs
• pancreas

In addition, alcohol use is linked to an increased risk of many types of cancers, such as :

• head, neck, and esophageal cancer
• liver cancer
• breast cancer
• colorectal cancer

Consistently drinking more than eight drinks per week over years can lead to malnutrition and prevent you from getting all the nutrients you need to stay healthy. Alcoholic drinks are often low in important nutrients and can be high in sodium and in sugar. For example, four ounces (120 mL) of pre-made bloody mary mix can contain around 600 milligrams of sodium, depending on the brand. As for sugar content in alcoholic beverages, manufacturers often leave out the nutrition label as they are not required to show it. Some alcoholic coolers can contain up to 30 grams of sugar per 12 oz can.

Non alcoholic drink options

• Water
• Sparkling water
• Flavoured water 
• Mocktails
• Smoothies

Practical Tips from a Dietitian

• Limit your alcohol intake to two drinks per week if you are not pregnant or not planning to be.
• Avoid alcohol completely during the preconception period and during pregnancy.
• Choose water as your drink of choice.
• Focus on nourishing your body with a balanced diet. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean protein sources.
• Consider taking a multivitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid, or a supplement of 400 to 600 mcg per day, three months prior to pregnancy to promote a healthy pregnancy.

For personalized preconception nutrition information, visit The Family Dietitians Website.