Why Fertility Clinics Recommend Limiting Caffeine and Alcohol—and What’s Safe

Why Fertility Clinics Recommend Limiting Caffeine and Alcohol—and What’s Safe

When you’re trying to conceive—whether naturally or through fertility treatment—it’s common to start questioning your daily habits. Two of the most frequent questions we hear at University Reproductive Associates (URA) are:

• “Do I have to give up coffee?”
• “Can I still enjoy a glass of wine?”

The short answer: moderation matters—and knowing what's safe can help you make confident choices without unnecessary stress.

Let’s take a closer look at what the science says about caffeine, alcohol, and fertility.

Caffeine and Fertility: How Much Is Too Much?

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and even some over-the-counter medications. While it’s generally safe in low to moderate amounts, excessive caffeine intake has been linked to reduced fertility and increased risk of miscarriage.

High Caffeine Intake May:

• Interfere with ovulation
• Disrupt estrogen levels
• Increase the time it takes to get pregnant
• Raise the risk of early pregnancy loss

What's Considered Safe?

Most fertility experts—including the team at URA—recommend limiting caffeine to 200 mg per day while trying to conceive. That’s about:

• One 12-ounce cup of coffee
• Or two cups of tea

If you’re undergoing IVF or are particularly sensitive to hormonal fluctuations, your doctor may suggest cutting back even further.

Alcohol and Fertility: What You Need to Know

Unlike caffeine, alcohol has more clear and consistent links to reduced fertility in both men and women.

In Women:

• Even moderate drinking (as little as 1–5 drinks per week) may impact ovulation and hormone levels
• Alcohol use can lower IVF success rates
• Alcohol use during early pregnancy (even before you know you’re pregnant) may increase the risk of miscarriage

In Men:

• Alcohol can decrease sperm count and motility
• It may also lead to DNA fragmentation in sperm, which can affect embryo quality

How Much Alcohol Is Safe While Trying to Conceive?

Most fertility clinics, including URA, recommend avoiding alcohol altogether once you’re actively trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment. That’s because:

• You may become pregnant and not know it immediately
• Alcohol can interfere with hormonal balance and egg/sperm quality
• There's no known "safe" amount of alcohol in early pregnancy

If you do choose to drink occasionally, limit to no more than one standard drink per day, and avoid drinking during the second half of your cycle or during IVF stimulation and embryo transfer.

What About During Fertility Treatment?

If you're preparing for or undergoing IUI, IVF, or embryo transfer, both partners should aim to be in the best possible health—and that includes cutting back or eliminating alcohol and caffeine.

Your body is working hard, and even small lifestyle adjustments can improve your chances of success.

Supporting Your Fertility with Simple Lifestyle Changes

You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Small, sustainable changes—like swapping one cup of coffee for herbal tea, or choosing a mocktail instead of wine—can support your reproductive health without adding stress to your routine.

At URA, we’re here to help you understand what changes truly matter, and which ones are rooted in outdated myths or unnecessary worry.