What is the Connection Between Caffeine and Fertility?

Caffeine and fertility may be related because some studies suggest that women who take in more than 300 milligrams of caffeine each day could have up to a 30 percent less chance of conceiving than women who consume less than that. Amounts less than 300 milligrams do not appear to have any effect on fertility. More research may need to be conducted before the link between caffeine and fertility is absolute, but women who want to get pregnant might be better off to avoid consuming too much caffeine. Women who are pregnant may also need to stay away from caffeine because other studies have shown that caffeine consumption during pregnancy might increase the risk of miscarriage.

Women who want to get pregnant often try to do without caffeine completely. This can be very difficult because caffeine is addictive, and there are often unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that go along with giving it up. One of the most common caffeine withdrawal symptoms is a pounding headache. It is also not uncommon for a person to feel very groggy and tired when she is doing without caffeine. Most caffeine withdrawal symptoms disappear within a few weeks of doing without it, but that can be a long time for people who are struggling with the withdrawal symptoms.

The link between caffeine and fertility reduction is often enough to make many women try to give up caffeine all at once. Going cold turkey may not be the easiest way for some women to kick the habit because of the withdrawal. The symptoms may not be as severe if a woman tries to wean herself off of it slowly. One way to do this would be to start cutting back on how much coffee and soda is consumed every week little by little. After about one month, caffeine consumption should be down to a small enough amount that giving it up altogether doesn't cause severe withdrawal symptoms.

Even though there is reason to believe that caffeine and fertility do not mix well, amounts less than 300 milligrams are not typically cause for concern. If a woman does not wish to give caffeine up completely, it shouldn't be harmful as long as she has drastically cut back on it. Tea and hot chocolate do contain caffeine, but in much smaller amounts than coffees and sodas. These drinks might make good substitutes for other caffeinated beverages. Dark chocolate, which contains very small amounts of caffeine, might be another good option for a little extra energy during pregnancy without fear of taking in too much caffeine.