Caffeine and Fertility?…

Do I or don’t I?

Comment – “Complementary Therapists recommend that you should cut out caffeine altogether when trying to conceive as it can reduce your changes of fertility” (there is also some evidence to say that it can increase the risk of miscarriage).

The problem with this statement is that it is rather generalised and does not provide an explanation.  So where does this leave the ‘fertility’ argument? And why or how does it affect our endocrine system?..

Firstly caffeine is found in coffee, tea and chocolate – (the most common offenders), but it is also present in a greater number of products these days – including fizzy drinks, face and body products and cold/cough remedies.  As an ingredient it must be marked on the packaging – look out for this – you’ll be amazed at how many face creams, under eye creams and body products (especially those for firming and toning) contain caffeine.

Secondly the affect of caffeine in our system is not always obvious.  The obvious ones are feeling shaky, having an increased heart rate,  an inability to focus or concentrate and an inability to sleep.  The main mild reaction (often enjoyed) is that it stimulates us and gives us a bit more ‘get up and go’.. but the unseen reactions can be found in our monthly cycle (this is also true of sugar and alcohol).  If you were to temperature chart your cycle for a month where you consumed caffeine products versus a month without caffeine products, the result is likely, depending on the quantities consumed, to be significantly different i.e. the caffeine cycle appears more erratic and imbalanced with greater increase in irregularity and PMT/PMS symptoms.   Thus demonstrating the affect on the flow and health of the cycle and its potential impact on fertility.

So what does the caffeine do to the body?  In essence it stimulates (that’s the bit we like!) the adrenal glands – which are part of the complex hormonal system, the Endocrine System, and the body has to respond to rebalance the system again.  In short quantities or bursts of caffeine, the effect may be slight and have no real bearing on the system, but in larger quantities or to a more sensitive system, the effects can be great.  It is therefore dependent on the reaction of the individual.  In effect, it stresses the body and we know that stress is definitely an underlying problem in fertility.

So, do you give it up altogether or reduce it?  The general consensus appears to be that one cup of coffee per day is acceptable but additional cups or other caffeine in the form of chocolate and the products mentioned above will potentially impact on your hormonal cycle and, for that matter, on your health and well-being in general….

This is also relevant in Peri-menopause (the run up to Menopause) where the hormonal system is naturally changing and fluctuating and additional stimulation can cause more extreme reactions – but this, is another story, for another post!!