(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Women with alcohol dependence (AD) may end up
having fertility problems.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine finds alcohol use in
both teenage and adult females can cause reproductive dysfunctions. AD in women
is associated with delayed reproduction. Reproductive dysfunctions include
menstrual disorders, sexual dysfunctions, and pregnancy complications including
spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.
The report analyzed data on two groups of Australian twins born between
1893-1964 (3,634 female and 1,880 male twins) and 1964-1971 (3,381 female and
2,748 male twins). They found alcoholic women in both groups had delayed
reproduction. There was little to no effect in the men.
Researchers say the difference may be because women reach higher blood alcohol
concentrations than men while drinking similar amounts of alcohol. This may
contribute to a stronger link between drinking and reproductive problems in
women. It may also be that there is more research on the negative effects of
alcohol use on female reproduction than on the effects on male reproduction.
“Young women who drink alcohol may want to consider the longer-term consequences
for later childbearing,” study author, Mary Waldron, Washington University
School of Medicine, was quoted as saying. “If drinking continues or increases to
levels of problem use, their ability and/or opportunity to have children may be
impaired.”
Researchers also say the findings should be a warning to women who already have
reproductive problems not to use alcohol to cope. They say alcohol would
probably make the reproductive problems worse as well as risk alcohol abuse or
dependence.
SOURCE: Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, published online August
20, 2008
